Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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252456 Unique Reference Number 26 February 2008 Inspection date Janice Walker 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 1995. She lives with her husband and four adult children in a suburb of Nottingham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with bathroom and sleeping facilities available within this area and there is a fully enclosed 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 five children, three of whom are aged under five years. All children currently attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She does not have use of a vehicle but uses various forms of public transport to take them on outings. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 clear policy regarding children who are unwell

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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 along with her effective hygiene routines and good practices. For example, her nappy changing routines, and provision of individual face cloths and hair brushes for each child. The childminder ensures that young children are able to rest and sleep according to their individual needs. There are very good arrangements in place to care for children in the event of an accident or emergency as the childminder has up to date first aid training, a well-stocked first aid box and written consent from parents for emergency medical advice or treatment which is readily to hand at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their dietary needs met because the childminder provides meals in line with parents’ wishes. The childminder has a good awareness of children’s individual dietary needs and ensures she abides by these. Children are beginning to learn about the importance of healthy eating by having balanced meals and eating fresh fruits at snack times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s good health is further promoted as they enjoy daily times outdoors for fresh air and physical activity. They enjoy walks around the local environment and playing with the wide range of equipment in the garden such as balls, ride-on toys and hop scotch games. Weather permitting, they regularly visit the local parks where they practise their climbing and balancing skills on the wide range of larger equipment. However, the sleeping arrangements for younger babies do not enable them to lie completely flat, which could pose a possible risk to their healthy growth and development.

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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 well-organised, child-friendly, safe and secure home. The wide range of toys and play materials are of high quality. They are stored within easy reach of children so that they can independently choose what they want to play with. The childminder has sound systems in place to ensure that toys are maintained in good, clean condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children move around and play in their environment freely and independently because the childminder has taken appropriate action to minimise possible risks. For example, low-level glass is covered with safety film, electric sockets are covered and hazardous substances are stored out of children’s reach. The childminder further promotes children’s safety through her high levels of supervision. The premises are secure and there are clear procedures in place to ensure she is able to respond effectively in the event of an emergency such as a child not collected, an accident or a lost child.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Clear rules are in place to ensure that children remain safe when outside of the home, for example, they know they must hold the buggy when walking along the pavement and know which equipment is age-appropriate for them at the park. Children are learning about possible dangers and how to keep themselves safe through daily routines and discussions. For example, they learn how to cross the road safely and know not to touch animals. Children’s welfare is safeguarded as the childminder fully understands her responsibilities regarding child protection and has relevant contact numbers readily available. She has attended recent training to reinforce her knowledge and has a detailed written procedure in place which she shares with parents so that they are also clear of her responsibilities.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. They have warm relationships with her, confidently asking for support when needed and expressing their needs and wishes. Through drawing children in to share each other’s achievements, the childminder supports children to build good relationships with each other and older children display care and consideration to those who are younger. The childminder knows the children well and establishes daily routines around their individual needs. This means that they eat and sleep in line with home routines to promote consistency of care. She monitors children’s progress through use of observations and assessments and uses these to identify the next steps in their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children freely move around the home making choices in their play and daily routines ensure that they enjoy a good balance of time indoors and outside of the home accessing a wide variety of experiences. The childminder has a comprehensive understanding of how children learn through play and provides an interesting and stimulating environment. Daily activities such as art and craft sessions provide opportunities for children to explore their creativity using different materials. The childminder places resources strategically to capture children’s interests. She then seizes opportunities to extend their learning. For example, children count confidently and are able to correctly identify numerals nought to nine as a result of looking at, removing and replacing the cardboard numbers stored in the pencil box. They enjoy fun games, such as alphabet bingo, which introduce them to letter shapes and sounds. Children learn a sense of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

time through the daily routine of looking at the calendar; they discuss the season, day, date and weather and excitedly announce changes as they occur ‘oh no, it’s going to rain’ as clouds build and the earlier sunshine disappears. Young children eagerly share books with the childminder; they are familiar with a wide range and knowledgably select favourites, joining in with familiar phrases and recalling the story as they point at the pictures. The childminder rewards their efforts with effusive praise and encouragement. She seizes unplanned opportunities to support their learning, for example, they pause in their play to look at a frog as it sits on the patio, watch the fox sunbathing in the garden and laugh at the birds splashing each other in the bird bath, discussing the features and actions of each one. She offers very high levels of support, interacting with children in their play and extending their language and learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals as the childminder is respectful of their needs and wishes. She establishes good relationships with parents from the outset and gathers a good level of information to ensure that she is able to care for children in line with home routines. Children make choices and take decisions, promoting their confidence and self-esteem. They show consideration for each other as the childminder supports them to understand each other’s differing needs. For example, older children wait patiently for their lunch until babies have finished being fed and, unprompted, fetch them a drink from the kitchen because they might be thirsty. The childminder has secure systems in place to ensure that children with learning difficulties and/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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

such as the park, shops and schools. They are beginning to learn about the wider world through the provision of a wide and varied range of toys and equipment that promote positive images of differences such as story and non-fiction books, jigsaws, dolls and selected television programmes.

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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 Children’s behaviour is exemplary. The childminder provides very high levels of attention, she offers children choices to avoid confrontation and is effusive in her praise and encouragement. Children consequently develop high levels of self-esteem and are keen to please. The childminder describes appropriate strategies for managing any unwanted behaviour and, through her ongoing support, young children are learning to share and take turns. The childminder shares a comprehensive range of written information with parents, keeping them well informed about her practices. She exchanges ongoing detailed information with them to ensure all children are cared for within their usual routines and to keep them well informed about children’s daily care and activities. Children benefit from this positive working relationship, which promotes

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children confidently and independently move around their identified play areas and are happy and settled in the childminder’s care. They comfortably eat, rest and explore their play materials due to the childminder’s effective organisation of space and resources. The childminder plans and organises daily routines and activities to ensure that children have opportunities to engage in a wide variety of stimulating experiences both inside and outside of the home. She organises her time effectively to ensure that children receive high levels of attention whilst in her care.

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Organisation

The childminder has all the necessary documents in place in order to safeguard and promote children’s safety and welfare. These are meticulously organised and contain a good level of detail. She shares all records appropriately with parents, promoting close working relationships and continuity of care for children. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the provider agreed to one recommendation which was to ensure the emergency escape plan is practised. The childminder now practises this with minded children on an annual basis to ensure that she is able to support them to swiftly evacuate the home in the event of an emergency, thus further promoting their safety within the setting.

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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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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): • review the sleeping arrangements for young babies to ensure that they can lie completely flat when sleeping for longer periods.

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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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