Childminder in Nottingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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254861 Unique Reference Number 14 January 2008 Inspection date Hayley Lapworth 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 in a semi-detached house with her husband and two children in the Heathfield area of Nottingham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is also 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding five children on a part-time basis. The childminder attends local toddler groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming environment where they develop a clear understanding of the importance of good hygiene. This is achieved through consistent routines that the childminder promotes. Young children have fun whilst they are learning about their own personal hygiene. For example, if children do not complete the hand washing procedure

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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 effectively the childminder creates a game, she laughs with the children, tickles them and in turn they respond with laughter and return to the basin. In addition the childminder is a good role model who washes her hands regularly explaining to the children as she goes. The bathroom is easily accessed and confidently used by the older children. The area is child friendly with appropriate equipment enabling the children to grow in independence.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s well-being and dietary needs are being promoted in all aspects of their care. This is achieved because the childminder has spent time with the children’s parents to determine how to best meet their individual needs. Effective procedures regarding the administration of medication and dealing with accidents ensure that children receive appropriate treatment whilst in the care of the childminder. Parents are kept well informed of any issues relating to their children’s health. As a result, children are cared for consistently.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and have on-going access to drinks. The childminder is knowledgeable about children’s nutritional needs and provides foods accordingly. Children are protected against the risks of cross infection as food preparation and the storage of food reflects safety requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children use a good range of toys and equipment suitable to their individual stage of development. For example, in the bathroom they use a step to access the sink for hand washing. Older children learn from the childminder how to manoeuvre dolls pushchairs safely in the home and in turn they maturely share this with their younger peers. This is best demonstrated by the way an older child showed a younger child how to steer a pushchair to avoid banging into the doors. Consequently, they are learning about safety from one another.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is continually safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures. She is fully aware of her responsibilities in the event of a concern and ensures children are not put in venerable situations or left unattended. For example, making sure that on trips and outings all children are competently supervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enter an environment that is well maintained, bright and warm. The childminder has taken many steps indoors to enhance the children’s safety, for example, by using safety socket covers and storing chemicals out of reach. Outdoors in the rear garden the childminder has also considered the children’s safety. However, the garden pond in one small area is accessible to the children. This potentially compromises their safety whilst outdoors.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children in this setting are settled, very happy and clearly have fun in the care of the childminder. They regularly have fun together through play and routines. For example, when visiting the bathroom on the way they play a short game of hiding from the childminder. All age groups enjoy the activities that are on offer. Children have many opportunities to be creative which incorporates elements of both being adult and child led. For example, when free painting children create and name their own work and as they begin to lose interest the childminder makes suggestions and shows them how to make double patterns by folding the paper. The childminder has some understanding of the ‘birth to three matters’ framework and plans some activities with this in mind. Therefore, children's development is enhanced through their play.

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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 Many aspects of children’s development are fostered well by the childminder. Their imagination and knowledge of the world around them is expressed as they play mummies and daddies and use sign language to accompany their singing of ‘Miss Polly had a dolly'. Children access a good variety of resources which incorporate their interests and present them with additional challenges. Children’s social skills are enhanced by the conversations they share with the childminder and spending time with other children. This is achieved through the childminders close links with local toddler groups and visiting activity centres and parks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children and their families are welcomed into the setting by the childminder who clearly enjoys her role. Time is allocated to obtain information about children’s individual needs from their parents in order to effectively promote their health, diet and well-being. As a result, children benefit from appropriate and consistent care. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are looked after appropriately. This is achieved because the childminder is generally confident about how children's needs differ and the support children may need. The childminder works well with parents and knows where to direct them to relevant professionals should there be any concerns about their children's development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children benefit from the childminders positive attitude towards diversity. Their knowledge and understanding of the world around them is beginning to be developed. This is introduced through a variety of resources which positively depict images of race, culture and religion. These include books, small play figures and celebrating some festivals. However, there are fewer materials to support children's learning about disabilities, potentially restricting their understanding in this area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children display positive self-esteem and confidence. This is partly achieved through choices they make about their own play and because their achievements are recognised and celebrated. An example of this is when children create paintings of animals the childminder tells them how wonderful they are and points out recognisable parts of the animal, such as its nose. Consequently, children are proud of their creations and feel good about themselves.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Parents are reassured that their children are safeguarded because the childminder ensures the suitability of herself and others living on the premises. Children’s care, learning and play benefits from the childminder pursuing her knowledge and practice as a result of attending training workshops. For example, she has attended a course in first aid.

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Organisation

Children’s overall care is supported by the documentation that the childminder maintains. All relevant records and parental consents are in place along with accurate attendance records clearly showing children’s times of arrival and departure. As a result, children’s safety and welfare is enhanced.

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Organisation

The children are confident individuals who settle well on arrival and have secure bonds with the childminder. She is well organised and plans activities that are fun, meaningful and stimulating. Children benefit from the childminders involvement in their learning, she allows them to lead their own play and supports them where appropriate to extend their learning. Consequently, children are occupied and being presented with challenges appropriate to their

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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 individual stages of development. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection childminder agreed to a recommendation to take positive steps to promote safety by ensuring that sharp kitchen knives are inaccessible and the emergency escape plan is practised with the children. The childminder has made sharp objects inaccessible to children and she has devised and implemented a procedure to be followed in the event of an emergency. Consequently, children's safety needs are being promoted as a result of improvements implemented by the childminder.

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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. The provider is required to have procedures for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents and to keep a record of complaints and there outcome.

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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): • make sure that the garden pond is completely inaccessible to children • increase resources which promote the children's understanding of disabilities.

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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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