Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY321432 Inspection date 15 September 2006 Inspector Gill Ogden

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2006. She lives with her husband and young grand-daughter in Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire. All areas of the childminder's home are used for childminding and there is a secure garden available for outdoor play. Amenities such as school, playgroup, shops and park are within walking distance. The childminder also uses her car to transport children on occasions. The family has a pet dog. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years and currently looks after five, all on a part-time basis.

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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 very clean home where close attention is paid to their personal hygiene. They learn to wash their hands at appropriate times such as after using the toilet and before eating and have their own towels provided by the childminder. Parents are made aware that children who have contagious illnesses cannot be cared for because it would be detrimental to others. All this helps minimise opportunities for cross-infection. Additionally, all the necessary precautions are taken to ensure that children's health is not compromised through their contact with the dog. Children get plenty of fresh air and exercise because they walk to school each day and play in the garden or visit the park. There is ample space indoors for them to move around freely and this is especially useful for babies who are beginning to crawl and walk and need enough space to do this safely. All children are free to rest or

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Helping children to be healthy

sleep according to their needs. Younger children's emotional needs are well met because the childminder is sensitive to them and makes sure they have, for example, their comfort toys. As a result of parents providing packed meals children eat the food they prefer. The childminder supplements this with such things as fruit and biscuits and is very aware of ensuring that the children get a balanced diet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is safe, secure and well-maintained. She carries out regular risk assessments because she knows that all children are different and what may be a safe environment for one is not necessarily for another. All the necessary safety equipment is in place and working well including those items for younger children such as high chairs and buggies. Children learn to keep themselves safe through prompting from the childminder, taking part in fire drills and they follow her clear instructions about road safety when they walk to school. During a pretend play activity a child told the childminder she should be careful of touching the kettle because it had just boiled. The toys and play resources the children use are appropriate to their needs and in good condition. Children are further safeguarded because the childminder has a solid understanding of her child protection responsibilities and knows the procedures to be followed in the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

event of an incident occurring. She makes sure that parents are aware that the children's best interests always come first.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled with the childminder. She provides a warm and caring environment for them where they have a lot of fun. Their interests are noted from the first time they attend so that the childminder can provide appropriately for them. For example, one young child particularly likes to see the dog and she soon settles once she has seen him. Children's self-esteem is promoted well and their feeling of belonging increased partly as a result of the photographs the childminder takes of them. She shows them to the children to remind them about what they did, who they played with and where they went. A variety of activities are available to the children which help them develop socially, emotionally and intellectually. The children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

throw themselves into activities such as role play, often as a result of the childminder asking them questions and making suggestions. For example, she picked up a box of pretend eggs the children had got out and asked what they could do if they broke the eggs. She suggested using them to make scrambled or poached eggs or to bake with them. One child responded by starting to 'make an omelette'. The childminder follows children's interests, for example, when a child started to play a drum she encouraged the children to march in time to it. Children learn to get on with others through playing together, meeting visitors to the childminder's home and going out visiting others. The childminder uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework to reflect her practice with the youngest children and observes their progress. For example, she noted for parents that a child was able to stack cups correctly and that she

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

laughed excitedly as she knocked them down. Older and younger children mix well together and learn from each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed to the childminder's home. They are all treated as individuals and their family background is respected. They celebrate festivals relating to their own culture and, through getting out and about regularly, they become well acquainted with and feel part of their local community. Children begin to learn about differing cultures through, for example, food tasting and talking about festivals such as Chinese New Year. There are some resources that are used as part of their everyday play that help them begin to develop positive attitudes towards all members of society. Children behave well as a result of the childminder taking every opportunity to praise and thank them. Children's continuity of care is very good because the childminder uses extensive daily diaries. She includes photographs of the children and writes in a chatty way that gets across a true picture of the day. Parents very much appreciate these because

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Helping children make a positive contribution

they can read them at their leisure and are free to add their own comments. However, there are no written contracts in place that clearly lay out the working agreement between the childminder and parents.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder has a great deal of experience of working with children of all ages, both in a home and group situation. She has attended lots of relevant training over the years and since she returned to childminding has valued current initiatives that emphasise the professionalism of the work and through which she has felt empowered to deliver a better service for children. All areas of her home are child-friendly and children are able to access a range of toys easily. Most of the necessary documentation is in place which provides a sound framework for the care of children. Overall, children's needs are met.

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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. Since registration 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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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 written agreements with parents, that set out the expectations of both parties, are in place.

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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

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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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