Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY270189 Unique Reference Number 10 January 2008 Inspection date Sjertsje Ebbers 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 2003. She lives with her family and pet cats in a mid-terrace house in Nottingham. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with sleep and toilet facilities provided in this area. There is a small enclosed rear garden available for outside play. Shops, library facilities and a park are within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and has access to a local childminding group. She is a qualified children's nurse and has attended a course for Makaton.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are kept healthy while in the childminder's care. She provides children with a good balance of nutritious snacks and meals such as cheese sandwiches, cucumber and apples. Food provided by parents is stored safely and properly prepared by the childminder who has had relevant training on food safety. Children benefit from the regular opportunities they have for

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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 physical exercise and outdoor play. On a daily basis children enjoy the fresh air when going on the school run. This gives children first-hand contact with weather and the seasons. The childminder also regularly goes out for walks with the children to local parks. As a result of a healthy diet and physical exercise children are learning about healthy lifestyles.

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Helping children to be healthy

Positive steps are taken to promote children's good hygiene. For example, children are encouraged to wash or wipe their hands before meals. However, sometimes these hygiene procedures are not consistent, for example after sneezing or changing. As a result, the risk of cross-contamination is not always minimised. The childminder is knowledgeable in the field of children's health issues as she is a qualified children's nurse. Prompt action is taken when children are unwell or have an accident. There are clear exclusion periods in place for ill children which prevents other children from becoming infected. Accidents and intake of medication are recorded and all information about children's health is shared with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides children with a homely learning environment that is made welcoming to them and their parents. Photos of the children, engaged in entertaining activities, are displayed in the hall. The home is safe, secure and includes all necessary facilities for children. For example, provision is made for children to rest or sleep on the sofa while the childminder is in close proximity, engaged in play with other children. This ensures all children are well supervised and kept safe in the childminder's care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a wide range of interesting equipment and toys that are safe and appropriate for their needs. The resources are carefully selected to suit children's interests, age and developmental stages. Child-initiated play and independence is promoted because the toys and equipment are at children's level which allows them to self-select.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is alert to children's safety, in particular when children are playing together. She understands how to promote children’s safety and takes good precautions to prevent accidents. For example, she reminds children to be careful with each other and with toys. Extra care is taken when children go on outings and the childminder carries emergency details of all children with her. Written risk assessments are in place which help to identify hazards and minimise the risks to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection procedures approved by the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She is aware of her responsibility to protect the welfare of the child and to report concerns. This ensures children are safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy the close and warm relationships they have with the childminder. They are provided with a good variety of play and learning experiences whilst in her care. The childminder knows the children and their interests well and provides stimulating activities around their needs. For example, she regularly reads out stories and looks at books with the children to encourage their emerging language skills. She is constantly engaged in dialogue with the children and builds on their vocabulary. She listens attentively to the messages that young children are trying to convey and repeats their words to consolidate their learning.

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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 Children are becoming increasingly independent and confident. The childminder encourages them to make choices about their play and stimulates children to take on new challenges. For example, when a baby is stacking up blocks to build a tower, the childminder provides a choice of different size blocks. She engages in playful interaction with the younger children and allows them to build on their exploratory nature. For example, a baby enjoys exploring the childminder's face which helps children to recognise that they are separate and different from others. Babies also enjoy exploring sounds and different textures of the toys in the treasure basket.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children are introduced to simple numeracy and literacy, for example, by doing a number puzzle together with the childminder. They are starting to learn about social relationships and building friendships. For example, the childminder encourages children to share toys and play together. Trips to the local playgroup further allows children to form positive relationships with their peers. Children can also enjoy the creative activities on offer, which include messy play such as painting and baking. All in all, children's individual development is taken into account and the childminder provides the children with a good level of support and challenge. She has a good knowledge of how individual children, develop and learn. As a result, children are enjoying themselves and are making good progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children highly benefit from the personalised care they receive from the childminder which promotes their development and welfare. They feel a sense of belonging whilst at her home as they have a strong bond with her. The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of treating each child with equal respect and concern and she promotes diversity. Children's cultural awareness is raised as they have a range of activities and resources that reflect positive images of different cultures and of diversity. This allows children to learn about themselves, others and the wider community. The childminder has a positive approach to caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and understands the importance of liaising with parents and other professionals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has built strong partnerships with the parents and has established clear communication systems with them. For example, she takes time to talk to the parents while children are dropped off. She also provides written diaries on request. This ensures that essential information about children’s routines, care needs and their family is shared effectively. The childminder shares all agreements and policies with the parents, including information of how to make a complaint. However, her knowledge on the complaint procedure is not secure. The settling in procedures are individual to the child and parents to ensure children are happy and comfortable in the home and develop a sense of trust in the adults that care for them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder's behaviour management is strong and she works with parents to manage children’s behaviour in a consistent way. She encourages children to be helpful by asking them to help with little duties such as clearing up toys. Children are also taught to apologise after negative behaviour. This helps them to start to take responsibility for their own actions. Good behaviour is consistently promoted and the children receive lots of praise and encouragement. This helps children to feel proud of their achievements and it positively reinforces good behaviour.

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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 good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. The positive relationships and clear agreements enhance children's enjoyment and achievement and ability to take an active part in the home. Activities are planned around the children's interests which ensures children are highly motivated in their play. The childminder organises her time well and is constantly engaged in their care, learning and play. This ensures that children are well supported and are enjoying their time at the childminder's home.

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Organisation

Children's well-being is positively promoted by the documented information kept. The childminder's self-reflective practice ensures policies and procedures are reviewed when necessary. These are made available to parents. All required documentation is in place and are generally well-maintained.

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Organisation

Appropriate checks have been carried out to ensure children are cared for by a suitably vetted person and children are never left alone with any person not vetted. For example, sound contingency plans are in place with a fellow registered childminder in case of emergencies. The childminder frequently attends relevant training to support her registration and to stay up-to-date with good practice. As a result children benefit from richer experiences and make good progress in their all round development and learning.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice is promoted. She was also asked to establish a consistent routine for cleaning toys and equipment. Since the last inspection the childminder has attended several training courses on diversity and inclusion and she has introduced a variety of resources that promote positive images of different cultures. She now regularly wipes or washes toys and they are generally clean and in suitable condition for children's use. All in all, the childminder has taken positive steps to act upon the recommendations.

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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 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): • update knowledge and understanding of what action is taken if a complaint is raised to ensure concerns are investigated • implement consistent good hygiene practices in order to prevent the spread of infection.

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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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