Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY344965 Unique Reference Number 27 July 2007 Inspection date Janice Walker Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2007. She lives in a first floor flat, in the Carlton area of Nottingham, close to Nottingham city centre. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is no garden available for outdoor play. The family do not keep any pets.

p.2

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 two children, one of whom is under five years and one of whom is over eight years. The childminder has a vehicle available to take and collect children to and from school and to take them on outings. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and clean home. The childminder maintains appropriate standards of cleanliness within the home and ensures that she maintains toys in a clean condition. She also has a clear sick child policy in place which she shares with parents and this helps to minimise the risk of spread of infection. The childminder maintains relevant records in order

p.2

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 to support children's health needs. Her up to date first aid training along with written consent from parents to seek urgent medical treatment ensures that children can be well cared for in the event of an accident. Regular access to fresh air and exercise contributes to children’s well-being. They enjoy daily outings for fresh air and exercise and, during poor weather, visit indoor facilities such as soft play areas or the swimming pool. Daily routines take into consideration children’s individual needs and young children are able to eat and rest in line with home routines.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular meals and drinks are available at all times. The childminder provides all meals for children and ensures that these are in line with parents’ wishes and that she meets children’s dietary needs. Meals are varied and well balanced and include regular portions of fresh fruit and vegetables to contribute to children’s overall good health.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. The childminder has a satisfactory awareness of safety issues and has taken reasonable precautions to minimise the risk of accidents. For example, electrical sockets are covered and cleaning materials stored out of children’s reach. This enables children to move safely around their play areas. The childminder provides good levels of supervision, which minimises the risk of accidental injury. Children can safely access their play materials and the childminder maintains toys to a good standard, checking for damage on a regular basis to ensure that they do not pose a risk to children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are effective systems in place to ensure that children can be well cared for in the event of an emergency and appropriate fire precautions are in place. Children remain safe when outside of the home as the childminder makes appropriate use of safety equipment and ensures children remain within her sight at all times. The childminder promotes children’s welfare through her knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities regarding child protection and has contact numbers readily to hand if required.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are content in the childminder’s care. They develop an interest in the world around them through daily trips to school and walks around the local environment to look for animals and other objects of interest. They enjoy regular outings, naming parks and the swimming pool as particular favourite places to visit. They begin to develop their social skills as they have regular contact with other children and enjoy occasional visits to the library to attend sing-a-long sessions. Indoors, children independently access the toys of their choice from the cupboards in the bedroom. They access a range of activities including baking, sticking, painting, water play and play dough. However, although the childminder has begun to build a range of resources, using natural materials to enhance these, these are not extensive enough to promote all areas of development for all children attending, nor are they organised and available to children in

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

a way which helps to create a stimulating environment and ensure that children are engaged in purposeful activities at all times.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder knows the children well, they have warm relationships with her, securely seeking her attention and support as needed. They confidently move around the home and express their needs and wishes. They eat and sleep as they need and the childminder ensures parents are aware of what they have been doing in order to promote consistency of care. However, the

p.3

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 childminder is not yet fully familiar with the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and does not yet use this to plan and evaluate young children's progress in order to identify the next steps in their development.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have their individual needs met because the childminder establishes effective relationships with parents and gathers an appropriate level of information to enable her to do so. She is aware of the information she would need to gather concerning a child's learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Children choose their own play materials and are included in deciding the day’s activities and places to visit which promotes their independence and self-esteem. They begin to learn about the local community through walks around the immediate environment along with visits to the local library. They begin to learn about the wider world as they access a range of books and play resources that reflect positive images of differences within society.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. The childminder provides high levels of attention and encourages good behaviour through praise and reward. She has a suitable awareness of appropriate behaviour management strategies and children benefit from clear and consistent boundaries. The childminder provides a range of written information for parents to inform them of her practices. She exchanges information with them on a daily basis which helps to ensure that she is aware of children’s routines in order that she can meet their individual needs.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has all the legally required records in place although she does not accurately record the times children are actually in her care which could possibly compromise their welfare. She has attended required training to help promote children’s safety and well-being. She utilises her time effectively to meet the needs of the children in her care, they spend times indoors and outdoors, and eat and rest according to their individual routines. Space within the home is organised so that children can safely move around and explore their play materials, with quiet and comfortable space to sleep. Resources are easily accessible. Children are relaxed and content in their environment and confidently and independently move around and make their needs and wishes known. Overall children’s needs are met.

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

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): • improve outcomes for children under three by implementing an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework • continue to develop the range of resources to enable children of all ages to develop their intellectual, social, creative and physical skills • ensure that the registers clearly indicate children’s actual hours of attendance.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5