Childminder, Out-of school day care in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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252936 Unique Reference Number 19 February 2008 Inspection date Sheila Dawn Flounders 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 1990. She lives with her husband and two adult children in West Bridgford on the outskirts of the city of Nottingham. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding with bathroom facilities on the first floor and there is 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five during the day, who attend various sessions. The childminder walks to local groups to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local childminding group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are encouraged towards a healthy lifestyle through regular access to physical play in the garden, at local groups and in the park. They are able to access a range of resources which help to develop their skills, for example, with ball games or wheeled toys and the childminder

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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 also organises activities such as a sports day in the summer to enhance their enjoyment and enthusiasm. Children are able to spend some time out in the fresh air on most days, with the childminder promoting activities such as going to feed the ducks to encourage those who are reluctant. Very young children are provided with space and opportunities to develop physical skills such as sitting and later crawling, with the childminder keeping simple developmental progress records to share with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Within the house children are taught to understand simple health and hygiene practices as they see the childminder clean the table before they eat and are taken to wash their hands, with towels changed daily, at other times wipes are used after messy play activities. There are robust measures in place to prevent the spread of infection such as thorough cleaning of the premises, regular cleaning of toys particularly those mouthed by the babies and nappy changing takes place well away from food preparation or serving areas. The sickness policy is shared with all parents to ensure that children do not attend when infectious with any illness and that they are collected quickly if taken ill. Suitable arrangements are in place for the storage of medication when needed, with necessary consents and information collected from parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well-nourished due to food currently provided by their parents, although the childminder has provided meals previously and does prepare the babies bottles. Storage is available in the family fridge and cool bags often used. Children have any health and dietary needs met because the childminder works with the parents to establish what these are before they attend, to ensure she is aware of any allergies or particular religious requirements. Children are well-hydrated with the childminder ensuring the older children have independent access to drinks, and frequently offering them to the babies according to their own routines. Young children's health is also supported as they are able to rest and sleep according to their needs with a travel cot available downstairs for the babies, whilst toddlers use either the pushchair or settee in keeping with their parents' wishes. Daily discussions take place so that the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder is aware of when they are likely to need a rest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has ensured that the children are cared for in premises that are safe, suitable and fit for their purpose. Children are able to access ample space within the ground floor of the house, which ensures that when mixed age groups attend they all have room to safely do differing activities if they wish. The childminder knows what activities they each enjoy and so tries to get some things out to welcome them when they arrive, then giving the older children opportunities to choose additional activities for themselves. She has a good awareness of possible hazards and has put necessary measures in place to protect children, for example, a gate is fitted to prevent the younger children from accessing the stairs unsupervised, low glass is filmed and socket covers are fitted. Apart from toileting all activities take place on the ground floor which ensures children are well-supervised at all times, including when sleeping. Children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

use only resources, toys and equipment which are suitable for their age and stage of development, with the childminder ensuring they are of suitable design, well-maintained and conform to safety standards with any damaged items quickly removed. They have access to the family furniture, but also some items specifically for their use such as a low-level table and chairs which contribute to the provision of an accessible environment for them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes positive steps to promote safety and minimize accidents with the children, for example, using reins for young walkers, harnesses in the pushchair and suitable car seats on outings. As a result children have few accidents, with those that do occur being minor,

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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 usually bumps and trips, fully shared with parents and well recorded. When children are old enough to walk confidently they begin to discuss road safety issues which they then practise every time they cross the road. Children are also made aware of the emergency evacuation plan and regular practises of the drill take place, although they are not currently recorded. Children are also protected because the childminder has a sound understanding of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse, knows what procedures to put in place if she has any concerns and shares her policy with parents so that they are also aware. She ensures that they are mainly only in contact with adults who have been vetted as suitable, such as her own family or other local childminders and has arrangements in place agreed with parents for another childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

who the children know to cover for any emergencies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have access to a wide range of age-appropriate activities, toys and resources which allow them to make progress in all areas of their development. The childminder plans some activities, particularly those involving visits outside of the home such as to the zoo, local group activities or to feed the ducks. At other times children have the freedom to choose what activities they want to engage in and follow their own interests, for example, becoming engrossed in doing a variety of jigsaws or building with lego. They are encouraged to tell the childminder what resources they want her to get out, or given choices at times, for example, of which picture they want to colour. Creativity features prominently in their activities, some planned others spontaneous, for example, they have made under the sea pictures, butterflies and lion faces. Often activities are linked to cultural or religious festivals, for examples, cards are made for

