Cannon, Belinda Dawn

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY318895 Inspection date 13 June 2006 Inspector Alison Edwards

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2005. She regularly works with a co-childminder at the home of the co-childminder's grandparents on a residential road in the Carrington district of Nottingham. The whole ground floor of the house is registered for childminding. Local parks are currently used to provide outdoor play. No pets are kept. Whether working singly or with a co-childminder, the childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time and is currently co-childminding five children on a part- and full-time basis.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in clean and comfortable premises where sound hygiene arrangements help promote their good health and reduce risks of cross-infection. Easy access to the ground floor cloakroom enables children to develop independence in simple self-care routines such as washing their hands. Daily routines introduce them to good hygiene practices, for example as they use individual towels to dry their hands. They begin to learn about the reasons for good hygiene practices through discussion with the childminder and reference to displays of relevant posters. Effective arrangements are in place to enable the childminder to deal with any medication needs or minor accidents, so helping her to promote the children's well-being in most circumstances. However, as yet the childminder does not request written parental authorisation to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, so potentially limiting her ability to deal with a more serious incident to best

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

effect. 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 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, taking walks in the neighbourhood, or playing movement and dancing games indoors. Children across the age range develop their hand-eye coordination as they paint or draw with creative materials or handle books or construction materials with growing precision. The childminder has a clear understanding of the importance of ensuring children's individual dietary needs can be met, for example by ensuring baby feeding arrangements are in accord with parental instruction. Meals and snacks frequently include nutritious items such as fresh fruits and vegetables, so helping children

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

develop healthy eating habits. Children independently access drinks, such as covered beakers of water, at frequent intervals, so helping to ensure they take sufficient fluids.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are confident and relaxed in the secure and suitably-maintained premises which are made welcoming to them by displays of interesting posters and samples of their own artwork. Use of the ground floor of the house provides sufficient easily-supervised space for varied activities, for example by use of a low table and chairs for meals or table top activities, and by easy access to a comfortable sofa or floor mattresses for relaxation. Direct access to a ground floor cloakroom helps children safely develop growing independence in their personal hygiene. Although the rear garden is not currently registered for use, children frequently experience fresh air and outdoor play through daily walks and regular use of local parks.

p.3

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 Equipment and play materials are usually well-chosen for children to use safely and independently, for example when pre-school aged children confidently use chunky chalks at an easel or enjoy looking at a selection of interesting books at a low table. The childminder promotes children's safety effectively by ensuring good supervision is offered at all times. Sound safety precautions, for example use of fixed fireguards and secure storage of medicines, help minimise potential hazards to children. Children begin to learn to have regard for their own and others' safety, for example as they talk about reasons for not throwing toys. The childminder has undertaken training on child protection issues, helping her understand what child abuse and neglect mean. She recognises her responsibility to

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

follow up any child protection concerns. However, details of current local procedures and contact details are not readily available, so potentially limiting the childminder's ability to safeguard children's welfare to best effect in such a situation.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. A caring and affectionate environment helps children settle readily and develop confidence in their relationships with others and interest in their play. For example a young baby is relaxed and at ease as the childminder cuddles and talks to her during bottle-feeding, whilst older children talk readily to each other, and to familiar and unfamiliar adults, about their experiences and about ideas and preferences for their play. Children experience a broad range of activities inside and outside the home, so helping support their overall development. These activities are informally organised to take account of individual routines, such as preferred sleep times, and to include use of local facilities such as parks and libraries, so helping them become familiar with their neighbourhood. Within the premises, children are able to make simple choices from a variety of resources and activities, such as chalking, dressing up, simple matching games or

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

books. They often show enjoyment in their play, for example as two children show interest in comparing their cards in a simple snap game. The childminder spends time talking and playing with the children, helping them extend their play and ideas, for example as she encourages them to record their voices on a simple tape recorder. The childminder is already familiar with some aspects of the 'Birth to three matters' framework giving guidance on provision for younger children, and is taking active steps to further develop her awareness of how to use these materials to best effect to promote children's learning and development.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from good levels of adult support which helps them feel settled and confident in their relationships and play. Consistent routines, taking account of children's level of maturity, help them understand what behaviour is expected, for

p.4

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 example as they are encouraged to wash their hands before sitting down at a low table for lunch. Simple discussion of events within daily routines helps children begin to show care and concern for each other and their toys, for example as the childminder talks with toddlers about why throwing things indoors is usually not a good idea. The childminder obtains relevant information on children's individual health, dietary and cultural needs, enabling these to be met. From an early age children begin to learn that their individual needs are valued and respected, for example as the childminder sensitively responds to a baby's signs of tiredness and helps her settle, or as she responds positively to a child with dual-language switching easily between English and French. Children are encouraged to recognise and respect diversity as

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

they use a selection of interesting and accessible resources reflecting positive images of different cultures and lifestyles, for example when they use and talk about Nigerian clothing from a local toy library scheme. The childminder recognises the value of careful liaison with parents to establish the care requirements for any child with identified disabilities or learning needs. Arrangements to enable childminder and parents work in partnership to support children's needs are generally good. Prospective parents receive written information outlining the childminder's policies, procedures and typical routines, so helping establish a shared understanding of these arrangements. However, occasionally the specific care and business arrangements for an individual child are not established through use of a written agreement with parents. Parents and childminder share information on children's activities and experiences through informal discussion and

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

use of daily diaries and scrap books containing examples of children's creative activities.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are secure and relaxed in an environment where consistent arrangements to work closely with a co-childminder help ensure they benefit from good levels of support and supervision. Available space and resources are organised effectively to enable children to make choices between active play and relaxation. Recent experience in working with children in a nursery setting helps provide the childminder with relevant knowledge and awareness of childcare issues and good practice, for example with regard to care for younger children. She makes effective use of local facilities to extend her provision, for example by using resources from a local loan scheme to promote children's respect for diversity. Required records for individual children, such as times of attendance and individual health and contact details, are generally methodically maintained to underpin children's care. Overall children’s

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

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

p.5

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 they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • establish written agreements with parents for all children setting out the expectations of both parties regarding care and business arrangements • request written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment • ensure familiarity with local child protection procedures including knowing whom to contact if concerned about a child.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6