Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY317715 Inspection date 24 April 2006 Inspector Angela Hufton

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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 satisfactory. 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 registered in 2005. She lives with her husband, 2 teenage children and school- aged child, in a detached chalet bungalow in village in the Newark and Sherwood area of Nottinghamshire. All areas of the home are available to minded children with toilet facilities on both levels and sleep provision on the ground floor. The childminder is registered to care for 6 children under 8 at any one time and currently cares for 3 children, including over 8's, all on a part-time basis. The home is close to local schools, shops, parks and other amenities. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable family home where sound hygiene arrangements help promote their good health and minimise risks of cross-infection. They learn about simple self-care practices within daily routines, for example washing hands after craft activities or before meals. Systematic arrangements are in place to share information on children's individual health needs and on any accidents. This enables the childminder and parents to work together to meet children's needs. Written parental consent is sought to obtain emergency medical treatment and to administer medicines so children receive appropriate care if they are unwell. However, systems are not yet fully effective in ensuring sufficient accurate detail of the medication is always recorded. The childminder helps promote children's physical well-being by ensuring daily routines are sufficiently flexible to take account of individual children's stage of

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Helping children to be healthy

maturity and care preferences, such as with regard to sleep patterns. Activities regularly enable children to develop their large muscle skills, for example, by using climbing equipment in local parks, playing in the garden, or taking walks in the neighbourhood. Children across the age range develop their hand-eye coordination as they handle books with growing precision, when they shape play dough, or when they paint and draw with creative materials. Arrangements with parents regarding responsibilities for provision of meals and snacks help ensure children receive balanced and nutritious meals suited to their own and family preferences. The childminder helps them develop an awareness of healthy eating, for example as they talk about which fresh fruits they prefer for morning snacks. Drinks, such as a baby's covered drinks beaker, are usually readily accessible, so helping ensure children take sufficient fluids.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident and relaxed within the secure and suitably maintained premises. Appropriate use of the ground floor of the house provides sufficient easily supervised space for them to safely participate in varied activities. For example, use of the table in the kitchen enables children to comfortably undertake creative activities, whilst use of the lounge provides children space to read books or use larger items in floor play. Easy access to the ground floor bathroom helps promote children's independence in toileting. Children use a selection of toys and play materials which are in sound condition and suitable for their age range, such as shape sorters, a range of craft resources, picture books and board games. The childminder promotes children's safety effectively by offering good supervision at all times. Sound safety precautions, such as keeping hot drinks out of children's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

reach and providing safe storage for household medicines and chemicals, help

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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 minimise potential hazards to children. Older children begin to understand how to act responsibly to maintain their own and others' safety, for example as they tell the childminder about why they need to hold the rail as they climb the stairs. However, children are not sufficiently safe in the garden because hazards relating to a low level window and access around the garage have not been identified or steps taken to minimise the risk to children. The childminder is aware of what child abuse and neglect mean and recognises her responsibility to follow relevant local and national procedures with regard to the reporting of any child protection concerns. This enables her to take appropriate action to safeguard children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. A caring and affectionate environment helps children settle well and develop confidence in their relationships with others and interest in their play. For example, a baby responds with smiles and gestures to the childminder, whilst handling a pop-up shape sorter with interest. Older children readily use spoken language to express their ideas and wants, and begin to understand how to negotiate, for example, about what activities to choose, what colour glitter they want. The childminder prioritises spending time with children, talking and listening to them and helping to extend their interest in activities, such as when she involves them all in looking at picture books. Daily activities are informally planned to take account of children's individual care routines and availability of local facilities such as toddler groups. This enables children to experience varied play opportunities to support their overall development,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

for example mixing with other children at toddler groups, or learning about the world around them as they visit local shops or the park. The childminder is familiar with the 'Birth to three matters' framework, giving guidance on provision for younger children. However, she has not yet developed this in planning for individual children to maximise their potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's calm and affectionate approach helps children settle readily and begin to make confident relationships with others. She has a sound awareness of using positive methods to help encourage children's acceptable behaviour, such as using praise and acting as a good role model. Children learn that their individual needs are valued and respected. Consistent expectations, taking account of children's levels of maturity, help them begin to take account of others, as when the childminder and pre-school aged children talk about how to help a baby stay safe, or when the childminder helps children negotiate taking turns in where they will sit for lunch. The childminder obtains relevant information on children's individual health, dietary and cultural needs, enabling these to be met. A basic selection of resources depicting different cultures and lifestyles helps children begin to recognise the

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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 similarities and differences between people. This is not fully developed to ensure children learn about all aspects of diversity. The childminder recognises the value of careful liaison with parents to establish the care requirements for any child with identified special needs. Good arrangements are in place to support the childminder and parents working in partnership, effectively promoting children's welfare. For example, a portfolio containing some information about the childminding service is available to parents. This helps to establish shared expectations for children's care such as settling-in arrangements. Informal discussion with parents, together with daily written diaries helps ensure on-going information regarding children's daily activities, routines and progress is shared.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children develop confident relationships with adults and peers in the warm and affectionate family home where available space and resources are used effectively to enable them to participate in a worthwhile range of activities. The childminder makes good use of some written information and policies to help ensure she and children's parents have a shared understanding of how care arrangements promote children's care and welfare. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to improve her knowledge and understanding by attending training to improve the service offered. Relevant records and documents, such as contact details and information on children's individual care needs, are usually methodically maintained and readily accessible to support children's welfare. Overall children's needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which can be seen on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those notified 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 satisfactory. 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

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 medication records include sufficient detail, including exact name and dosage • ensure the garden is safe and secure and children are unable to leave unsupervised • develop planning to maximise each child's potential and their understanding of the wider world, having regard to the 'Birth to three matters' framework for younger children.

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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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