Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY330685 Unique Reference Number 04 September 2007 Inspection date Patricia King 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 2006, and may care for a maximum of four children under the age of eight years at any one time. She lives in Nottingham city. The first floor of the property is used for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and currently has two children under eight on roll. She takes children to local pre-school groups and on outings into the local community.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy good health and a healthy lifestyle because they are learning about personal hygiene and self-care. For example, they wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating, they are learning to put their hands in front of their mouths when coughing and sneezing

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 and respond well to gentle reminders from the childminder as she explains how this prevents the spread of germs. Children are further protected from cross-infection and illness by the childminder's clear information and policies to inform parents that children will not be minded when infectious. Children's health and welfare are promoted by the effective systems and records kept to take appropriate action in the event of an accident and to administer any necessary medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the variety of nourishing meals offered by the childminder to meet their nutritional and dietary needs, personal choice and preferences, agreed with their parents. They are learning about the importance of eating fresh fruit and vegetables daily and how this will help them to be healthy and grow strong. They enjoy a variety of healthy snacks between meals, including fresh fruit, which they help the childminder to choose from the local greengrocer's shop. Drinks are readily accessible for children to have when they require.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children accompany the childminder when she walks to the local school and they are taken to local parks and pre-school activities to ensure that they have daily opportunities to run around and participate in active play. Children rest and sleep according to their needs, as agreed with their parents and the childminder plans her home and routines to offer opportunities for active and quieter times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has arranged her home well to provide a welcoming, secure environment. Appropriate safety equipment minimises potential hazards within the home and thoughtful organisation of equipment and resources allow children to access these freely and safely to promote independence and choice. This means that children move around freely and confidently, making good use of the areas used for childminding. They independently select activities from a broad range of quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards and are stored within easy reach. Children's work, such as, drawings and collages is proudly displayed, which promotes their self-esteem and sense of belonging.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning how to keep themselves safe, for example, they respond well to simple rules about not running and climbing in the home and the fire escape plan is practiced monthly to ensure they are able to respond confidently in the event of an emergency. Children are learning to keep safe when out walking by using 'stop, look and listen' to cross roads. Children respond with proud smiles when praised by the childminder for their knowledge and safe behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding of child protection issues, in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance and how to take any action required to protect children. She has established a clear written policy to ensure parents are fully informed of her responsibility to protect children from harm. The childminder ensures that children are only collected by their parents or named adults by prior written arrangements. Children are never left alone with other adults and the childminder is vigilant to supervise visitors to her home.

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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 are settled and comfortable in the environment and take part confidently in the routines and activities offered for their care and welfare. The childminder takes care to find out what children can do, their likes and dislikes, and organise the daily routines and activities effectively to ensure that they learn and develop well in her care. Through discussion the childminder demonstrates an understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework although this is not fully implemented in her practice. She knows the children well and has established warm relationships with them and their families. Children’s learning and personal needs are well met as the childminder recognises each child as an individual and is careful to treat them with respect. This means that children are developing a real sense of belonging and self- worth.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are learning about their community and the wider world, for example, the childminder takes the children out into the local area to the library, shops, parks and Nottingham Castle. There are many positive images, resources and books to promote children’s awareness to diversity, which means they are learning about their place in the world and others in it. They respond eagerly to effective questions from the childminder, for example, she uses daily routines and activities, such as, a visit to the greengrocer’s on the way home from school to practise mathematical language and recognise colours and shapes, which promotes the children's learning through play. Children use their imagination well to create colourful pictures, collages and models which they are proud to display and take home to their families.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's care and welfare is thoroughly discussed and agreed with the parents, establishing a close working partnership to keep them fully informed and included in the care of their children. For example, comprehensive policies and information is given to parents, written agreements are completed and the childminder makes herself readily available for discussion. This means that the children's individual needs are carefully considered, ensuring that the childminder is well informed and children make good progress in her care. She shows good understanding of how to manage the situation positively when recognising any health or special needs of minded children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are effectively learning about their own and other cultures because the childminder works well to promote their understanding and awareness to diversity. For example, resources have been carefully chosen to increase the children's understanding of the wider world which includes different lifestyles and disability awareness. Children are learning to behave well, for example, the childminder has established sensible house rules, such as, no jumping on the furniture, which means they learn to take responsibility for their own behaviour. Children listen carefully to the childminder and respond positively to her consistent use of praise and encouragement which promotes their confidence and self-esteem.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare and safety are positively promoted by the comprehensive set of policies, guidelines and information accessible to parents. The childminder ensures that documents and records necessary for the efficient and safe management of the provision are maintained. The childminder has organised her home to provide a welcoming environment and children are

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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 settled in her care. All adults in the household have been cleared and the children are well protected from visitors by the childminder's secure systems and procedures.

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Organisation

Parents are kept informed and included in the care of their children by daily discussion, which means they can contribute to their child's continued development. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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): • develop further activities for children under three using an approach in line with 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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