Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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252358 Unique Reference Number 08 January 2007 Inspection date Alison Edwards 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 satisfactory. 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 1990. She lives with her younger daughter aged 13 and her adult daughter in a house in the Broxtowe area of Nottinghamshire. Children use the ground floor of the house, with access to the first floor bathroom as needed. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. A rabbit is kept as a family pet. The childminder is registered to care for five minded children under eight years. There are currently four children on roll of whom three are under eight.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. A clean, comfortable and naturally ventilated family home provides a suitable environment to maintain children's health. Sound hygiene practices are followed within daily routines, as when

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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 the childminder promptly wipes down a changing mat and washes her hands after changing a child's nappy. Children begin to follow appropriate hygiene procedures themselves because the childminder encourages them to wash their hands before meals or after using the toilet. There are adequate arrangements for children to rest or sleep according to their needs because older children are able to relax on a comfortable sofa in the lounge, whilst younger babies sleep in a lie back buggy in the breakfast kitchen or lounge.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder records information from parents about children's individual health needs, so helping her to ensure these are met. She holds a current paediatric first aid qualification, and obtains written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment, so helping to ensure she can act in children's best interests in the event of any accident or sudden illness. Children frequently experience activities enabling them to use their large movement skills, for example when toddlers use climbing frames or take part in action songs at local activity groups. They begin to develop their hand-eye coordination as they enjoy manipulating interlocking plastic bricks or drawing with a selection of coloured crayons.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are suitably nourished because the childminder takes account of information from parents regarding their individual dietary needs. They enjoy healthy snacks such as fresh or dried fruit, and are provided with appropriately balanced lunches such as cheese sandwiches and salad vegetables or fruit. The childminder shows an awareness of how to provide substantial and balanced main meals, such as meat and vegetables, if required to do so. Children usually have independent access to drinks such as water or diluted squash throughout the day to ensure they take sufficient fluids.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Use of the ground floor lounge and breakfast kitchen provides adequate space for children to play, eat and rest within the childminder's sight, so helping to ensure they are appropriately supervised. Toddlers are confident and relaxed when sitting on adult-sized chairs at the dining table to eat or draw, and are at ease when playing on the carpeted lounge floor, or looking at books on the comfortable sofas. A level and fully enclosed rear garden provides secure space for children to experience fresh air and physical activity, including use of a selection of wheeled toys. Toys and play equipment are stored in stacker boxes and cupboards. Children enjoy using the selections of safe and clean toys which are made available to them, for example as toddlers play with chunky plastic bricks or show interest in a cord-operated musical toy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A range of sensible precautions are in place within the home to maintain children's safety. For example, provision of a fire blanket in the kitchen and use of interlinked smoke alarms help reduce risks from fire, whilst exposed electrical sockets are usually fitted with covers to prevent children accessing them. The childminder begins to help toddlers recognise potential danger, for example by telling them that things may be 'hot'. Older children begin to learn about aspects of road safety when the childminder encourages them to look for traffic when they are crossing the road together.

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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 The childminder is aware of what child abuse and neglect mean and recognises her responsibility to follow agreed procedures in the event of any child protection concerns in order to safeguard children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's warm and affectionate manner helps children settle readily and show confidence in their activities. For example toddlers are relaxed and at ease as they play with a selection of plastic bricks, stacking toys and dolls. The childminder is attentive to their language and gestures, for example, extending toddlers' single word comments about the colour or shape of the bricks they are using, or encouraging them to talk about the fruit they are having for their morning snack.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder makes frequent use of local activity groups to enable younger children to socialise with others and to experience a range of creative activities and physical play. She has undertaken some training on the 'Birth to three matters' framework, providing guidance on care for younger children. Within the home, children are able to make some simple choices from a variety of resources such as puzzles, books or simple pretend play toys which are suited to their interests and stage of development. However, these are not always organised and presented to best effect to extend children's sustained and independent play and learning. For example, stacker boxes of toys in the lounge contain assortments of toys which are sometimes incomplete and unrelated to each other, and so do not enable children to use them purposefully.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. From an early age, children begin to show awareness of others, for example when young toddlers watch each other as they play alongside each other, or when they show interest in the presence of an unfamiliar adult. They begin to learn what behaviour is expected of them as the childminder encourages them to handle toys appropriately, or to sit at the table for their mid-morning snack. Older children begin to learn to take responsibility for themselves and their surroundings, for example, as the childminder encourages them to wash their hands after using the toilet or to help tidy toys away.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Use of pre-printed registration forms enables the childminder to record any information on individual health, care and dietary needs so these can be met. She makes some use of dolls with different skin tones or books relating to different cultures in order to help children recognise and respect individual and cultural differences. She is aware of the importance of working closely with parents and any relevant professionals to help identify and support any child with special needs or learning difficulties.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Initial meetings and use of written agreements help ensure that the childminder and prospective parents establish shared expectations for children's care, such as times of attendance and sickness arrangements. They share relevant information on children's activities and experiences through informal discussion at the start or end of the day. The childminder recognises the

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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 importance of open discussion with parents on any queries they may have regarding provision for their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are very contented and relaxed in the comfortable environment where they develop settled relationships and show interest in their play. They are cared for by an experienced childminder who shows a willingness to develop her awareness of childcare practice through participation in relevant local training. The childminder keeps a written record of all details required by relevant regulations. However, at present these are not well-organised to ensure they are readily accessible for reference to support childcare. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection and equal opportunity issues, to provide a range of activities and resources to promote equality of opportunity, and to practise the emergency evacuation plan. Following attendance at relevant local child protection training, she is now aware of what child abuse and neglect mean, and of the procedures to be followed to safeguard children's welfare. She has taken active steps to provide additional resources reflecting positive images of diversity, so helping children learn to recognise and respect individual and cultural differences. Children begin to be familiar with what to do in the event of an emergency because evacuation procedures are displayed and the childminder involves children in discussing and practising these.

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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 satisfactory. 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 • develop organisation of records to ensure they are readily accessible to underpin children's care effectively • develop organisation and presentation of resources to extend children's opportunities for purposeful, challenging and independent play.

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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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