Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY226976 Unique Reference Number 01 November 2006 Inspection date Janice Broddle Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 2003. She lives with her family, including her teen-age daughters and nine-year old twins, in the Bestwood area of Nottingham. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, along with bathroom facilities and the back bedroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Family pets include a Doberman dog and a hamster.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children, one is aged under five years, and the other is over eight years. Both children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and she has a vehicle available to take children on outings. She attends the local parent and toddler group and 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 good. Children are cared for in a warm and clean home. The childminder has high standards of cleanliness and clear arrangements with parents about the attendance of children who are unwell. This helps to minimise the risk of cross infection. Her good hygiene practices support this, for example, she wears disposable gloves when changing nappies, and maintains the kitchen in a clean and hygienic condition. Children develop an awareness of personal hygiene through daily routines and gentle reminders, for example, to wash their hands after playing outdoors and before meals. There are mainly good systems in place to care for children in the event of an accident or emergency, however, the childminder does not have written parental consent for emergency medical advice or treatment which could compromise children’s health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their dietary needs met because the childminder works well with parents. She agrees arrangements for meals with them prior to admission and provides food in line with their wishes. She provides meals and snacks for some children, on request, and ensures that these are balanced and nutritious.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies enjoy practising their newly acquired walking skills as they have space to move around and explore. They have further opportunities to develop their increasing physical skills at toddler group where they access ride-on and push-along toys, tunnels and slides. Daily walks to school and regular outings ensure these children have plenty of fresh air to promote their good health. Older children have regular access to the garden equipment including swings and slides. They further develop their physical skills and co-ordination through regular cycle rides and visits to the local park where they run, climb and balance on the larger apparatus.

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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 safe and well-maintained environment. The childminder has a good awareness of safety issues, she has identified potential hazards and makes appropriate use of safety equipment to minimise these. For example, safety locks are on kitchen cupboards, a fire guard restricts access to the fire, and babies are put in a play pen if she leaves the room. Children therefore safely explore their play materials. Children have access to a suitable range of play equipment that is of good quality. Toys are clean and safe and the childminder has effective systems in place to ensure that younger children do not access toys that pose a possible danger to them, such as small pieces. She supervises the children closely to ensure the risk of accidents is minimised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about safety issues within the home, for example, they discuss the possible dangers that some toys may pose to babies, and practise the emergency escape plan so that they can swiftly and safely exit the building in the event of an emergency. They remain safe when outside of the home as the childminder implements good safety procedures. Younger children have wrist straps and learn to walk safely and older children know they must remain close by and not cross the road unsupervised. Children’s welfare is promoted as the childminder

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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 has a clear understanding of her responsibilities regarding child protection and has relevant contact numbers readily available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young children investigate their environment and are beginning to develop their independence and self-esteem as they make choices from familiar toys they enjoy. The childminder supports this by giving children attention and engaging with them as they explore their chosen play materials. Regular visits to mother and toddler groups introduce young children to large group play and support their developing social skills. School-age children access a wide range of age-appropriate activities. They enjoy regular outings for fresh air and exercise and eagerly request and participate in the childminder’s invented games using recyclable materials. They particularly enjoy art and craft activities, using their creativity and designing skills to create pictures related to a chosen theme.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are settled and happy in the childminder's home. They have good relationships with her, younger children laugh and smile as she engages with them in playing with their toys, and older children confidently express their needs and wises. The childminder has a good understanding of children’s individual needs and plans daily activities around these. This ensures that younger children eat and rest in line with routines at home, and that older children participate in activities involving possible dangers for younger ones, when they are not present. Although the childminder gives some consideration to planning activities, she is not yet actively planning and providing these in line with the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework in order to ensure she is covering all areas of development and to identify children’s next steps.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about the local community through regular visits to parks, shops, mother and toddler groups and walks around the local environment. The childminder has a range of books and play materials which help to promote children’s awareness of diversity and understanding of others differences and supplements these by borrowing resources from the local library. Children feel valued and respected as individuals as the childminder has a good awareness of their individual needs and she has appropriate systems in place to ensure that children with learning difficulties or disabilities are fully included in her provision.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s behaviour is good. The childminder has clear boundaries within the home which she gently and consistently reinforces. This, along with her frequent use of praise, encourages positive behaviour and contributes to children’s self esteem. The childminder works effectively with parents to ensure that relevant information is shared. She verbally exchanges detailed information on a daily basis to ensure children continue to be cared for within their usual routines and to keep parents informed about children’s daily care and activities. She has some written policies in place to inform parents about her practices. Children benefit from this positive working relationship which promotes continuity of care.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are confident and relaxed in the childminder's care. She organises her space and resources effectively to enable children to safely and comfortably eat, rest and play. The childminder effectively organises daily routines to ensure that younger children are cared for in line with home routines and that activities for older children are interesting and varied.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder’s good records and documentation. She establishes close working relationships with parents, and has clearly agreed arrangements in place which ensure continuity of children’s care. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the provider agreed to develop her service in order to promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children and also to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She has since obtained additional information regarding child protection issues and now has a clear knowledge of possible indicators along with relevant contact numbers which improves children’s safety and welfare. She has also obtained additional equipment to promote positive images of differences within society and also has sound systems in place to ensure that she is able to meet children’s individual needs. This places value on children and supports them in being able to make a positive contribution to the setting.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints 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): • obtain written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment

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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 • improve activities for younger children in line with practice set out in the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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The quality and standards of the care

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

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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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