Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY227284 Unique Reference Number 08 June 2006 Inspection date Alison Putnar 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?

This childminder registered in 2002. She is registered to provide care for five children under eight years. At present, the childminder cares for five children under eight years, four over eight also attend on a part-time basis. The childminder lives with her family in a house in Mapperley, a suburb of Nottingham. It is within walking distance of local shops, schools and parks. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has one cat. The childminder attends a local carer and toddler group and childminder's group, on a regular basis. She 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's good health is promoted as the house is clean and well maintained. The risk of spreading inflections is minimised as the childminder has clear policies in relation to the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious, this is shared with parents to promote consistency. Children develop healthy practices as they follow suitable hygiene routines in relation to hand washing after using the bathroom and before eating. Children use individual hand towels again minimising any spread of germs. Older children develop their personal independence skills as the organisation of the home ensures they can visit the toilet independently, with the childminder close to hand to monitor that the good hygiene routines are followed. Children are well nourished. Snacks provided by the childminder include a good variety of fresh fruit. Children are actively encouraged to try the fruit through interesting systems. For example, after their

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Helping children to be healthy

snack children select magnetic pictures of the fruit they have eaten and place these on their name boards. However, children do not always actively learn about the benefits of eating healthily as opportunities to talk about the importance of this are sometimes missed. Good systems are in place to ensure children are fed according to their individual needs, likes and dislikes. They freely access drinks throughout making sure they do not become dehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well cared for in the event that they have minor accidents or require medication. The childminder has attended first aid training. Clear records are maintained promoting their safety and welfare, these are shared with parents as required ensuring continuity in children's care. Children benefit from exercise and fresh air as they regularly walk with the childminder, at school collection times, to visit toddler groups and local facilities. They make frequent use of the secure garden and access a good range of resources to promote physical skills. These include ball games, climbing and slide facilities and wheeled toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in an extremely well organised, child-friendly home. The childminder has purposefully made alterations to her home to benefit the minded children. This provides children with a well equipped, attractive play room where they freely access an excellent range of toys and resources. The effective storage systems enable children to see and independently select from the range available thus promoting their interest and enjoyment. Younger children remain safe as the childminder organises toys to ensure that unsuitable ones, such as, those with small pieces are stored out of reach. All children access toys suitable to their age and developmental stage. Their individual needs are met as ample equipment is readily available, for example, children can all eat together and benefit from developing social skills as they sit at the child sized table and chairs, with two highchairs available to ensure younger ones can eat at the same

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

time. Space is used effectively ensuring that children can sleep in peace while others continue to play actively. Children remain safe in the secure environment. The childminder assesses risks in her home and takes action, using appropriate equipment to minimise risks. Cupboard locks, fire guards and stair gates are used to enhance a safe environment.

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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 Children are closely supervised and older ones actively learn about safety. They talk about road safety when out walking with the childminder and practise fire evacuation drills. Children's welfare is safe guarded through the childminder's comprehensive knowledge of child protection procedures, developed through completing a relevant course. Policies and procedures relating to safety are shared with the parents enabling them to feel confident in the childminder's good practices.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and settled in the childminder's home, with many opportunities created for them to have fun and enjoy their play. They are equally encouraged to access a good range of activities. Children are confident to initiate play as they freely select from the toys available. The childminder appropriately offers suggestions to younger ones, who are less familiar with the range available. During the day appropriate routines ensure children are happy, well cared for and making progress in development. Opportunities are created for children to play, rest and eat according to individual needs and parents wishes. Children enjoy opportunities to play in the home the garden and benefit from wider experiences when visiting other local facilities. Younger ones develop their social skills as they meet up with others of a similar age at local toddler groups and when meeting other childminders and their minded children at local parks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They develop listening skills when visiting the library for story sessions. They develop skills of sharing and turn taking as the childminder encourages this as she frequently gets involved in their play. Younger ones are appropriately developing their language skills, the childminder is fully aware of the children's levels of development and adapts her language as a result. Using simple words and gestures with the very young children and increasing vocabulary with those aged over two years. The children develop their skills as they incidentally learn during play, for example, they develop their imagination as they act out familiar scenes with role play equipment, or attempt to count and name colours when building with bricks. They explore features of the natural world through activities in the garden, such as, planting tomato seeds. The childminder has a good awareness of the potential learning behind play, and is at an early stage of using

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

systems such as the 'Birth to three matters' framework to guide her in planning activities that enable children to build on the skills they already have. Children regularly take part in craft activities, their work is displayed in books, which show how they have progressed. This good system does not yet include other areas of children's development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected. They are happy and at ease in the childminder's home. Resources reflecting positive images are used well to proactively teach children about diversity and the wider world. Children participate in craft, food tasting and discussions about festivals such as Mother's Day, Easter and Diwali. All children are made to feel special as they decorate cakes to celebrate each other's birthdays. Children are very well supported, the childminder demonstrates genuine care and appropriate affection towards all the children. Children respond well to effective and sensitive techniques for managing behaviour. The childminder is consistent in her approach so children clearly understand boundaries and expectations. For example, she

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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 encourages children to take turns with toys. As a result, the youngest children are learning to work harmoniously with others. Children begin to use good manners encouraged by the childminder. Very good systems keep parents well informed of all childminding practices. Written records and policies are shared and include relevant information ensuring children are cared for according to individual needs. The childminder has a suitable awareness of systems to support children with additional needs and demonstrates a willingness to work in partnership with parents and professionals to promote the welfare and development of all children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare is promoted as the childminder presents a professional and enthusiastic attitude to her childminding. She has a sound understanding of requirements as a childminder and maintains clear records to safe guard children in her care. Children benefit from the good levels of support and supervision, enabling them to feel safe and secure in the setting. This means they are confident to initiate play and voice their needs, asking for or helping themselves to a drink or toys. Space is organised well to meet the ongoing needs of the children. Children remain safe as they are well supervised, systems are in place for ensuring adults in the household are appropriately vetted, although, one check for a younger household member has been overlooked. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to continually developing her skills and knowledge for the benefit of children in her care. She has completed additional training

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Organisation

courses including food hygiene and child protection and has organised a refresher course to update her first aid knowledge. The provision meets the needs of the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to consider ways of recording children's developmental progress and how this could be shared with parents. The childminder creates regular opportunities to discuss all issues about the children with parents. She has begun to develop records of children's progression in their art work and early writing skills, but has not yet extended this to include other areas of development.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since April 2004.

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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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Complaints 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

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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): • continue to look at the potential learning behind play and consider planning practical play activities that enable children to further build the skills they already have • improve further the systems for ensuring that household members over 16 years and are regularly present when children are being minded undergo all required checks, in this case a criminal records check.

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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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