Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 252638 Inspection date 03 April 2006 Inspector Cheryl Wilson

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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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 Standards Act 2000 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.

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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.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1996. She lives with her husband and 2 teenage adult children in Mansfield Woodhouse in Nottinghamshire. The family keep a pet dog. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes with sleep facilities being provided within these areas. Children access the bathroom and toilet on the first floor of the home. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 10 children in total, with 5 of these being under the age of 8 years. Children attend for various sessions through the week or before and after school. The childminder walks or transports children to local schools to take and collect them.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 She visits local amenities such as play parks, book and toy libraries, toddler groups and shops. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds an early years qualification in childcare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy as the childminder follows her health and food policy to guide her effective practice. Children know about the importance of good personal hygiene as they wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. They receive a good explanation from the childminder that they need to do this to wash away the germs to stop them from getting poorly. Children's good health is further protected as they are cared for in a thoroughly clean and hygienic environment. The pet dog is kept at the rear of the home and the garden is regularly checked to protect children from cross contamination. All children are appropriately cared for if they become ill as parents are fully informed of the sickness exclusion policy. Children stay protected as the childminder has well organised systems in place when she is required to give medication. Good arrangements are in place to care for children who have a minor

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Helping children to be healthy

injury. The childminder is trained in administering first aid and has appropriate first aid items and permissions in place. Young children rest and sleep according to their needs as the childminder follows their usual routines. Children are beginning to learn about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and diet. They enjoy regular opportunities to be active. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and visits the local park to use climbing and balancing equipment. Children play organised ball games and use equipment such as tunnels and tents, ride on toys and hoops in the garden to develop their coordination, balance and agility. They enjoy bowling and having picnics outside in the fresh air. Babies and toddlers receive encouragement to make their first movements such as stretching and crawling to reach their toys or the childminder. Younger children are supported to take their first steps through holding hands with the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children recognise the need to have regular drinks as they access these through the daily routine. All children are supported in enjoying healthy food by assisting with the shopping and preparing their own lunches. They take pride in making their own pitta bread pockets with an assortment of fillings and salad. Children regularly enjoy fresh fruit for their snack and know these foods are good for them as the childminder helps them to understand the positive effects upon their growing bodies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a secure, well maintained and clean home. They stay safe as the childminder follows her clear policy to guide her effective practice in ensuring that any potential risks to children's safety are removed or addressed. Children receive appropriate supervision both indoors, outside and during outings to protect

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 their well-being. They learn to keep themselves safe as they hold the childminder's hand when out on walks and follow the simple rules of looking and listening when crossing roads. Children travel securely fastened into pushchairs or car seats that are appropriate to the weight and age of each child. Good fire safety systems are in place to protect children from harm. Smoke detectors are placed on both levels of the home and a fire blanket is readily available in the kitchen. Children regularly practise the emergency escape plan to ensure they can be evacuated calmly and quickly in the event of a fire. Children are protected from harm as the childminder has a secure knowledge of her responsibilities with regard to child protection. She has developed information in regard to current procedures to enable her to follow these if necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The documentation is shared with parents to build an effective partnership and maintain the interest of children at all times. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. It is very homely and attractive, with comfortable furniture to sit on and a table and breakfast bar to eat at. Effective use of the ground floor provides an easily supervised space for children to rest and relax or move freely between play activities. Toys are carefully organised prior to the children arriving enabling them to make independent choices in their play. Items used by the children are in good, clean and safe condition.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident, happy and settled in the childminder's home. They receive close comfort from the childminder to support their emotional needs and sense of security. Children enjoy making choices of what to play with from the good selection of toys, games and role play materials. All ages of children acquire new knowledge and skills as the childminder has a good understanding of each child's stage of development. She uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework to confirm her practice with young children. Children's learning is effectively developed through the high quality interactions between themselves and the childminder. For example, as children share books and stories, the childminder asks lots of questions to encourage both their vocabulary and their early communication skills. Children's mathematical knowledge is encouraged through participating in practical activities such as counting

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

stairs, weighing and measuring as they bake, looking at numbers in the supermarket and using money as they pay for their shopping. Young children enjoy taking on new roles as they dress up in a variety of outfits. The childminder develops their self-esteem through making lots of positive comments about their new appearance and celebrates this through looking in the mirror together. Children play cooperatively together, taking turns and sharing fairly. They take part in lots of cooking activities to give them opportunities to explore texture, and then change, through mixing and baking the ingredients. All ages of children spend a balanced amount of time benefiting from playing outdoors in the fresh air. During the summer months they participate in lots of educational visits as part of the local childminding support group. Children draw pictures and write enthusiastic accounts of their outings to a local

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

windmill, woodland park, animal farm, science museum and adventure park. They are particularly enthusiastic about experiencing the element of fire at the science museum and seeing how grains of wheat turn into bread at the windmill.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled in the friendly environment. They have their individual needs addressed well as the childminder develops a very positive partnership with parents. Detailed information is exchanged with them during the initial placement and ongoing through daily discussion and a daily diary. This ensures that children are cared for in regard to their usual routines. Parents give their written consent for the childminder to take children's photographs, go out on walks and travel in a vehicle. Children demonstrate good behaviour in the home as the childminder rewards this with lots of praise. Any unwanted behaviour is dealt with according to each child's age and level of understanding. Parents agree to the methods used to manage children's behaviour to promote consistency. As a result children develop a knowledge of what is acceptable behaviour. Children become aware of the wider society and have respect for others as they

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Helping children make a positive contribution

engage in planned activities and use materials that reflect positive images of diversity. For example, children find out about Chinese traditions through looking at books, tasting foods, dressing in traditional Chinese costumes and celebrating Chinese New Year. Children share books about children who are 'special' and regularly visit the local special school to use the toy library, hydrotherapy pool and sensory room. As a result children begin to form positive views towards similarities and differences. The childminder has a good practical knowledge of ways to include children with additional needs into the setting. She works with parents and health professionals to follow children's speech programmes to support their language development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare and development is actively promoted because the childminder is professional and strives to improve the service she offers to families. Although the childminder has a wealth of childminding experience she has attended college to gain a level three qualification in childcare and education. Children's first aid needs are suitably addressed as the childminder has attended the required training. This demonstrates her commitment to improving her own skills to benefit the care, learning and play for the children. All children experience continuity in their care as the childminder collates relevant information to meet their needs. She supports written information by arranging regular discussions with parents to promote children's ongoing welfare. Parents are kept fully informed of the childminding service as they have access to an informative portfolio of well written policies and

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Organisation

procedures. The childminder has a clear complaints policy for parents to follow, however, she has not yet implemented a system to record any concerns that parents may raise. The childminder organises her time well to enable children to receive some individual attention which helps them to feel at ease and valued. Confidentiality is maintained to protect children's privacy and dignity. The childminder ensures that the regulator is kept fully informed of all relevant matters. Overall the provision meets

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last childcare inspection a recommendation was raised to develop the resources that reflect positive images of disability. The childminder has taken very positive steps to address the recommendation and as a result children now share books about children who are 'special' and use play people that show images of children and adults with physical disabilities. All ages of children attending the setting regularly visit the local special school to use the toy library, hydrotherapy pool and sensory room. As a result children begin to appreciate and value each other's similarities and differences.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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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): • implement a system to record any concerns raised by parents.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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