Childminder in Rotherham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 303047 Inspection date 31/05/2012 Inspector Helen Blackburn

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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 1993. She lives with her teenage daughter in the Kimberworth area of Rotherham. There are shops, parks, schools and public transport links in the local area. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder has three cats as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom, no more than three may be in the early years age range and of whom, no more than one may be under one year old. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is currently caring for four children, of whom two are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and nursery. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

The childminder has good relationships with parents, children and others involved in their care and learning. The childminder provides a safe and clean learning environment for children to play. Children are happy and overall, the childminder's approach to observation and assessment supports their progression well. The childminder's approach to managing children's behaviour is good and she encourages them to have a positive regard for all people in society. A good range of documentation, policies and procedures are in place to promote the safe management of the setting. The childminder's ambition and commitment to improve is good and overall, her approach to self-evaluation supports her in monitoring her service.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve self-evaluation processes to ensure systems support the identification of clear and targeted priorities for development  improve how observations are matched to the expectations of the early learning goals, so that the approach supports identifying targeted learning priorities for individual children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively promotes and safeguards children's welfare. She has a good understanding of her responsibilities in protecting children from harm. For example, she fully understands which agencies she must notify if she has concerns and her awareness of potential signs of abuse and neglect is good. All adults living on the premises complete appropriate checks and the childminder supervises any visitors to the home. This means that she puts in place good precautions to protect children from harm. The childminder maintains a good range of documentation, policies and procedures to ensure that she meets requirements. This contributes to the safe and efficient management of the setting. For example, her written policies clearly outline how she safeguards children, manages their behaviour, deals with complaints and promotes equality. The childminder provides a safe and clean learning environment for children to play. She effectively manages this because

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the early years provision

she carries out regular safety checks, conducts detailed risk assessments and adopts systematic cleaning routines. The childminder organises her resources well, so that children can make safe and independent choices in their play. For example, she organises activities at child height and she maintains resources in good working order. The childminder makes good use of resources within the local community to extend children's experiences. For example, children enjoy going for picnics at the park and they like to visit the library and indoor play centres.

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the early years provision

The childminder's commitment, ambition and drive to improving her service are good. Overall, she makes good use of self-evaluation to help monitor her service. As a result, she is full of ideas of how she can improve outcomes for children, such as developing her outdoor area. However, there are some gaps in the self- evaluation process around how the childminder prioritises the areas she identifies for improvement. The childminder's approach to self-evaluation is inclusive. This is because she seeks the views of children, parents and other professionals. In addition, the childminder demonstrates her capacity to improve by addressing all the recommendations from her last inspection. For example, by accessing training, she has retained an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding issues. This contributes to keeping children safe.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good relationships with the parents. For example, through sharing relevant information, the childminder knows children well, which means that she meets their individual needs. Through discussions, daily diaries, written policies and procedures, parents receive good quality information about their child's day and the service provided. In addition, parents have regular access to their child's progress records and the childminder encourages their feedback and comments. The childminder works well with any professionals, agencies or other settings involved in children's learning, such as school. This promotes continuity for children and ensures that they receive any additional support and help which they may need. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has good relationships with the children and she effectively meets their individual needs. In addition to these positive relationships, the childminder provides routine and continuity for children. This contributes to children feeling safe in her care. Children are developing a good understanding of how they can keep themselves safe. For example, they routinely practise road safety on outings and they learn how to use equipment in safe ways, such as using scissors. Through everyday routines, such as hand washing, children have a good understanding of why they need to adopt effective personal hygiene practices. The childminder supplements the meals parents provide with healthy snacks. This supports children's healthy growth. In addition, through books, discussions, preparing food and baking, children have good opportunities to learn about the importance of making healthy choices. Children take part in a wide range of

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and outcomes for children

physical activities. For example, they go on walks, visit local parks and enjoy playing in the garden. This promotes children's physical development and encourages them to lead a healthy lifestyle.

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and outcomes for children

Overall, the childminder has a good understanding of the principles of observation, assessment and planning. This enables her to support children in making good progress in their learning. For example, she carries out daily observations and she uses this information to plan a good range of activities. However, the childminder has introduced a new approach to how she matches her observations to the expectations of the early learning goals. As a result, she is still developing how she uses the information from these assessments to support her in identifying targeted learning priorities for individual children. The childminder provides a welcoming and fun learning environment where children access a good range of activities across all areas of learning. This includes incorporating children's likes, which results in them being happy and enthusiastic learners. For example, children express their creativity as they create models with the dough. They use their

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and outcomes for children

imagination as they play in the tent and use magnifying glasses to explore and find the bugs. In addition, children have good opportunities to develop their language, literacy and number skills. For example, they mark off the insects they have found on their charts, count with confidence in everyday situations and enjoy singing songs and rhymes.

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and outcomes for children

The children behave well and they know what the childminder expects of them because she provides consistent routines and boundaries. Through play and discussions, children learn about right, wrong and good manners, such as sharing and taking turns. This supports children in developing positive relationships with others. Through praise and celebrating achievements, the children have a positive self-image and good self-esteem. Through activities, resources and celebrating different festivals and events, children are encouraged to embrace all aspects of diversity and difference. For example, they learn about differences in culture, gender, region and disability. This encourages children to develop a respectful and positive attitude towards all people in society. 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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