Nottingham High School

Inspection report for early years provision

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122915 Unique Reference Number 06 November 2007 Inspection date Linda Close 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 has been registered since 1989. She lives with her husband and family in a 4 bed roomed terraced house in the Southfields area of southwest London. The local authority is Wandsworth. There are four children in the family, two of whom are adults, one child who attends primary school and one who is below statutory school age. There are currently two children on roll who are both under five years of age. There is one minded child present at the time of this inspection. The childminder's home is situated within a few minutes walk of parks, shops, toddler groups and the local library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The ground floor of the house is used for child minding. Children are cared for in kitchen/dining room, the playroom and the lounge. There are toilet facilities on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family pets are a cat and small caged pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder regularly takes the children to local parks, a library and child minder groups. She is a member of the Wandsworth Child Minders Association and the National Childminder's Association (NCMA).

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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's continuing good health is particularly well supported by the childminder. She has recently updated her first aid training and keeps first aid resources to hand that are frequently checked and replenished. Children receive correct treatment for minor accidents and the details are very carefully recorded. They can receive emergency medical treatment without delay if there is a need because their parents have given written permission in advance. Children are safeguarded against the unnecessary spread of infection because the childminder is very well informed about childhood diseases. She ensures that parents know from the outset that children must not attend if they're unwell. Children learn about good personal hygiene from an early age because the childminder talks to them about the importance of having clean hands while they are washing and each child has an individual hand-towel. Children are kept clean, dry and

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Helping children to be healthy

comfortable throughout the day. The childminder changes nappies very efficiently and with careful attention to hygiene. She has a collection of clean clothes and nappy change resources meticulously arranged beside the nappy change unit.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to sip water throughout the day to keep hydrated. The childminder is exceptionally well informed about food intolerance, nutrition and the provision of healthy foods. Children are given carefully selected food for all meals. The childminder ensures that children enjoy a balanced diet that meets their individual dietary needs. Parents are informed daily about their child's food intake and they work in partnership with the childminder if there are any concerns about the children's eating habits.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have very good opportunities to take healthy exercise. They enjoy frequent visits to the toddler drop in centre to play energetic games with other children. They also take part in lively games in the garden at the childminder's home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are welcomed into a warm, clean home environment. Their comfort and safety is of prime importance to the childminder who has arranged her home and resources for the children so that they have ample space for play and rest. Security is good and children cannot leave unobserved nor strangers enter unnoticed. Children have easy access to an exceptional range of good quality toys in a dedicated playroom. Their toys and resources are arranged so that they can access them with ease. They can choose from an unusually large range of books which they can select from low shelving.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has taken very positive steps to keep children safe in her home. She conducts daily safety checks which she records with care. She makes sure that children cannot access sharp or unsuitable objects. Trip hazards are avoided and all lower cupboards are secured. Children are kept safe in relation to fire hazards because the childminder has attended a fire awareness course. She has devised a fire evacuation routine which she has posted in her home for easy reference. She checks her smoke alarms weekly and has a fire blanket in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded in relation to child protection issues because the childminder is particularly well informed. She has updated her knowledge of the signs and symptoms that indicate ill-treatment. She shares information with parents about her responsibilities as a

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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 registered childminder and has readily accessible contact information for social services and Ofsted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have particularly good opportunities to enjoy valuable play and learning experiences with the childminder. She is particularly well informed about the Birth to three matters framework, developmental milestones and ways to support children effectively in their play and learning. Children's vocabulary is extended very well because the childminder models clear, correct speech in play and day to day discussions with them. They choose and share books with her and learn new words as they turn the pages. Children learn about colours and numbers in their play activities. They make choices and decisions about what they would like to play with because all resources are easily accessible in their playroom. Children gain social skills on their weekly visits to the toddler group where they learn to share and take turns with favourite toys. Regular visits to 'Tiggle Tums' at the local library give them the chance to dance, make music

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and sing songs and rhymes. They handle craft materials at the toddler group and they draw and make marks at home with the childminder. Children who are beginning to recognise words and numbers are supported very well in their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are assured of individual care that meets their own particular needs when they are with the childminder. She obtains a comprehensive range of useful information from their parents at the time of registration to assist her in providing continuity of care. She also maintains an ongoing dialogue with parents which ensures that the adults work together for the good of the children. Each child is carefully observed and their progress is noted and shared with their parents. Any areas where children may be experiencing difficulties in their learning and progress are identified and discussed in depth with parents. The childminder and the parents work together very well to promote children's welfare and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is managed calmly and effectively. The childminder ensures that children know what is required of them and she is firm but kind towards them. Children are distracted if they squabble over toys and a short time out to think is used as a last resort. Children enjoy the smiles, cuddles and praise that they receive which helps them to grow in confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Written letters and cards from children's parents show that they are very appreciative of the high standard of care provided by the childminder. They are made welcome into the childminder's home each day to exchange information with the childminder. The childminder has devised a set of policy and procedure documents which describe her service in detail. These documents are accessible to parents. However, there is no information for parents about how they can contact the regulator if there is a need.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder ensures that people who have not been checked for their suitability do not have unsupervised contact with the children. She is very conscientious about keeping her

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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 knowledge of childcare practise up to date. She has attended a refresher course and many other worthwhile courses which include Food Hygiene, How Young Children Learn, The Wonder of Child Development and Understanding Childhood Illnesses, Infections and Health. Her training helps her to care for children and support their learning very well. Recommendations for improvement made at the time of the last inspection have been correctly addressed. The childminder carefully maintains her registration documents and her records of attendance, medication and accidents. All documents and records are held ready for inspection at any time. She has a file ready to record complaints but has no relevant information for parents about procedures. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Two recommendations for improvement were made at the time of the last inspection. The childminder agreed to keep complete information documents for all children. All children now have completed information sheets and contracts. These documents and records support the efficient running of the setting. The childminder also agreed to increase her equal opportunities play materials. An excellent range of toys, books and puzzles are now available to children which reflect a wide range of people. These resources help children to understand and accept each other.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required either the childminder or Ofsted to take any action to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The childminder 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): • provide parents with information about how they can make a complaint to the regulator if there is a need.

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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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