Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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252933 Unique Reference Number 26 June 2006 Inspection date Alexandra Brouder 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 has been registered for 16 years. She lives with her husband and son aged 12 years old, in a house in Nottinghamshire. The house is close to local amenities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The ground floor of the property, first floor bedroom, toilet and bathroom are accessible to minded children. An enclosed rear garden is available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight. Currently there are nine children on roll between the ages of one and 12 years, that attend various days and times.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA), and has completed a number of short courses. She is a member of a local childminding network and provides day care for the local authority.

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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 enjoy a wide range of activities which allows them to develop and maintain good health. They have activities daily which promote a growing control of their bodies, such as ride on toys and picking up rocks as they look for snails. Young children's need for rest and sleep are well met as the childminder effectively follows routines which contribute to their emotional well-being. They also receive lots of cuddles which makes them feel secure and settled in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their awareness of personal hygiene and the importance of personal care, as they wash their hands before meals and after outdoor play. Explanations about this are clear and made relevant to the child. For example, children are made aware that if they are ill they cannot go out to play which effectively encourages them to think about staying healthy. Children are protected from infection by the clear arrangements in place with parents about their care if they should become ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing an awareness of healthy eating through the promotion of fruit for a snack, if it is needed, and the balanced diet that is offered to all which includes a range of fresh fruit and vegetables. They remain hydrated as they have access to drinks throughout the day. Children's nutritional needs are effectively met as the childminder takes all relevant details about children's health and dietary needs from parents upon admission. Policies and procedures are used effectively to ensure that children's health and well-being are effectively promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe at the home because the childminder has effective measures in place to minimise risks both inside and outside the home. For example, children know that when they are out and about that they must hold onto the buggy or her hand to ensure that they remain safe, and also appropriate methods to cross the road safely by discussion. Although the childminder has a written fire drill this is not practised on a regular basis, which impedes children's knowledge of how to react in an emergency. Children can move around the home and garden freely because the childminder is vigilant about their well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All children have access to a range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. Older children have opportunities to independently select activities, whilst younger children have toys selected for them that are safe and suited to their needs. The childminder takes into account the ages of children to ensure that resources that are available are both safe and suited to the individual child. The childminder has required documents and procedures in place to ensure children's welfare is promoted and safeguarded. For example, she has a child protection policy; this enables her to have the knowledge that she needs should she suspect a child in her care is being abused, and to follow appropriate procedures in line with local guidance.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's house and receive a good level of adult support which allows them to explore their environment in safety. Children have their needs met well through the good range of toys and play resources that are available to enhance their all round development. They have opportunities to make active choices about their play as well as the minder setting up resources for them. All children show interest in what they do and develop confidence and self-esteem, especially through opportunities to instigate and develop their own play opportunities. For example, the children wished to lie down and go to sleep. The children delighted in using blankets and chairs to set up their sleeping area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the warm interaction and verbal encouragement from the childminder to develop awareness of the needs of others. They respond positively to the childminder's use of praise and encouragement. Children listen and respond well to tapes of songs and rhymes, and begin to join in with familiar songs and complete the appropriate actions. They enjoy a range of stories and the childminder takes time to read to the children each day which encourages their listening and communication skills. All pre-school children are able to practise their social skills through regular visits to toddler groups and visits to other minders. The childminder spends time with all age groups present encouraging them and helping them in play when required, but also gives them time to play alone.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is aware of early years guidance such as the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses this to guide her in to providing appropriate activities and resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are warmly welcomed into the home and are valued as individuals with their own needs. These are well met as the childminder works closely with parents to ensure that the child's routines are promoted. Thus ensuring that the child is able to settle and feel at home. Children are fully included in the life of the setting and as a result their self-esteem is fostered. Children's needs are well met and they receive consistent care. Children are beginning to learn about the wider world through discussion and access to some suitable resources. However, opportunities to extend these ideas for younger children limit their knowledge of other cultures and lifestyles. The childminder has completed a course in sign language and encourages the older children to think about other forms of communication. For example. looking for Braille when they are out and about, which develops their understanding of the needs of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides useful information for parents, including a range of policies and a prospectus. She has regular communication with them and seeks their feedback, both verbally, and through an evaluation form that relates to her service. This enables the children's needs to be met and to feel a sense of belonging. Diaries are completed for younger children enabling parents to share information from home regarding their ever changing needs to enable the childminder to adapt her practice to suit this. Children receive warm cuddles and affection, and build trusting relationships with the childminder, contributing to their sense of belonging.

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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 Children behave well and are encouraged to do so through positive praise and encouragement from the childminder. She has developed some simple house rules such as sitting at the table for snacks and meals and being kind to one another. Children are beginning to understand the rules for working together harmoniously. For example, one of the children wanted both blankets to play with. The childminder explained that this would mean that the other child had none and that it would be better to share, to which the child agreed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home in a well organised environment which helps them to develop settled relationships and interest in their activities. Time and opportunities are used effectively in order to provide appropriate care for the differing ages of the minded children, and the childminder has high regard for their well-being. Good arrangements for younger and older children ensure that suitable play opportunities do not compromise the care of children and they experience a suitable range of activities.

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Organisation

Space and resources are organised successfully and support children's overall development. Documentation is established to ensure children's specific needs are fully recorded which helps to promote their welfare. The childminder is making good use of on-going training to extend her understanding of good practice and support continued development of her service. Consistent liaison with parents and on-going verbal communication, as well as written information for younger children, ensures they are kept fully informed about their child's care. Secure arrangements ensure confidentiality is maintained.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last Children Act inspection the childminder was asked to review supervision arrangements to ensure children's contact with pets does not pose a health or safety risk. Children have no free access to the dog. The childminder ensures that the dog is in a secure area when the children are at play within the house and that she offers continued supervision when children are outside and the dog is present, ensuring that children are kept safe. Children wash their hands after they have petted the dog ensuring that they remain healthy.

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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 complaint 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): • ensure that the fire drill is practised regularly and that records reflect this to ensure that children's safety is maintained • continue to develop the opportunites for children to learn and understand the needs of other cultures and lifestyles through the range of toys and activities that are accessible to them.

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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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