Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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252821 Unique Reference Number 12 March 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 satisfactory. 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 1987. She lives with her husband and their adult children in the Newark suburb of Rainworth, Nottinghamshire. The home is within walking distance of schools, parks and shops. All areas of the property are used for childminding, although this mainly takes place on the ground floor. Bathroom facilities are on the first floor and sleeping facilities are available on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has two rabbits as 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 four children aged under five, all of whom 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 is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 are looked after in a warm and clean environment. They are protected from the risk of spread of infection through the childminder’s effective hygiene routines such as her nappy changing procedures and arrangements for children who sleep, along with her clear policy regarding children with contagious illnesses. Children learn good basic hygiene practices through daily routines such as washing their hands before meals. There are mainly good arrangements in place to care for children in the event of an accident or emergency; written parental permission for medical emergencies is in place along with clear arrangements for emergency care and an at-a-glance check list for dealing with accidents and illnesses.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. The childminder negotiates individual arrangements for meals with parents, respecting their wishes and ensuring that she meets specific dietary requirements. Children have well-balanced meals provided either by their parents’ or by the childminder who encourages them to eat a varied and nutritious range of foods to promote their good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have ample space to move around indoors. They develop good fine motor skills through regular opportunities to use small tools, for example, during craft activities and when feeding themselves using correct cutlery. Daily routines are established around the requirements of individual children who are able to rest and sleep in line with home routines. Daily walks to school and around the local environment provide children with fresh air and exercise whilst visits to play parks provide opportunities for them to practise their climbing and balancing skills.

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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 warm and very well maintained environment. The childminder has a good awareness of safety issues and is vigilant in her supervision of the children. She has identified potential hazards and minimised these ,either by removal or by use of appropriate safety equipment such as socket covers, consequently minimising the risk of accidents inside the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use good quality toys and equipment that are appropriate to their age and stage of development. The childminder ensures that she checks these on an ongoing basis in order to ensure that they remain in a safe, clean condition so that they do not pose a risk to children. Good systems are in place to promote children’s welfare as the childminder has appropriate insurances and carefully considered emergency care arrangements in place. Children’s safety and welfare is promoted when outside of the home due to the childminder’s appropriate use of safety equipment such as car seats and wrist restraints. Through discussion and safe practices, they learn about possible dangers from traffic and learn safe ways to cross the roads.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as the childminder has comprehensive knowledge and experience of child protection issues. She has a clear written procedure, which she shares with parents so that they are also clear of her responsibilities in this area and has relevant contact numbers readily available.

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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 have warm and affectionate relationships with the childminder. She is kind and caring and through her gentle support, praise and encouragement, children gain the confidence to express their needs and wishes. Children also develop good relationships with each other, the childminder makes frequent reference to them in their absence and they discuss and look forward to joint activities. Children develop self-help and independence skills though daily routines. For example, they learn to manipulate their own cutlery at meal times and to feed themselves with these. They freely move around their identified play areas, developing confidence and self-esteem as they select and explore their play materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make good progress in their development as the childminder plans activities using the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework. Working closely with parents, she identifies clear learning intentions and plans activities well to support their progress. Children thoroughly enjoy their time with her. Her knowledge of how children learn through play, along with her commitment to seeking different ideas, means that children enjoy a stimulating and exciting range of activities such as, jelly play and water activities. Daily routines incorporate children’s individual needs and include a good mix of indoor and outdoor play along with active and quiet times. Children particularly enjoy art and craft activities and the childminder provides a wide range of resources to support this such as glitter, glue, scissors, pens, pencils and stencils. Children also enjoy relaxed story sessions, snuggling closely with the childminder whilst they listen intently to the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

story and confidently share their thoughts and feelings about the fictional events and supporting pictures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Through her own observations of children and ongoing discussions with parents, the childminder has a comprehensive awareness of their individual needs and provides high levels of support and attention. She has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and ensures that they are fully included in her provision. Children are confident and happy and in her care, developing their self-esteem as they independently move around their identified play areas and make their own choices from the toys and play equipment available. They are beginning to learn about their local community through daily walks to school and attendance at school events along with visits to local parks. They begin to become aware of the wider world as they learn about different festivals such as the Hindu festival of Diwali and the Jewish festival of Sukkot through stories,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

songs and related art, craft and baking activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved. The childminder gives them high levels of attention and is calm and positive with them and their confidence visibly increases through her effective use of praise. Clear rules within the home which she gently but consistently reinforces, supports children’s understanding of right and wrong. The childminder establishes close and effective relationships with parents. She is highly respectful of their role as parents and works hard to meet their individual wishes for their children, working with them to identify individual learning targets and to care for children in line with home routines. Parents’ receive comprehensive written and verbal information that keeps them well-informed about her practices and their children’s daily activities.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children’s health is possibly compromised because the childminder was found not to be compliant with National Standard 1: in that she did not have in place a current first aid certificate. She is however, booked on the first available course within travelling distance. She evidences a commitment to continuing to improve the quality of care she provides though her attendance at numerous relevant courses. In addition, she uses the internet and childcare publications to research issues of interest and shares her findings with parents. She has all the necessary documents in place in order to safeguard and promote children’s welfare and these contain a good level of detail. She has devised a wide range of informative written policies regarding her practice, which she shares with parents and which promote children’s continuity of care.

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Organisation

Children are settled and very happy in the childminder’s care. They benefit from her good organisation of space, which allows them to eat and rest in comfort. They develop their independence through moving around their identified play areas making selections from the toys available. The childminder organises daily routines well to ensure that children can eat and rest in line with home routines and spend a good balance of time indoors and in the outdoor environment. The childminder is committed to supporting families and provides them with consistency and continuity of care, providing care for siblings over many years. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the provider agreed to two recommendations. These were to provide a smoke alarm on the first floor and to develop knowledge of recently published government guidance regarding child protection. A smoke alarm is now in place and regularly checked which further promotes children’s safety. The childminder has a copy of the government guidance and demonstrates a clear understanding of child protection issues, ensuring children’s welfare is safeguarded whilst in her care.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children.

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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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