Childminder in Nottingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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254903 Unique Reference Number 06 February 2008 Inspection date Sharon Dickinson 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 two adult children. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 three children under five all day and five children over five attending various sessions before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler group. The family has fish and a pet cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is an active member of the local childminding group and is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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’s good health is soundly promoted in the setting as there are effective hygiene procedures. The home is clean and organised. The childminder has completed food hygiene training and ensures food is prepared and served hygienically. Children learn about good hygiene through daily routines such as hand washing before meals. A well placed Thomas the tank engine poster provides a useful reminder for children to wash their hands after using the toilet. The risk of infection is effectively minimised and the good health of children maintained. A clear sick child policy is in place and children who are ill are excluded from the childminder's care, particularly if they are infectious. Children receive appropriate care when they have an accident or become ill to maintain their good health. The childminder has completed first aid training. A fully stocked first aid box is readily available both indoors and on outings. All required

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Helping children to be healthy

records are maintained for accidents and the administration of medication and these are effectively shared with parents. Good procedures are implemented to ensure animals are safe to be in the proximity of children and do not pose a health risk.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and their health and dietary needs are met because the childminder works well with parents. Information is obtained regarding special dietary requirements through children’s records and discussion with parents and the childminder takes heed of information provided. Parents provide baby foods and packed lunches for children attending all day. These include healthy options such as sandwiches, fruit and yoghurts. The childminder provides healthy snacks throughout the day such as toast and raisins. Fresh drinking water is readily available to children at all times and drinks are also provided at regular intervals. Babies’ meals are provided in line with individual daily routines; they are held and 'snuggle in' whilst being bottle fed. Children enjoy regular opportunities to be active and play outdoors which promotes development of their physical skills. A safe, secure and well equipped garden is available for

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Helping children to be healthy

outdoor play. Regular outings are undertaken both to local facilities and further afield. For example, weekly visits to the local toddler group and childminding drop in sessions held at the local community centre and wider trips to the zoo and farm.

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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 environment which helps them to feel secure and comfortable. Children’s art work is displayed helping to create stimulating environment. A welcome poster in various scripts is displayed in the entrance and photographs of children at play helps promote a sense of belonging. Children experience a well-organised space which is used effectively to allow them choice and free movement. They use a wide range of toys and equipment which is safe and suitable. Outdoors children enjoy using the trampoline, climbing frame, sandpit, football goal and wheeled toys. Sufficient equipment is provided for the needs of children attending, including appropriate furniture for children to rest or sleep in. Quiet areas are provided to enable individual sleep patterns to be facilitated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a secure and safe indoor environment. The childminder has a good understanding of safety issues and successfully ensures hazards to children are minimised. For example, safety locks are fitted to low-level cupboards in the kitchen and a safety gate is fitted to the bottom of the stairs to restrict children’s access. The childminder closely supervises children in her care whilst also allowing them the freedom to explore and extend their play.

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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 Children’s safety is promoted in the event of an emergency. They have produced a poster about fire safety which is clearly displayed and have discussed evacuation procedures with the childminder. Children also learn to keep themselves safe as they talk about road safety on outings, they recite the green cross code and remember that the word ‘concentrate’ means to think about what you are doing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder clearly understand her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. She has attended child protection training and has a sound knowledge of the types and indicators of abuse. Children’s safety and welfare is of utmost priority to the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder adopts a warm, friendly manner and children are happy and settled. They relate well to others and positively respond to the childminder who is interested in what they do and say. Older children show care and concern for babies attending giving cuddles and being careful during their play so as not to startle them. The childminder readily praises children, for example, for their art work and for using the toilet during potty training. Resources are organised so that they are readily accessible to children helping them to become confident to make decisions, explore and investigate. Children confidently move between rooms choosing from a range of fun and interesting play opportunities and resources. They play cooperatively and imaginatively as they use a hand held computer game as a telephone to call ‘PC Plod’ and ‘vacuum’ using a rocket shooter. Children are involved in a broad range of planned activities and spontaneous

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

events, which support their development and learning. They enjoy exploring paint with their hands and make symmetrical pictures when they fold the paper anticipating the end result and showing pride in their creations as they carefully unfold the picture. A range of floor activities and suitable resources such as treasure baskets are provided for babies to explore. Language and communication skills are developed as the childminder talks to and sings with babies using body language and facial expressions to encourage responses. Older children play musical instruments and cheerfully join in with a rendition of ‘You Are My Sunshine’ a tune they regularly sing with the childminder. Other activities provided include baking, decorating biscuits, dressing up, board games and creating designs using Hama beads. The childminder has attended ‘Birth to three matters’ training. She observes and informally assesses children’s progress and uses

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

this information to help children to take the next steps in their learning and development. For example, she recently approached parents about beginning to potty train their child in preparation for starting nursery.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have their individual needs met by the childminder who works in close partnership with parents. As a result children receive consistent and appropriate care. The childminder is very knowledgeable about children’s individual needs and routines. She discusses children’s progress with parents on a daily basis and liaises with them to ensure continuity of care. Children are helped to feel valued and included. Comforters are readily accessible and used as needed by children. Children benefit from activities and resources which help them value diversity. They paint self portraits using skin tone paints and make Chinese lanterns during Chinese New Year celebrations at the local community centre. Dolls and dressing up resources reflect different cultures and walking frames for dolls helps to promote an awareness of disability. Systems are

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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 in place to ensure children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities are appropriately cared for and given good levels of support whilst at the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are generally well behaved. They are cared for in a positive environment which effectively promotes their self-esteem. She provides a positive role model for children’s behaviour and offers gentle reminders, as necessary, such as remembering to use manners. Praise is given to the children at every opportunity. Children respond to consistent daily routines and clear expectations for their behaviour helping them to work harmoniously with others. Challenging behaviour is appropriately managed in order to support their well-being and begin to distinguish between right and wrong. The childminder talks to children about the consequences of their actions and, where appropriate, asks them to apologise for their behaviour. Activities and resources provided are promptly re-evaluated if children become disinterested and the childminder provides suitable alternatives in line with children 's interests to maintain their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

attention and engage them in purposeful play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good systems are in place to exchange information between parents and the childminder promoting continuity of care. The childminder discusses children’s day and achievements verbally with parents on a daily basis and younger children have a daily journal to support communication between home and the childminder. Parents are very complimentary about the service. In written feedback they state ‘the childminder has a natural empathy with children’ and feel their children are ‘lovingly looked after in a supportive and stimulating home environment’. Clear procedures are in place to ensure children are only released from the care of the childminder to individuals named by the parent, effectively maintaining their safety.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder shows strong a commitment to continual professional development which supports the care and learning of all children. She has attended various training including first aid, fire safety and ‘Mind fit, Body fit’ run by the NCMA. Good use is made of time, space and resources to positively support children’s care, learning and play. The daily routine fits around the children’s individual needs. Record systems are generally used well to meet children’s needs. All required records and documentation is in place and well organised. However, the daily record of attendance is not maintained accurately and kept up to date potentially compromising children’s safety in an emergency. Written policies and procedures are in place, are pertinent to the setting, and are effectively shared with parents. Documentation is stored securely to protect privacy and confidentiality. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to maintain a written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children. Robust procedures are now in place relating to the administration of medicines to children. Parental consent is obtained prior to any medication being given and a full and clear record is maintained outlining dosage and times administered to children. This record is signed by parents upon collection.

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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

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 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): • maintain an accurate and up to date daily record of children's attendance.

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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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