Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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260239 Unique Reference Number 02 November 2007 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 2001. She lives with her husband and their three children aged under one year, and nine and seven years in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with bathroom and sleeping facilities within this area. 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years, one of whom attends full time, and one child aged over eight years who attends before school. Two other children attend on an occasional basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and has a vehicle available to take them on outings. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler groups and 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 well protected from the risk of spread of infection through the childminder’s high standards of cleanliness within the home along with her clear policy regarding children who are ill or infectious. Younger children are beginning to learn about basic personal hygiene through daily routines which include hand washing before meals and after using the potty and a fun poster in the bathroom reminds older children when and why they need to wash their hands. There are mainly good arrangements in place to care for children in the event of an accident or emergency as the childminder has first aid equipment and written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, along with details of children’s medical history, readily to hand at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. The childminder provides freshly prepared meals and snacks that include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Drinks are freely available. She works in partnership with parents, providing meals in line with their wishes and children’s dietary requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a positive attitude to physical exercise. Along with daily walks to and from school, they access the garden most days where the variety of toys including balls, a see-saw and slide, provides a range of physical challenges. Regular visits to local parks allow children to run and to climb and balance on the larger equipment. Weekly visits to toddler groups and the toy library, along with occasional outings to indoor soft play areas provide further opportunities for physical play and ensure children continue to enjoy physical activity even in poor weather.

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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 safe and well-maintained environment and the organisation of toys and resources helps to create a child-friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The childminder uses space well; children easily access their toys from the accessible storage units in the play room and freely move around the home to explore them. There is a wide range of good quality play materials which are clean, regularly checked and developmentally appropriate so that they do not pose a risk to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good awareness of safety issues and provides high levels of supervision. She has identified possible hazards within the home and minimises these by use of appropriate safety equipment, for example, child locks are in place on low kitchen units and electric sockets are covered. This enables children to freely and safely move around during play. Good systems are in place to promote children’s welfare; the childminder has appropriate insurances in place and has given suitable consideration to emergency care arrangements. The childminder has undertaken a comprehensive risk assessment of the garden area and taken appropriate action to minimise risk of accidental injury. Good procedures are in place to ensure that children remain safe when outside of the home. For example, they have appropriate car seats, hold on to the pushchair when walking and learn to cross the road safely. Children are protected from harm

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

because the childminder understands her responsibilities with regard to child protection and has relevant contact numbers readily to hand if needed.

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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 happy and settled due to the childminder’s sensitive settling-in procedures. They have good relationships with her and gain in personal confidence through her high levels of interaction and kind and caring nature. She offers high levels of attention and ongoing praise for their efforts and co-operation. They confidently approach her with toys and books to share and sit closely as she reads stories and engages with them in play. They confidently explore their toys and are beginning to develop their independence and self-esteem as they make independent choices from the range of toys available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children participate in a broad and varied range of experiences. The childminder is making effective use of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework’ as a reference guide and to glean ideas to plan interesting activities such as investigating animals and different forms of transport, and growing plants and seeds. The well-equipped playroom and garden provide a wide variety of toys and games which children select from. Daily routines include quiet times and active times so children have opportunities to rest and relax, along with regular opportunities for physical activity such as dancing and moving to action rhymes and playing in the garden. Weekly visits to the toy library and various toddler groups introduce children to large group activities and support their developing social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder has established appropriate systems to share information with parents and has a sound knowledge of children’s individual needs. She has appropriate systems in place to ensure that children with special needs are fully included in her provision. Children are beginning to gain an awareness of the local community through regular outings to local groups, shops and parks. A good selection of books and toys which present images of differences within society helps to raise their awareness of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well due to the childminder’s high levels of support and attention. Younger children are developing an understanding about what acceptable behaviour is, due to her clear and consistently applied boundaries. For example, young children learn to treat each other gently and not to take toys from each other. The childminder’s effective use of praise helps to build children’s confidence and self-esteem. She establishes good relationships with parents, exchanging ongoing communication to ensure she is able to fully meet children's individual needs. She obtains a detailed understanding of their individual routines before she begins caring for them and provides a range of written information for parents about children’s daily routines and activities. This helps to promote consistency and continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and confident in the childminder’s care. Her good organisation of space within the home allows them to eat and rest in comfort. They develop their independence through being able to choose toys themselves and move around freely whilst they explore them. The childminder organises daily routines well to ensure that children spend a good balance of time indoors and outdoors; she makes good use of the garden and local resources to enhance

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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 children’s experiences. She liaises closely with parents so they are clear of the arrangements for children to attend the supporting crèche during her own attendance at training events.

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Organisation

Although 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, her previous certificate has recently lapsed and she is booked on a course within the next few weeks. She has sought professional advice regarding up-to-date first aid practices and has first aid equipment, along with children’s medical information and parental consent for urgent medical treatment, readily available to be able to respond swiftly in the event of an accident or emergency. She evidences a commitment to continuing to improve the quality of care she provides though her regular attendance at relevant courses. She has all the necessary documents in place in order to safeguard and promote children’s welfare. She has devised a range of written information regarding her provision, which she shares with parents and which promote children’s continuity of care. Overall, the

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Organisation

provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the provider agreed to one recommendation, to develop written policies and procedures. She now has a folder which contains a variety of information including a selection of policies. These are shared with parents prior to children attending which helps to promote consistency of care for children.

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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 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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