Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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252859 Unique Reference Number 12 September 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 1996. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and thirteen in Radclifffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire. All areas of the property are used for childminding, although this mainly takes place on the ground floor with sleeping facilities within this area and toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family do not have pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding 11 children, six of whom are under eight years, and four of whom are under five years. All children attend on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group with minded children.

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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 well protected from the risk of spread of infection through the childminder’s very high standards of cleanliness within the home. This is supported by good hygiene practices such as nappy changing procedures and food preparation routines. Children are developing good personal hygiene awareness, for example, the childminder reminds them to wash their hands before meals, dispose of tissues after cleaning their noses and tie their hair back at meals times and when baking. The childminder has good systems in place to ensure children can be cared for in the event of an accident including up-to-date first aid knowledge and parental consent for urgent medical treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. The childminder provides meals for younger children in line with parents’ wishes. Older children enjoy a variety of nutritious, fresh, home-cooked meals that include a variety of fruits and vegetables. The childminder has a good awareness of children’s individual dietary needs and ensures that she takes these into consideration when providing meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of activities that help to promote their physical development. Indoors they enjoy activities such as crawling in tents, playing hop scotch games and practising their co-ordination as they throw and catch bean bags. Babies have space to crawl and move around and access a good range of toys to encourage their newly learnt walking skills, such as push-along toys. Children access regular fresh air through their daily walk to school. They make frequent use of the garden and also enjoy regular trips to the local park where they access a variety of larger climbing equipment and enjoy running and team games in the open spaces.

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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 warm and welcoming home. They access a wide range of good quality play equipment and the childminder has effective systems in place to ensure that these remain in clean and safe condition. Younger children safely access them from low-level storage units.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children freely and safely move around their identified play areas and explore their toys as the childminder has a good awareness of safety. She provides an environment where potential hazards are minimised and provides good levels of supervision. She has effective systems in place to ensure children are well cared for in the event of an emergency. Children remain safe when outside of the home due to the childminder’s vigilant supervision and use of appropriate equipment. For example, younger children have reins or wrist straps until they are able to follow instructions. Children begin to learn to keep themselves safe through discussion with the childminder, for example, about safety within the home, sun safety, playground safety and what to do in an emergency.

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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 well protected as the childminder has a sound understanding of her responsibilities regarding child protection. She has attended recent training to reinforce her knowledge, and has relevant contact numbers readily available. As a result, children’s welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children’s individual needs are met as the childminder works closely with parents to gather relevant information about children and uses this to plan daily routines and activities. This ensures that children eat and sleep in line with routines at home and access toys and equipment that are appropriate to their level of development. Children enjoy good relationships with the childminder, she is kind and caring and sensitive to children’s needs and wishes. Children who are settling in enjoy high levels of attention as she gently and patiently supports them to engage in play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a broad and varied range of activities and experiences where they learn through play. They access a wide range of age-appropriate toys and activities to promote all areas of their development. Children happily explore their play materials; they are beginning to develop their independence as they make choices from familiar favourites. Regular meetings with other minded children, and visits to local parent and toddler groups introduce children to large group play and support their developing social skills. The childminder is familiar with the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework but is not yet using this to plan and evaluate young children's progress in order to identify the next steps in their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals, the childminder gathers a good level of information from parents to ensure that she is able to care for them in line with home routines. Children are beginning to learn about the local community through their contact with other locally minded children, and their visits to local parent and toddler groups. They begin to become aware of the wider world as they access a good range of resources that reflect positive images of differences. The childminder supports this well by organising additional activities, such as food tasting, to acknowledge different festivals. The childminder has appropriate systems in place to ensure that children with learning difficulties and or disabilities are fully included in her provision.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s behaviour is good due to the high levels of attention and support they receive, and the range of toys and equipment which keep them engaged. The childminder has a good awareness of appropriate behaviour management strategies; she is calm and positive with the children, and they respond positively to generous praise for their efforts and achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very good range of written information, which she shares with parents on admission. This ensures that they are well informed about her practices. She maintains written daily records for younger children that she shares with parents, thus keeping them well

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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 informed about children’s daily care and activities. Children benefit from this positive working relationship, which promotes continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is developing her service well using the knowledge she has gained from working towards her recently achieved childcare qualification. All required documentation is in place and contains a good level of detail. However, the certificate of registration is not displayed. Written policies and procedures provide parents with relevant information about her service which contributes to close working relationships and continuity of care for children.

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Organisation

Space in the home is well organised so that children have a comfortable, welcoming environment in which to play, rest and have their meals. Younger children are developing their newly emerging independence through being able to select from a range of toys themselves and have space to move around. The childminder organises daily routines well to ensure that children are able to eat and sleep according to their individual routines. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, the childminder agreed to two recommendations. These were to keep a written record of any incidents and to make a complaints procedure available to parents. An incident recording system is now in place, and a complaints procedure is on display in the kitchen area, alongside a poster with contact numbers for Ofsted. This helps to promote consistency of care for children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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):

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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 • comply with conditions of registration with regard to displaying the certificate.

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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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