Nunn Sarah

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY101016 Inspection date 27 April 2006 Inspector Anne Walker

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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 2001. She lives with her husband in Sutton in Ashfield, north Nottinghamshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with toilet facilities at this level. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 4 children under 5, some of whom attend part time. The childminder walks to the local school and nursery to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and other community activities. The family have a dog and rabbit. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local childminder support group.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, comfortable environment. Good hygiene measures when changing nappies or managing children's access to the animals in the household, suitably minimises the spread of germs and promotes children's health. Through daily routines pre-school children learn how to care for themselves, washing their hands before lunch and after using the toilet. Planned activities encourage them to become aware of how to safeguard their health through the seasons, wearing sun hats and cream in the summer and warm clothing in the winter. The snacks and meals provided for children have regard to healthy eating. Fresh fruit and salad items such as tomatoes and cucumber are provided daily. The children's interest in food is fostered. They are encouraged to try new tastes, to express their likes and dislikes and become aware of the importance of food to their health. Toddlers are settled and content because their individual feeding routines are

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Helping children to be healthy

addressed. Children are provided with regular drinks so that they remain alert and hydrated. There are a range of activities provided that enable children to play actively and develop physical skills. The young children attend a local dance and exercise class, they play in the local park and the garden. Children of nursery and school age walk to and from school as part of their daily routines. This helps them understand the benefits of walking as part of a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are able to play safely in the home because suitable measures are in place such as locked cupboards, clear floor space and stair gates. Good attention is paid to supervising children at all times so that they are remain safe as they play, have their meals and rest. As they walk to and from nursery children learn about road safety through discussion and the expectations set by their carer. Themed play activities such as 'People who help us', begin to develop children's sense of their own safety in the wider world. The children use a range of good quality, safe play materials. Space in the home and the play materials are organised so that they are developmentally appropriate to each age group in order that babies and toddlers are not exposed to items that may cause them harm. The conservatory adjoining the main room is used for older children who may have scissors, Lego and so on. Equipment is in good condition and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

ensures that children can safely rest, play and take part in outings. Children are protected from harm because the childminder has a secure knowledge of her responsibilities with regard to child protection. Written information is shared with parents to ensure that they work together to maintain the interests of children at

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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 all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The daily routine is child centred and takes account of individual needs with regard to rest, play and meals. Children take part in a range of stimulating activities within the local community. These include, toddler groups, story time at the library and a dance class. This also provides them with regular opportunities to mix and socialise with a wider group of their peers. There is a good balance to their day so that older children who may have been at nursery in the morning are able to play in a home environment. The play materials are organised so that they can make choices in their play, explore at their own pace and practise and consolidate new skills. Children are confident in their environment. Older pre-school children initiate play ideas and are able to work cooperatively together to build and construct with bricks, complete jigsaws or play snap. Toddlers are settled and happy because their individual needs are recognised

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and acted upon. All of the children benefit from the close interaction with their carer who spends time playing alongside them, fostering their language and mathematical thinking appropriate to their individual stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from the high regard given to them as individuals. There is a wide range of well written policies and procedures shared with parents as well as clear initial records and regular, ongoing communication, providing children with consistent care. As a result the children of varying ages demonstrate a strong sense of well-being and security in their environment. They are relaxed and at home, helping themselves to play materials, using the bathroom independently, or talking together over lunch. They confidently make their needs known to each other and their carer because there is a sense of established trust and respect. Toddlers contentedly watch and observe older children at play, sometimes joining in alongside them or confidently selecting from their own play box and exploring their environment with the help and support of the childminder. The childminder actively fosters children's respect for themselves and others in a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

range of ways. Positive behaviour management strategies take account of each child's personality and level of understanding and enable them to express feelings safely, gradually learning how to manage themselves. A scrapbook has been developed with pictures of people from different cultures, generations, with disabilities and reflecting men and women in varying roles. It is used with all the children in a variety ways. They may make up stories from the pictures, use it to talk about feelings or particular significant events in their lives such as a new baby. Consequently, older children understand the needs of their peers as well as the younger children. All the children are warm and affectionate with each other and their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 carer. They have access to a range of toys and books that develop their awareness of their wider world and help them recognise and value peoples similarities and differences.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's welfare and development is effectively promoted because of the good consideration to organising the home to meet their needs which makes them feel welcome and valued. The childminder has a positive attitude to training and developing her professional skills in order to continue to improve the care provided for children. A first aid qualification has been maintained. Most written documentation is in order and used to underpin the day-to-day running of the setting and to demonstrate that the provider maintains her registration conditions. The exception to this is the daily attendance register that does not always clearly show the times children arrive and depart. All records are suitably organised and readily available to the childminder and inspector but are completed and stored in a manner that protects children and families confidentiality. The childminder is

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Organisation

meeting the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection it was recommended that the provider improve systems for recording incidents. Clear record keeping is in place to ensure that all significant events that may occur to a child during the day are noted. This enables the childminder and parents to communicate effectively to meet children's needs.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since April 2004. 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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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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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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 the attendance records more clearly record the times of children's arrival and departure on a daily basis.

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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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