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Easter, Mother's and Father's Day, with pumpkins at Halloween.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop confidence and self-esteem as they complete these projects, with the childminder giving praise and encouragement whatever the end product. They then start to use their initiative to develop some of their own ideas, for example, tipping the whole jigsaw upside down as a quick way to get all the pieces out. They develop positive relationships with the childminder and other members of her family due to their interaction together at activities and as a result acquire new skills and knowledge constantly. The childminder records their significant milestones to share with parents and keeps a variety of evidence that demonstrates their individual progress and that they respond positively to the challenge she provides. As a result she knows the children well and is able to ensure that activities are appropriate to their needs, providing something achievable, yet stimulating, for example, jigsaws that are not too

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

easy or letting children choose what to build but adding suggestions at times. The children talk to the childminder about what they are doing, are able to ask when they want specific things or use gesture to make their wishes known. The babies are also vocal in letting the childminder know what they want and she responds appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have all their individual needs met well because the childminder is pro-active in finding out as much as possible about them from parents before they attend formally, during settling in visits as well as in her documentation. She takes care to find out about their extended family and their religion and culture, researching additional information if necessary to enable her to incorporate these into her practice. Once children attend she keeps regular on-going contact with the parents to ensure she is updated with any significant changes. Parents are asked to

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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 read all her policies and procedures and also have opportunities to record any comments or concerns they have in their child's file, although she does not currently have a system in place to show how she would deal with any written complaints.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

During daily sessions the children have many opportunities to make choices and decisions for themselves, for example, they are asked what order they want to eat their food in, or decide what activities to go to next from the range out on the floor thus encouraging their moves towards independence. The childminder shows that she respects their choices and opinions, for example, when they do not want to say very much or if they do not want to sing in front of others. Flexibility is provided in eating or sleep times according to when the children are ready and she also ensures that resources are available each day which are appropriate to the ages and ability of children attending. Children quickly develop a sense of belonging in the setting as the childminder tries to follow routines from home for the younger children, whilst the older ones are aware of the household rules, for example, knowing where to put their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

belongings when they come in. They all have periods of individual interaction with the childminder during the week.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged towards positive behaviour by praise and attention whenever possible, with simple boundaries in place, such as no hitting, so that they learn what behaviour is expected of them. Older children are usually removed from the situation if incidents occur so that the childminder is able to talk to them about what happened, with distraction used for younger children, and discussion later takes place with parents to keep them informed. Children have experience of the wider community as they use local resources, have access to a range of positive images in the toys they use and particularly as they take part in activities in connection with each others differing cultures.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder makes good use of the space within her home to provide children with ample free space on the ground floor to play and for their other routines needs such as sleeping and eating. She provides a balance between time spent within the home and other venues, and also between adult-initiated and child-led activities. She is pro-active in keeping herself updated through attending the local childminding group and continuing to access relevant training, for example, she has ensured she starts her new first aid training before her old certificate expired and has already attended sessions on the new Early Years Foundation Stage. She keeps all her documentation accurately maintained, with each child having an individual folder so that confidentiality is assured at all times. All paperwork such as policies and her registration certificate are available to parents and all necessary information and consents obtained from

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Organisation

them. All family members have undergone vetting and the childminder has obtained permission from parents, regarding the short term sole care of children, however Ofsted needs to be informed of this intention.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to ensure the garden was safe for children. Since then the garden has been altered, with the decking removed so that there are now small steps down to the lawned area within a totally enclosed garden, with the bottom part sectioned off so that children cannot access the greenhouse. This has improved their safety whilst using the garden.

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Improvements 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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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 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): • ensure that Ofsted are notified if family members are to be used as assistants • set up a system to record how any written complaints received from parents are handled.

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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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