Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY423416 Inspection date 25/04/2012 Inspector Helene Terry

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2011. He cares for children with his wife who is also registered. They live with their four children aged 10 months, eight, 14 and 17 years in a property in Mexborough, South Yorkshire. Areas of the home used for the children include the dining room, lounge and kitchen on the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor. The garden is used for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. When working with his co childminder this can increase to 11 children under eight years of age, of whom no more than five may be in the early years age range. At present, they have 11 children on roll between the ages of one and 12 years; most of whom attend for various sessions throughout the week. The childminder takes children to and from the local schools. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support from the local authority. The family pets include two dogs and a cat.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and secure in the childminder's care, and consequently make good progress in their learning. Well-considered arrangements are effectively implemented so children are kept safe from harm and their welfare is actively promoted. Good working partnerships have been developed with other professionals who provide the Early Years Foundation Stage and strong links with parents promote the sharing of relevant information and contribute to the good quality care provided. Systems for self-evaluation are effective in identifying areas for improvement and the childminder shows a good capacity to continually improve.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 ensure that details of fire evacuation drills are recorded in a fire log book including details of problems encountered and how they were resolved  develop further means of involving parents in contributing to the observations, assessment and planning for their child  analyse observations of children to help plan 'what next' for each child and ensure that all six areas of learning are clearly tracked over a period of time for each child. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded very well. The childminder shows a very clear understanding of the procedures to follow should he have concerns about a child in his care and all adults living in the home have been suitably vetted. The childminder carries out daily visual safety checks of the premises and maintains comprehensive risk assessment records that include those for outings. This contributes to the safe and efficient management of the setting. All the required documentation is maintained very well and is used to further protect the children. However, there is no record maintained of fire drills that are carried out with the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well motivated and strives to improve the service he provides. There are comprehensive written policies and procedures in place, covering all aspects of the setting. Play areas are well organised with resources accessible to children helping them develop independence and choice. Children's work is also displayed which helps children develop a sense of belonging.

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the early years provision

An inclusive and welcoming service is provided for all children. The childminder gathers information from parents to ensure he has a good awareness of each child's individual needs, for example toilet training takes place in accordance with parent's wishes. Daily communication indicates to parents, activities that their children participate in. Furthermore, they can observe their children's development records at any time. However, they are not currently encouraged to add their own observations of their children's development to these records, which has a potential impact on the two-way process in fostering children's development. The childminder shares information with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage that children attend to ensure a consistent approach to enhancing children's development.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows a positive attitude towards equality and diversity and children are encouraged to participate in the full range of activities. Children are learning to respect other people and their way of life and have access to a good range of resources to further develop their awareness and understanding of the wider world, including those with disabilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good capacity for improvement. Systems for self- evaluation are good as the childminder is able to identify his strengths and areas requiring improvement. Parents and children are encouraged to give their views about the provision as part of this process; this is done through parent questionnaires and discussions. This has resulted in some policies and procedures being reviewed and children helping to develop the menus, plan the actvities and be involved in house rules. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate they feel safe and secure in the childminder's home. They have a strong sense of belonging and are comfortable in their surroundings. The children attending know what is expected of them and can demonstrate a clear understanding of how to stay safe with guidance from the childminder. For example, they learn how to stay safe around dogs; learn about road safety on outings; learn to tidy up resources so that they do not fall and hurt themselves and they take part in the regular fire drills. Children have many good opportunities to learn about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Hygiene routines are followed very well as the childminder helps children to wash their hands at appropriate times throughout the day. Healthy meals and snacks are provided, which the children enjoy helping to prepare. For example, they make their own pizzas and sandwiches using their favourite foods. Drinks are accessible to them at all times

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and outcomes for children

Good quality interaction and well-organised routines help children to become secure and confident in the home. The childminder provides challenging, well- planned activities to occupy and stimulate the children attending. However, although he is completing effective observations and assessments on children, the next steps for development are not recorded and children are not tracked across all areas of learning to quickly identify any potential gaps in learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are given good opportunities to be creative, helping them to express their thoughts and feelings. They play with paint, glue and make collages and models, for example they enjoy making their own interpretation of daffodils to display on the wall. Young children learn about number skills, such as counting objects as they look at books and three-year-olds are beginning to write recognisable numbers. They talk about size whilst they play, demonstrated when a toddler tries to get into a small space and states that they are 'too big'. Children are well behaved, they follow the daily routine happily and are encouraged to use words, such as please and thank you. They learn to share and take turns and toddlers display care and concern for others as they kiss the baby and show affection. Children enjoy pressing buttons on electronic activities and 'pop up' toys as they explore how things work and happen. They learn about seasons, weather and life

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and outcomes for children

cycles as they grow seeds and talk about what is needed to make things grow. Children's communication and language skills are developing well. They constantly chat during their play, talking about their home life, what they are doing and going to do. Children enjoy books; they readily help themselves to them from the box and also enjoy looking at them with adults as they talk about what they see. Children delight in making dens from blankets and hiding in the tent. They laugh and giggle raucously as they play hide and seek with the childminder, showing great pleasure with the care that is provided. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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