Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY363241 Unique Reference Number 05 June 2008 Inspection date Esther Darling 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 registered in 2007. She lives with her family in Edwalton, Nottingham. The whole of the childminder’s house is registered for childminding including an enclosed garden, but the kitchen and playroom are mainly used. The childminder may care for a maximum of five children at any one time and currently has children on roll. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder also attends the local playgroup, toddler group, and takes children to the local library and park. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Each child is protected from cross-infection via the use of separate towels and flannels which are stored accessibly, enabling them to be independent whilst learning good hygiene habits. Their care needs are catered for when the childminder regularly wipes their faces and noses, thus reinforcing children's sense of self-worth. Children benefit from equipment that helps them to use the bathroom facilities safely, and understand that they must wash their hands

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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 after using the toilet. Babies' nappies are changed regularly and the change mat is cleaned with an anti-bacterial solution. The sickness policy is clear and acts in children's best interests. Parents understand that they are expected to collect their child if ill and keep them at home until they are well and non-contagious. Written consent is sought from parents to enable the childminder to seek emergency medical treatment. A record is kept of accidents at the setting, including details of the approximate location of the injury and the treatment given. Children are cared for in a clean home, thus protecting their health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The vast majority of children bring their own packed lunch, provided by their parents, on request of the childminder. Most of this is adequately nutritious. Some of the food that children bring is not freshly prepared or appropriate for the age of the child. Food that the childminder provides is healthy, such as wholemeal bread and fruit. However, the lack of salad or vegetables offered means that meals are only satisfactorily well-balanced. Children have independent access to their individual drinks of mainly dilute fruit cordial. Water is occasionally offered. Outdoor play is available when the weather permits, and children visit indoor play areas also. Good small hand skills are developed through the use of glue spatulas, and mark-making materials such as wax crayons. Children rest when they need to, in accordance with parental wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into a home that is partly dedicated to their care. The sunroom is set up for childminding with comfortable furniture, a television, storage for toys and many interesting features displayed on the walls. This helps children to feel secure and at home and provides a wealth of information for parents to view. Children learn to appreciate their own creativity because their artwork is attractively displayed. Children soon realise that text and number have meaning because the playroom is rich with labels and motifs. The home is tidy and in good decorative repair. The rear garden is very secure, and has features such as raised borders with fragrant plants that make it a pleasant place for children to be whilst they enjoy the fresh air. There is a playhouse dedicated to role play and kitted out with dolls, cots, an easel and a pop-up tent. Children have the use of a growing range of toys and equipment that

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

are age appropriate and in good condition. These meet their developmental needs satisfactorily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept very safe in the childminder's home because she makes sure that they cannot leave the premises unsupervised. They are only released to authorised persons and a password system is used in the event of an emergency when someone different is sent to collect the child. In this event, parental permission is always sought. A going out pack has important equipment including parents details and ensures children's needs are catered for on outings. Parental permission is sought in writing to transport children in a vehicle. Children learn how to act in an emergency because regular fire drills are carried out. The childminder has formed an evacuation plan in order to identify any possible hazards. Smoke alarms are in place on both floors and there is also a carbon monoxide detector. Children are very well-supervised and reminded about their safety at appropriate times. Children are protected because the childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

has the relevant information to guide her in the event that she is worried a child is being abused. She understands her duty to report any such concerns to the relevant authorities. Being a qualified nursery nurse, she undertook some basic training on the subject some years ago.

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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 outstanding. Children engage in a worthwhile and varied range of activities that promote their all-round development. They concentrate well at tasks such as collage and exploring play dough which foster small hands skills and are therapeutic. Children as young as three years complete large floor puzzles with numbers one to 10. Their achievements are acknowledged by the childminder who offers praise and her own system of smiley faces that can be posted in each child's individual wallet. This has a wonderful impact on children's self-esteem and willingness to learn. Children learn about the letter of the week by tracing it in the air and sticking tissue on, for example, the letter 's'. They know their colours and select which one they would like to use. Children are confident and assert their preferences to use larger pieces of material which shows good self- esteem. The childminder understands that this is a normal part of development and that children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

sometimes prefer to express their own ideas rather than follow adult-led ones.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop their social skills via regular visits to child minding and mother and toddler groups where they can mix with others. They enjoy being creative whilst accompanying the childminder's singing with musical instruments. Innovative resources such as a box of song choices on individual cards help younger children to select favourite nursery rhymes. Relevant displays, such as colour themes are an excellent way of reinforcing children's learning in a visual and non-pressured way.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are most tolerant of each other and older ones enjoy helping to care for younger children. They have a close relationship with the childminder and seek out her affection which is readily given. The childminder has a superior knowledge of child development. This is demonstrated via her excellent records of their rapid progress through the stepping stones in the Foundation Stage. She makes observations of what the children do and uses this to plan what the next steps in their learning are. It helps to avoid too much repetition of activities and thus keeps the children occupied at all times. Practical experiences such as cooking, growing cress or spreading their bread for sandwiches helps children to develop confidence and knowledge of early science.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a strong sense of belonging at this setting because they feel at home. Welcoming touches such as child-height coat pegs enhance this. A Velcro chart with a pictorial routine helps children know what to expect and is a good resource to use with young children or those with English as an additional language. Children have access to a small range of toys and equipment which show positive images of the wider society. These include items such as chopsticks, books and small figures. The childminder understands the importance of reflecting diversity and has yet to accomplish this fully.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are met regarding their care, and parents' wishes are respected. The childminder has produced a prospectus that introduces herself and her aims as a childminder and policies that she follows. On display is vital information such as the National Standards she must adhere to, the Foundation Stage of the national curriculum and a 'Birth to three matters' poster. Parents are now being given information on the new Early Years Foundation Stage which is a mandatory framework due to come into affect in September 2008. Parents are made aware of how they may complain about the service. House rules help children to know what is expected of them. They are not afraid to challenge the childminder in a way that is

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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 developmentally normal for young children. The childminder is firm and clear with children when they display any undesirable behaviour. Clear explanations are given so that children understand what their options are. Children are generally well-behaved.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children receive good support and one-to-one attention when needed. The childminder organises her provision very well so that children feel secure within a routine. The house and resources within are arranged so that the practicalities of caring for children are made easier. The required training that a childminder must undertake has been completed, such as first aid and the introduction to childminding practice. The childminder holds the NNEB qualification in child care. She has not attended any other training recently, but has an awareness of what she would like to undertake in order to build on her professional development.

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Organisation

The childminder follows a set of policies and procedures developed by the local childminding group and these are made available to parents upon registering their child. All the required records such as times of children's arrival and departure, are kept and shared with parents. The childminder understands what changes and significant events must be shared with Ofsted. Overall children's needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 all food offered to children is properly prepared and nutritious • continue to improve the range of equipment and toys to help create a more stimulating environment and build on children's emotional, intellectual, social, creative and physical skills

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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 • actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice further for all 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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