Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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252534 Unique Reference Number 21 March 2007 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 1993. She lives with her husband and teenage daughter in the village of Calverton on the outskirts of Nottingham. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with bathroom and sleeping facilities within this area. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family do not keep any 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 12 children all of whom attend on a part time basis. Seven of these children are aged under eight years, of whom four are aged under five years. The childminder does not use her vehicle for childminding purposes and walks to local facilities and to local schools to take and collect children. She supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities and runs the local weekly toy library, along with the local parent and toddler group. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 looked after in a warm and clean environment. They are protected from the risk of spreading infection through the childminder’s very good hygiene practices such as nappy changing routines, meal preparation routines and hand washing arrangements. A very good range of policies relating for example, to sickness, health and hygiene support this. The childminder works effectively with parents to identify and continue to meet children’s individual health needs and maintains relevant records to reinforce this. She has all required documentation in place to promote children’s good health although the medication records do not all contain the required level of detail. Children are learning about basic personal hygiene through daily routines such as washing hands after playing in the garden or touching animals. There are good systems in place to deal with accidents and emergencies, including a readily available first aid

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Helping children to be healthy

box, written parental consent for urgent medical treatment and emergency procedures.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children go for regular walks for fresh air and exercise as part of daily routines; walking to school, toddler group and local amenities. They regularly access the garden where the wide range of equipment presents a variety of physical challenges including climbing, balancing and strength challenges. Weekly visits to toddler groups for younger children along with frequent participation in action rhymes and indoor keep-fit sessions provide opportunities for physical activity during poorer weather. Children are very well nourished because the childminder actively promotes healthy eating. They eat a varied and nutritious range of foods which she provides through planned menus. Meals are home-made, using fresh ingredients, and include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and foods from around the world. Fats, sugar, salt, additives, preservatives and colourings are limited. Through discussion, activities and displays, the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder supports children’s understanding about which foods are healthy, and those that are less so. She has a clear understanding of children’s individual dietary needs and works closely with parents to ensure that these are met.

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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, child-centred and very well maintained environment. The childminder has a good awareness of safety issues. She has identified and reduced potential hazards and is vigilant in her supervision of the children, therefore minimising the risk of accidental injury. Children are learning about safety issues within the home through daily routines and discussions. For example, they help to tidy away after finishing with toys and know to put their bags, coats and shoes on the rack to prevent trips and falls. They regularly discuss and practise the emergency escape plan to support their ability to evacuate the building in the event of an emergency. The childminder has very good systems in place to ensure that she promotes children’s safety at all times. For example, she has appropriate insurances in place and has devised carefully considered procedures which ensure that children can be well cared

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

for in the event of unforeseen circumstances or an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use good quality toys and equipment that are appropriate to their age and stage of development. The childminder monitors the condition of these on an ongoing basis to ensure that they do not pose a risk to children. Her procedures for outings contribute to children’s safety when outside of the home environment. She makes effective use of safety equipment such as harnesses, reins and wrist restraints, and older children learn where and how to cross

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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 road safely. Children are well protected as the childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities regarding child protection and has attended relevant training to reinforce this. She has a detailed written procedure, which she shares with parents so that they are clear of her responsibilities from the outset.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and very happy in the childminder's home. They have good relationships with her, happily engaging with her in play and confidently moving around the home and expressing their needs and wishes. They are developing their self-esteem due to the childminder’s ongoing praise and encouragement for their co-operation and achievements. She meets children’s individual needs well as she establishes daily routines around these. For example, she ensures children eat and rest in line with home routines and parents’ wishes and is aware of when to support and when to step back and observe, allowing children space to explore their toys and play materials and develop their imagination through play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. She makes good use of appropriate resources such as the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework, along with her knowledge and understanding of how children learn through play, to plan a broad and interesting variety of activities covering all areas of development. She makes good use of observations to monitor children’s progress. Children enjoy a good balance of times indoors and outside of the home as part of daily routines. Indoors they enjoy well planned activities such as baking, growing cress and different forms of painting. The childminder’s high level of interaction and attention support children’s participation and extends their language and learning. Children particularly enjoy playing with small world and construction toys, and their imagination is developing well as they participate in lengthy make-believe play, which is well supported by good quality and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

plentiful resources. Regular visits to various community groups and local facilities introduce young children to large group activities and support their developing social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel valued and respected as individuals as the childminder has a sound knowledge of their individual needs. She works well with parents to gather a good level of information and ensures that all children, including those with learning difficulties or disabilities, are fully included in her provision. Children are learning about the local community through daily walks in surrounding areas and routine visits to local amenities such as the toy library, park and toddler group. They are beginning to learn about the wider world through the provision of a wide and varied range of toys and activities that promote positive images of differences. The childminder builds on this by planning activities such as food tasting, to raise children’s awareness of different festivals and regular visits to an elderly neighbour to raise their awareness and understanding of older people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s behaviour is very good. The childminder has established clear boundaries within the home and gently reminds children of these when necessary. Her high levels of attention, patient explanations along with ready praise, encourage their good behaviour and they learn to care for and respect each other and their environment. The childminder shares a very good range of written information with parents, keeping them well informed about her practices. However, she is not fully secure in her understanding of her responsibility regarding the investigation of

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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 complaints which potentially compromises relationships with parents. She exchanges ongoing detailed information to ensure all children are cared for within their usual routines and maintains daily diaries which keep parents well informed about children’s daily care and activities. Parents value the childminders loving and caring attitude along with the wide range of interesting activities she provides.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and confident in the childminder’s care. They benefit from her good organisation of space, which allows them to safely store their personal possessions and to eat, rest and play in comfort. The childminder organises daily routines well to ensure that children spend time engaged in interesting and age-appropriate activities time indoors and are involved in ventures outside of the home.

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Organisation

The childminder holds a recognised childcare qualification. She makes good use of the knowledge she has gained through this, along with experiences and knowledge gained through attendance at numerous relevant courses, to develop her service well. She has all the necessary documents in place in order to safeguard and promote children’s welfare. She has devised a wide range of informative written policies regarding her practice, which she shares with parents and which promote children’s continuity of care. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the provider agreed to two recommendations. The first was to devise a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious and discuss this with parents. A written policy is now in place and parents receive copies of all policies when children begin attending. This helps to minimise the risk of spread of infection and therefore improves children’s good health whilst at the setting. The second recommendation was to ensure a record of any complaints is maintained and a newly devised complaints policy ensures that any complaints received would be recorded.

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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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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 written parental permission is in place for all medicines administered to children and that all parents sign the record book to acknowledge the entry • improve knowledge of responsibilities regarding investigating complaints in line with regulations

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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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