Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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252684 Unique Reference Number 28 January 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 outstanding. 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 in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, close to local schools and shops. All areas of the property are used for childminding with bathroom and sleeping facilities at ground floor level. 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 a total of 16 children. Of these, 11 are aged under eight years, of whom five are aged under five. All children currently attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and has a vehicle available to take them on outings. She attends the local parent and toddler group and is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She holds the Quality First award from the NCMA quality assurance scheme.

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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 outstanding. Children are very well protected from the risk of spread of infection as the childminder gives high priority to cleanliness within the home. Her robust hygiene routines, clear health and hygiene policies and the provision of separate linen for individual children support this. Children are developing excellent personal hygiene awareness, for example, very young children spontaneously go to the sink to wash their hands after sitting on the toilet even though they are not yet toilet trained and routinely clean their teeth after meals. The childminder has comprehensive systems in place to respond to accidents and emergencies including arrangements for emergency carers, well-stocked first aid boxes and relevant contact numbers readily available at all times. She has attended training to ensure she is able to competently administer emergency medication in response to children’s identified health needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works in close partnership with parents to promote healthy eating within the home. She negotiates arrangements for meals with parents ensuring she provides these in line with their wishes. Sugary foods and those with additives are limited and children enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks consisting of a broad selection of seasonal fresh fruits. Meals provided are prepared using fresh ingredients, they are balanced and nutritious and have meticulous regard to children’s individual dietary requirements regarding allergies. Through planned activities, fun games and activities, children begin to become aware of and understand what constitutes a healthy diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a positive attitude to physical exercise. Along with daily walks, they have opportunities to develop their physical skills through a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. This includes regular access to the garden and local park where they run, climb and balance on a wide range of equipment, which promotes their coordination. They continue to have excellent opportunities to develop their physical skills in poorer weather. Equipment at toddler groups and soft play areas provide a variety of challenges and indoors they move and dance to music. Non mobile babies spend the majority of their time on their tummies on the floor to support muscle development and encourage independent movement.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a warm, child-centred and exceedingly well-maintained environment. They use high quality toys and equipment that are appropriate to their age and stage of development and meticulous routine checks of these help to ensure that they remain safe for children to use. The childminder has an excellent awareness of safety issues and has devised robust safety check lists relating to the indoor and outdoor environments and to outings. She undertakes ongoing risk assessments to ensure potential hazards are minimised. Her highly comprehensive checking systems ensure that equipment within the home such as gas appliances and fire fighting equipment are maintained in safe working order. Excellent systems are in place to ensure an appropriate response to emergency situations such as a lost child, child not collected or unexpected accidents to children, their parents or the childminder herself. All children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

regularly practise the emergency evacuation plan to support their ability to evacuate the building if necessary.

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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 are kept safe on outings due to the excellent measures in place such as use of appropriate safety equipment, availability of emergency contact numbers and first aid equipment. Children are learning about possible dangers and how to keep themselves safe within the home and the local environment. Older children, for example, spontaneously pick toys up off the floor to prevent trips and falls, know to wait until vehicles have stopped before they cross the road on the pedestrian crossing and do not touch dogs they don’t know. Well-organised, planned activities such as visits to the fire station support their understanding. Children are very well protected as the childminder has a thorough understanding of her responsibilities regarding child protection. She has a comprehensive written procedure in place, which she

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

shares with parents so that they are clear of her responsibilities and has relevant contact numbers readily available if needed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. She makes effective use of the ‘Birth to three maters’ framework to plan and provide a varied and imaginative range of activities. She also makes exceptionally good use of the activity plans from the local nursery school so that children’s learning is continuous. In her setting, through exciting planned activities and free exploration, children consolidate and extend the learning which takes place in the classroom. Through her close liaison with parents and her own observations, she has an extensive knowledge of what children can do. Using her comprehensive understanding of how children learn through play, she provides opportunities for them to build on their existing knowledge and skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Daily routines incorporate children’s individual needs and include a good mix of indoor and outdoor play, active and quiet times, free play and supervised activities along with opportunities to participate in large group play. Young children particularly enjoy painting activities. They learn the colours of the paint and freely experiment making marks. Encouraged by the childminder’s ongoing praise, they develop their hand-eye coordination as they hold and manoeuvre the brushes and competently make sure that the paint does not spill out of the pots. The childminder supports children’s learning through her innovative ideas. For example, she encourages their exploration of the local environment; they visit the church to light candles, make rubbings from the walls and enjoy the tranquillity of the church yard where they create pictures of their observations. They learn to value differences in society through their links

