Childminder in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY431704 Inspection date 14/05/2012 Inspector Christine Walker

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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 2010 and lives with her partner in Stannington, Sheffield. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with toilet facilities located on this floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. There are steps from the gate and to the front door. The family has a dog. There are local amenities close by, including a park, schools and shops. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and nurseries.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She provides care throughout the year on weekdays from 7.30am to 6.30pm. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, three of whom may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children on roll in this age group who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She attends a local playgroup regularly and also takes children to the local library, shops and for walks in the nearby woods. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is currently undertaking a relevant level 3 childcare qualification.

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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 making good progress in their learning and development and are happy and settled because the childminder knows their individual needs well. All required documentation is in place, which ensures children are well safeguarded and the premises are secure. Comprehensive policies and procedures are clear and risk assessments are in place. The childminder works well with parents to promote consistency of care for the children, which ensures their individual needs are met. Children's learning is mostly well supported by planning, observation and assessment. The childminder has a good capacity for continuous improvement and evaluates her provision to improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop planning, observation and assessments in order to consistently plan for the next steps in children learning and development  develop evaluation of activities to improve the learning outcomes for children. 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 well protected because the childminder has a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and has effective procedures in place to manage any concerns she may have. She has written child protection policies to inform her practice. These are detailed and well thought out. Good documentation is in place to promote the safe management of the setting. Children's records contain all of the required information to ensure their welfare. The childminder has an emergency evacuation plan, which is practised with the children regularly, and holds a paediatric first aid certificate. She makes daily visual checks of the home and garden and has detailed risk assessments in place to ensure that the environment is safe for children. The garden is fenced and the front door and back doors are kept locked at all times. The dog is not left unsupervised with the children. These measures help to provide a safe environment for the children to

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the early years provision

play and successfully promote their welfare.

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the early years provision

The childminder supports individual children's learning effectively, both indoors and out. The broad range of activities available provide good levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development. The environment is well organised and accessible to the children, giving them autonomy to choose activities for themselves. For example, they play with the trains then choose to play outdoors with the sit-and-ride car. The childminder evaluates her provision, is aware of her strengths and weaknesses, and looks for ways to improve her service, such as, auditing gaps in her resources and then providing the activity in a different way. For instance, water play is provided by using a range of buckets, bowls, guttering and jugs. Children have opportunities to learn about diversity from a range of resources and activities, for example, books, dolls and games depicting the diversity in our society.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms close working relationships with parents and carers. She obtains useful information about each child, such as dietary requirements and daily routines. This ensures that parents' wishes and children's individual needs are effectively met. The childminder and parents share important information about children's starting points and progress. This means that parents can become involved in their child's learning and each child is well supported in making progress towards the early learning goals. Effective relationships with other professionals involved with the children are well established and contribute well to supporting children's welfare and learning. The childminder is also developing appropriate links with other early years providers involved with the children. She offers sensitive support to children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. This means that the individual needs of all children are met and all

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the early years provision

children are included fully in the life of the setting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a clean and well-maintained home. The childminder has a warm and friendly approach and she provides a caring and comfortable environment in which children feel safe. This enables them to develop independence in a homely setting. Children snuggle up on her lap for a cuddle. Their good health is promoted by the childminder, and good hygiene routines are in place. Children readily wash their hands before a snack and at meal times because good hand washing routines are established. The childminder provides healthy snacks of fresh fruit, and main meals are provided by parents. Drinks are always available to keep children hydrated.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals because the childminder provides activities based on their interests. She provides a balance of adult-led and child-led activities, allowing the children to make independent choices in their play. For example, they play with the train set and then draw. The childminder undertakes observations, some of which include children's next steps in learning and development. These show links to the Early Years Foundation Stage and are recorded in the children's folders, along with samples of their artwork. However, observation, planning and assessment systems are not yet fully interlinked. This means that children's next steps are not always effectively planned for. The childminder reflects on the activities she provides, however, she does not currently evaluate them fully to improve learning outcomes.

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and outcomes for children

Children's language skills are encouraged because the childminder talks to them, encouraging their vocabulary and conversational skills and modelling their words. Younger children use gestures and hold her hand to get her attention. The childminder is currently focusing on activities to develop children's language. The children have access to a variety of toys and equipment, for example, when drawing, they can choose from a variety of mark-making equipment which allows them to develop small movement and coordination skills. This successfully contributes to their development. Children count beads on the maze and carriages on the train and identify number templates, all of which contribute to their understanding of number. Children are also gaining relevant problem-solving skills and good skills in technology as they access a range of battery operated toys, jigsaws and games. Children play in the garden and have opportunities with a

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and outcomes for children

variety of balls, large trucks, a pop-up tunnel, a see-saw and a sit-and-ride car. The childminder regularly takes the children to the local woods to provide opportunities for fresh air and exercise. This means they have access to a good range of physical play experiences to develop their physical skills and encourage them to use their bodies and stay fit and healthy.

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and outcomes for children

Praise and encouragement from the childminder ensures the children develop high levels of self-esteem. They behave well in the setting because the childminder gives clear explanations and sets appropriate boundaries. Children are encouraged to have good manners. They are developing a respect for themselves and others because the childminder is a good role model. Children visit the local playgroup This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 regularly, which gives them a sense of belonging in the local community. They are developing skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being. 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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