Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY227747 Inspection date 31 August 2005 Inspector Ros Church

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and three children in Newark, Nottinghamshire. Minded children have access to the ground floor, and additional toilet facilities on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family pets include a cat, rabbits and guinea pigs. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She currently minds eight children under five part-time, and two children over five on a part-time basis after school. The childminder takes and collects children from local playgroups and schools.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, and attends the local childminding support group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health and well-being are promoted as they are looked after in a clean and comfortable environment. Children develop healthy practices and follow good hygiene routines. For example, washing their hands before meals and after using the toilet. The childminder has a clear understanding of effective hygiene routines and ensures that the risk of spreading infection is minimised. For example, she provides separate towels for children to use after hand washing and she has a clear policy regarding sick children. Children are beginning to learn about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and diet. They regularly enjoy nutritious meals which include fruit and vegetables as part of their daily diet, with drinks of fruit juice, milk and water as they require. Children's individual dietary needs are met as the childminder takes account of their preferences and respects parental wishes regarding meals. Children benefit from a

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Helping children to be healthy

routine which incorporates lots of physical exercise and fresh air. They have regular opportunities to develop and practise physical skills during outdoor play within the garden, where they enjoy riding bikes, scooters and playing ball games. They develop skills further when visiting parks and toddler groups.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in welcoming, safe and secure premises which are used effectively to enable them to participate in varied activities. For example, through use of the lounge for relaxation and quiet play, dining kitchen for meals, and a well-organised playroom for a range of games and play activities. Children enjoy access to a range of outdoor activities in the fully-enclosed rear garden, including sand play and use of wheeled toys. They make use of a wide range of equipment and play materials which are in good condition and suitable to their interests and age range. Children's art work is valued, it is displayed within the playroom making the environment bright and attractive. Children's safety is a high priority and effectively maintained through the childminder's good knowledge and practice. For example, regular checks are made within the home to ensure that potential hazards are minimised. Children learn about

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safety through discussions and practical activities, such as taking part in fire evacuation drills, and learning to cross roads safely. The childminder offers good supervision to children taking account of their stage of maturity and current activity. For example, maintaining constant visual supervision of a toddler moving between the house and garden.

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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 Children are protected because the childminder has a working knowledge of what child abuse and neglect means, gained from local Area Child Protection Committee procedures and attendance at relevant local training. She is aware of her responsibilities in the event of any child protection concerns, so enabling her to take appropriate action to safeguard children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and contented within the childminder's care. They are occupied and interested in a good range of indoor and outdoor activities, which take account of children's interests and development. Children are able to make choices within their play, from the well organised storage boxes and the toys and equipment already set out for them. Older children take opportunities to relax after school, engage in outdoor play, or interesting creative and craft activities. During the day appropriate routines ensure younger children are happy and well cared for. Opportunities are provided for them to play in the home and develop social skills when interacting with other minded children. They regularly visit local amenities such as parks, libraries, toddler and music groups, helping them to find out about their local community and socialise with other adults and children. Good relationships are developing between the children and the childminder,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

creating a warm and friendly atmosphere. Children build a sense of trust and their personal confidence through the childminder's approachable and supportive nature. Younger children's language skills develop as the childminder constantly interacts with them and becomes involved in their play. The childminder knows the children well and uses developmental records to plan appropriate play to meet individual developmental needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into the childminder's home and are happy and settled. Their individual care needs are met, the childminder takes account of information supplied by the parents and the detail recorded on child information forms. Parents are well informed about the childminder's policies and practice through discussion and written documents. Children are valued and treated as individuals, they gain a sense of belonging as the childminder provides a range of activities and resources which reflect diversity. For example, books, stories, jigsaws and celebrating different festivals such as Christmas, Diwali and Chinese New Year. They frequently visit nearby facilities such as parks and libraries, helping them become familiar with their local community. The childminder recognises the importance of careful liaison with parents to establish the care requirements for any child with identified special needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to be kind to one another, to share and take turns with toys and

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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 equipment. Children's good behaviour is supported by the childminder who interacts calmly and positively with them. This enables children to make good choices about their behaviour while developing self-esteem and confidence.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are relaxed and at ease in the childminder's home which is organised to meet individual needs, with good space available for children to play and rest. Children benefit from good levels of support and supervision to enable them to feel secure. Children's safety and well-being are maintained, records for the safe and efficient running of the setting are completed and generally well organised, although, occasionally medication and existing injury records do not contain parental signatures. A well organised folder of information about her service is made available to parents, to enable them to make an informed decision about placing their child with her. The childminder makes good use of available training to help her extend her understanding of current good practice, and applies this information to support the needs of children in her care. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has satisfactorily addressed the action and recommendations from the last care inspection. She has made areas safe by safely storing the hose pipe and ensuring that razors are kept out of reach of minded children. She has obtained written permission from all parents for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment, and she now records injuries which children arrive with.

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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

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure written consent is obtained prior to giving medication, and that all medication and existing injury records include parent's signatures.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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