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

with, and activities related to, the 'Adopt-a-child in India' scheme. They correspond with a named child excitedly discovering what life is like for that child in his part of the world.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have close relationships with the childminder. She is kind and caring, providing gentle words and physical comfort when they are tired or upset. They begin to distinguish right from wrong and form positive relationships as she sets clear boundaries and patiently and consistently supports children to understand these. She models good language and gives children the opportunity and time to use their developing language skills. She continually talks to them and listens intently to their responses and they share stories with her, eagerly repeating familiar phrases and pointing out favourite pictures. Her motivation and enthusiasm while interacting with the children, creates a warm and vibrant atmosphere where children develop their confidence and self-esteem whilst having great fun.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children have their individual needs met because the childminder establishes close and productive relationships with parents to ensure she is fully aware of their needs and routines so that she can respond to these effectively. She has excellent systems in place to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and works closely with parents and relevant professionals to promote the welfare and development of all children. All children are valued and respected and they develop their self-esteem as they make independent choices regarding their play, see their photographs attractively displayed and all contribute to vibrant displays. They learn about the local community through visits to local parks and their attendance at local groups such as toddler groups and story sessions in the library. They enjoy art and craft, cooking and baking activities as part of planned activities to learn about similarities and differences in

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the wider world. This is supported through the childminder’s vast array of posters, books and equipment which reflect positive images of race, culture, gender, disability and family structure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s behaviour is exemplary because the childminder has clear boundaries in place which children are aware of. She provides high levels of attention and children beam with pride as she praises their positive behaviour. Her merit system is particularly effective with older children who bask in the award of a merit and carefully consider any unwanted behaviour to avoid a yellow strike. Younger children learn to play nicely together as the childminder actively supports them to share and take turns. They show respect for their environment as they treat their toys with care and put them neatly away when they have finished with them. The childminder shares an excellent, highly comprehensive range of written information with parents. Her detailed portfolio, which is readily to hand at all times, keeps them very well informed about her practices and her termly reports provide a vibrant summary of children’s developmental progress. The

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Helping children make a positive contribution

notice board in the kitchen displays reminders of forthcoming events. She gathers detailed information from parents from the outset to ensure that children are cared for within their usual routines and that she can respond capably to their individual needs. She has developed effective daily systems to share ongoing relevant information. Parents provide glowing reports about the high quality of care the childminder provides, exciting activities their children participate in and the rapid progress they make in their development. Children benefit from this positive working relationship, which promotes consistency and continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder’s highly effective organisation of her setting ensures that all children are well cared for. They benefit from her excellent planning of activities which encompass all areas of their development along with her exceedingly well-organised space and resources. Children freely move around their identified play areas, quieter activities generally take place in the lounge, creative activities in the kitchen and more active play in the conservatory. An identified room for sleeping purposes enables those who are tired to rest or sleep undisturbed as they need. All around the home, vivid posters help to create a stimulating environment and the display boards in the conservatory are effectively used to support and enhance planned activities and themes. The childminder’s efficient planning of activities ensures all children contribute to planned topics demonstrating the high value she places on each child.

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Organisation

Children gain from the childminder’s wealth of experience and her ongoing commitment to improve her practice. She has a comprehensive range of policies and procedures that she consistently applies and which she shares with all parents. All legally required documentation,

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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 which contributes to children’s health, safety and well-being, is in place and regularly reviewed and updated. She subscribes to several professional publications, makes highly effective use of the internet and has attended various relevant training courses to keep abreast of current childcare issues. She has achieved the Quality First quality assurance award and as part of this, she regularly evaluates and reviews her practice, continually striving to improve what she provides. The high quality of the provision means that, 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; to ensure written permission from parents is in place prior to administering medication to children. She has since devised new forms for parents to complete which ensures that this is in place, therefore helping to promote children’s good health.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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