Childminder in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY440603 Inspection date 04/07/2012 Inspector Lucy Showell

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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 2012. She lives with her husband and children aged seven and four years in Handsworth, Sheffield. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre- schools. The family has two goldfish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom, two may be in the early years age group. There is currently one child attending who is within the early years age range. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. 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

Children are cared for in a relaxed and homely environment. The childminder works effectively with parents to ensure that all children's needs are inclusively met and individual routines are followed with regard to their requirements and preferences. As a result, the childminder understands and values the individuality of each child in her care. Children are making good progress in their learning because they enjoy some suitably organised and stimulating activities. The childminder demonstrates a generally good understanding of her role and responsibilities. She has a good capacity for continuous improvement through effectively evaluating her practice and attending relevant training to develop her knowledge and skills further.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve access to resources that help children become aware of, explore and question differences in gender, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, special educational needs and disability issues  increase awareness of responsibilities under the food hygiene legislation including registration with the relevant Local Authority Environmental Health Department.

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the early years provision

Children's safety is secured by the childminder who has an effective understanding of her role and responsibility regarding safeguarding procedures. All relevant contact details and guidance documents are in place and shared with parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 These systems ensure that the childminder has a clear understanding of the signs of possible abuse. The childminder maintains clear documentation to ensure the smooth running of her provision. This includes a good range of robust policies and procedures. Also registration and insurance certificates are clearly displayed. The childminder has a clear knowledge of her responsibilities with regard to conditions of registration and she meets all welfare requirements within the Early Years Foundation Stage. All necessary records are maintained for hours of attendance, medication, accidents and existing injuries and all parental consents are in place.

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the early years provision

Suitability checks are completed for all adults living in the house and identification is requested for all visitors, which enhances children's safety.

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the early years provision

Space and equipment are organised well and the childminder checks her home regularly to ensure that hazards to children are kept to a minimum. For example, the house is secure and resources are suitable and safe for the ages of children attending. Children's safety is further secured because clear and detailed risk assessments are conducted and records of the checks and any actions taken are effectively maintained. The childminder has recently started to assess her provision using the Ofsted evaluation document. She is successfully exploring how this procedure can be used as an ongoing system to continually improve the quality of the provision for the children that she cares for. The childminder shows a keen interest in developing her skills and knowledge further, using information gained at additional training and through discussing best practice with other childcare professionals.

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the early years provision

The childminder regularly reviews her documentation and checks the quality and suitability of resources to ensure sustainability of her provision. The childminder is fully aware of her responsibility to communicate effectively with professionals providing care for children at other settings. She demonstrates this through her well-established relationship with the staff at the local school. She works well with parents by providing useful information about her services. The childminder obtains valuable information from parents before care commences regarding their children's individual health and welfare needs. Also daily news is shared effectively. Parents' opinions are requested as part of the ongoing evaluation process and to show their appreciation of the childminder. Recent comments include: 'My child clearly enjoys spending time with the childminder and her family which is a credit to her'... 'The childminder is professional at all times and demonstrates empathy

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the early years provision

and warmth and my child is very happy in her care.'

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident and settled in this warm and welcoming environment. Their sense of belonging is promoted as they are encouraged to self-select from the toys available, which are age-appropriate. However, most of the resources are gender specific and do not fully promote positive images of diversity. There are currently no children attending with either English as an additional language or special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, the childminder has a good knowledge regarding supporting children and would adapt activities accordingly. Children learn the importance of keeping safe as they are helped to assess their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 own surroundings and take manageable risks. The childminder adopts a calm approach, encouraging good behaviour through gentle reminders during play and opportunities to share and take turns with favourite resources. Space is organised

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and outcomes for children

effectively and provides children with opportunities for messy play, free and physical activities and relaxation or sleep.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy meals and snacks provided by their parents and the childminder ensures that these are stored and served appropriately. However, she has not yet registered with the relevant Local Authority Environmental Health Department. She has a good understanding of any special dietary needs and ensures that these are met. Children have free access to individual drinks throughout the day, which is monitored by the childminder to ensure that they are suitably hydrated. Their individual care needs are supported well through well-established and effective nappy changing procedures. Children show a developing awareness of their personal hygiene as they wash their hands thoroughly before meals and the childminder talks with them about washing away the germs, so they do not get poorly tummies.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of the children in her care and fosters their individual needs effectively. Valuable observations, both planned and spontaneous, are recorded and linked to the six areas of learning and development. Next steps are clearly identified by the childminder and children's parents. Also children's progression is evaluated and recorded to show their learning. The childminder liaises effectively with parents gaining ongoing information about their child's abilities and interests. She continues to build on this through sharing good examples of children's work and photographs of various fun activities at the setting and on outings.

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and outcomes for children

There is a good balance of adult-led and freely-chosen or child-initiated activities. Children use the space available well as they select favourite resources. For example, they explore and investigate the different activity toys from the low-level storage. The childminder interacts well with the children asking age-appropriate questions and responding positively to their actions with plenty of praise and encouragement. She promotes counting, matching and sorting skills as they play with the jigsaw pieces and children copy new vocabulary appropriate to their age and stage as they look at books together. Children develop good physical skills as they negotiate around the furniture, taking more risky steps as their confidence increases. There is a happy and caring atmosphere where minded children mix well with the childminder's own children, providing a relaxed family feel. Trips to the local groups and collecting older children from school provide children with a

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and outcomes for children

developing awareness of their community and increasing knowledge of the wider world. 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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