Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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252982 Unique Reference Number 19 April 2007 Inspection date Ros Church 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 2000. She lives with her husband and three children in West Bridgford, Nottingham. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor, with toilet facilities available on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She currently cares for five children under five years part-time, and one child over five years. The childminder regularly attends the local childminding support group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health and well-being are promoted as they are looked after in a clean and comfortable environment. They stay healthy because the childminder follows effective hygiene procedures, and ensures the risk of spreading infection is minimised. For example, the childminder encourages the children to wash their hands after messy play and before handling food, and talks to them about the importance of carrying out these procedures. Good hygiene

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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 procedures are carried out when changing nappies to prevent cross-infection. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and keeps this up to date to ensure children are appropriately cared for if they become ill or have an accident. The childminder has good recording systems in place if she is required to give any medication or in the event of any accident whilst childminding. However, although there is a procedure in place for recording existing injuries which children arrive with, these have not always been recorded to ensure children's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and have good opportunities to learn about healthy eating. They enjoy a good variety of freshly prepared meals and snacks such as cucumber sandwiches and various pasta meals. Children are able to access drinks as they require from their individual drinking cups, this ensures that they do not become thirsty. The childminder works well with the parents to ensure that children's and babies individual dietary requirements and routines are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy daily opportunities for physical exercise and fresh air. They visit local parks and use the range of fixed climbing and balancing equipment. Activities are provided within the garden which encourage physical skills such as running and ball games, throwing and catching bean bags, and various wheeled toys such as tricycles, scooters and cars to encourage children's steering and pedalling skills.

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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 welcoming, safe and secure environment. The rooms on the ground floor provide children with good space to move around and play freely. Play equipment is set out for the children prior to them arriving this provides a child-centred and welcoming environment. Activities and equipment are clean, well-maintained and suitable for the children attending. The childminder has a good awareness of safety issues, she identifies and reduces any potential hazards. For example, hazardous cleaning materials are kept in a locked cupboard, socket covers are in place and a safety gate is positioned at the bottom of the stairs to ensure children's safety. The childminder ensures that children are supervised at all times, this means that they are able to move around safely and independently which increases their confidence. Effective prevention and detection measures are in place in case of fire, and emergency

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

evacuation procedures are practised regularly, this ensures that both the childminder and children know what to do in the case of an emergency. Outings are well planned to ensure children's safety, appropriate seat restraints are used when children travel in the car. Children learn about road safety when on walks, young children and babies are fastened safely into pushchairs. Children are well protected from harm as the childminder has a sound knowledge of the child protection procedures and knows what to do in the event of any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, confident and settled within the childminder's care. They enjoy taking part in the good range of planned activities which take account of children's development. For example, the childminder plans and provides a variety of art and craft activities, these include different types of painting such as brush and marble painting, and collage activities. During a painting activity young children enjoy exploring the colours and texture of the paints. The childminder uses resources such as the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework, along with her knowledge and understanding of how children learn through play, to help her plan and provide

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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 a broad and interesting variety of activities covering all areas of development. She keeps a record of children's progress, this helps her to plan appropriately to meet individual needs. The childminder has a good selection of toys and equipment which are rotated and set out daily to meet children's developmental needs. However, additional equipment is not always easily accessible for children to be independent in extending their play further.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop good relationships with the childminder and one another. They learn to share and take turns with equipment. For example, whilst playing with the play kitchen equipment young children learn to share the cups as they make pretend drinks. Children enjoy listening to favourite stories such as 'Sid the Hissing Snake' and 'Elmer', the childminder extends activities and children's learning by planning creative activities which link to the story, such as making a rattle snake or collage of 'Elmer'. Children benefit from the excellent interaction of the childminder, this helps them to develop in their language and imagination.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are respected and valued as individuals. They benefit from the childminder knowing them well and effectively working with the parents to meet their individual needs. Babies and young children's individual care and routines are followed, this provides a consistent approach to their care and increases their sense of well-being. The childminder has systems in place to support the inclusion of children with identified disabilities or learning difficulties. Parents are provided with written policies and procedures which enables them to be fully informed about the childminder's routines and child care practices. Daily discussions, individual diaries on children's care, and developmental records ensure parents are well informed about their child's progress and routines, and ensures consistency in children's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about the local community through daily walks in the surrounding areas and routine visits to the library, parks and shops. 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 similarities and differences in society. The childminder builds on this by planning activities such as food tasting and craft activities to raise children’s awareness of different festivals. However, toys and resources which promote positive images of society are not always easily accessible, to enable children to access equipment independently and learn about similarities and differences. Children's behaviour is good. The childminder interacts well with the children in a caring and calm manner, managing their behaviour in a positive way which promotes their self-esteem and confidence. Children learn to play co-operatively together, to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

share and take turns with the equipment.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's safety and welfare is well-maintained by the childminder who has a clear understanding of the National Standards and her responsibilities to the children and their parents. The childminder interacts well with the children, meeting their individual needs and development. Children's safety and well-being are maintained, as they receive good levels of support and supervision which helps them to feel secure. Children's records are well-organised and maintained, each child has their own folder which contains information on their care and development, this ensures confidentiality is maintained. Parents receive good information about the childminder's child care service as she provides them with a copy of her policies and

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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 procedures. The childminder shows commitment to her development through attending relevant courses such as managing children's behaviour and keeping up to date with first aid training, this helps her to support the needs of the children in her care. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to build on equipment to meet the needs of pre-school children with regard to construction toys. The childminder now provides children with a variety of construction toys which include stickle bricks, Duplo Lego and activities which promote children's manipulative and construction skills.

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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): • further develop systems for recording accidents and incidents, with regard to recording existing injuries children arrive with • extend further the play provision to ensure additional equipment which includes positive images of society are easily accessible for children to access independently.

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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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