Inspection report for early years provision Unique Reference Number Inspection date Inspector 300285 04 May 2006 Carolyn Gifford Type of inspection Type of care Childcare Childminding
ABOUT THIS INSPECTION The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later. The key inspection judgements and what they mean Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection: The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT? The childminder was registered in 1990. She lives with her husband and adult son in Sheffield. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years old. The childminder walks and drives to local schools and pre-school facilities to take and collect children. The family does not have any pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION Helping children to be healthy The provision is good. Children's health is effectively promoted as information is requested from parents and recorded to ensure the childminder meets children's individual needs. Children stay healthy because they are cared for in a clean, well-maintained home where they learn simple, good hygiene practices. For instance, children are encouraged to wash their hands before food and after messy activities and they show a high level of awareness of the reasons why this is important. Children are further protected from illness and infection as the childminder works cooperatively with parents to ensure that children with infectious illnesses stay at home. Children enjoy a healthy diet and learn about which foods are good for them through discussions and games. They show a good understanding of healthy eating and are able to talk about and describe the types of foods which are good for them and those which are not. Children participate in a comprehensive range of physical activities, which helps them develop confidence and control in their movements. They are able to freely access all of the ground floor of the house and enjoy outdoor play and outings, such as walks around the area, to the local library and to pre-school facilities. Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept safe because they are cared for in a child friendly home where most risks are identified and minimised. However, the fire blanket is still in its original wrapping and is not secured to the wall in the kitchen. Children learn to avoid accidental injury and keep themselves safe as the childminder teaches them safe practice, for example, when crossing roads children are encouraged to tell the childminder when they think it is safe to cross. Fire drills are practised on a regular basis and children are able to talk about the procedure for emergency evacuation. Effective use of all available space ensures children are comfortable and have room to move around freely and safely and therefore able to develop independent skills. Children have access to a fully enclosed outdoor play area, which is secure and well maintained. Toys are stored in the areas used for play and children are able to choose activities and equipment freely and safely. The childminder reviews resources regularly to ensure they remain safe and appropriate to individual children's ages, abilities and interests. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has secure knowledge of child protection issues via recent training. Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do The provision is good. Children thoroughly enjoy the time they spend in the childminder's care as she provides an interesting and stimulating range of activities. Resources and equipment are organised and
used very well, which encourages children to spend their time purposefully and to learn through play. Children are motivated, interested and interact very well with each other and with the childminder. Activities provide a high level of challenge, for example, listening and matching games encourage children to link sounds with pictures. Children are well supported in their play as the childminder involves herself with the children and helps them to begin problem solving and learn early mathematics skills. Children enjoy lots of praise and encouragement, are happy and settled and have good all round relationships within the environment. They are secure and content in the childminder's care because she is kind, affectionate and engages playfully with them. For example, she talks gently, gives cuddles, joins in with singing and listens to what the children have to say. Children's early communication skills are nurtured as the childminder responds to what they say and do with smiles and lots of eye contact. Helping children make a positive contribution The provision is good. Children show a strong sense of belonging as they are warmly welcomed into the familiar environment of the childminder's home. They are comfortable and at ease, moving around freely and confidently choosing what they want to do. Children are helped to feel good about themselves because the childminder values their achievements and uses lots of praise and encouragement. Behaviour of the children is good and behaviour management techniques are discussed with parents to ensure consistency of approach. This helps the children to understand expectations and to learn to manage their own behaviour. Children's needs are well met because partnership with parents is very effective. For example, the childminder talks to parents to find out what is important to them and their children and shares information on a daily basis. Children are encouraged to talk about their day and the activities they have enjoyed. Parents are well informed about the childcare and have access to the policies and procedures which underpin the quality of the childminding. Children follow the good role model of the childminder and are encouraged to show kindness, courtesy and consideration for others. Children are able to progress because the childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources, which increases children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. The childminder provides opportunities for children to enjoy shared experiences, such as eating together at the child-size table and to participate in games that encourage sharing and taking turns. Although the childminder has not had experience of caring for children who have special needs, she has a good understanding of the areas for consideration to ensure she meets the needs of all children attending.
Organisation The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised and ensures that all documentation is kept up to date, stored securely and yet readily available for inspection. Children's general well-being is promoted as there are very effective procedures for passing on information to parents through daily verbal communication. The clear policies and procedures enhance the provision of childcare and the childminder ensures that parents are aware of the procedure to follow if they have a complaint by including this in the written information she gives to all new parents. The childminder has extended her knowledge and understanding of child development by accessing further training and this is evident in her approach to her work and in the children's responses to her. Children's care, learning and play are very well supported because the childminder has a high regard to children's welfare. Children have the opportunity to engage in active play or relaxing activities according to their needs. The childminder does have due regard to the Birth to three matters framework, although she is not currently minding any children under the age of three years. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend. Improvements since the last inspection At the last inspection the childminder was asked to maintain a record of existing injuries. There is now evidence that procedures are in place to record existing injuries, which contributes to children's general welfare. Complaints since the last inspection There are no complaints to report. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted. THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection: The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT? The quality and standards of the care To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): ensure that the fire blanket is sited appropriately in the kitchen.
Any complaints about the inspection or the report should be made following the procedures set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk