Childminder in Nottingham

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY297845 Inspection date 11/02/2009 Inspector Anne McKay

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.2

Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

p.2

Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

p.2

Introduction

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

p.2

Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband in a semi- detached house in a residential area to the south of Nottingham. The house is accessed via one step and is within walking distance of local schools, parks and shops. Minded children have access to the whole of the downstairs of the house and to a bathroom and bedroom upstairs. There is a secure rear garden available for outside play. The family have two dogs, a cat and a rabbit. The childminder is on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight at any one time, three of whom may be in the early years age group. There are currently two children on roll. The childminder also regularly cares for her grandchildren. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are settled and secure in the care of the childminder with whom they have positive and secure relationships, with all children receiving equal attention. They have their individual needs met consistently by the childminder who has a good knowledge of their routines, likes, dislikes and developmental stages. Children access a very good range of appropriate resources in a well-organised and stimulating playroom. They make good progress in their learning and development which the childminder has begun to monitor. Children's welfare is very well promoted. The childminder has a good ability to monitor the care, learning and development she provides for the children to ensure that she maintains and continually improves her practice.

p.3

further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

p.3

further?

 use systematic observations to asssess chidlren's progress and match these to the early learning goals when planning for children's next steps.

p.3

provision

The childminder demonstrates a good capacity to evaluate her own strengths and weaknesses. She has improved her practice since the last inspection by attending a course on diversity resources. She now provides children with a variety of toys that reflect positive images of diversity to help them learn about wider society. She is committed to improving her existing good knowledge and skills through attending relevant training courses. She has successfully implemented the Early Years Foundation Stage and is keen to develop her systems for recording children’s achievements. The childminder regularly cares for her grandchildren as well as for minded children. All children are included on an equal basis; consequently children develop a strong sense of belonging. The childminder has appropriate skills to care This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

p.3

provision

Essential information is recorded, kept up-to-date and shared with parents to promote continuity of care. The childminder keeps a daily notebook to inform parents of what their children have done each day and of any developmental milestones. She also exchanges information verbally on a daily basis to make sure she has relevant information to meet children’s needs. The childminder's good practice is underpinned by clear written policies and procedures that inform parents about the care she offers and about her business practices. Parents sign their agreement to these policies as part of their contract. Children’s welfare is promoted through the childminder’s good knowledge of the safeguarding children procedures and her knowledge of how to implement these to protect children. Children play in a safe environment that is effectively risk assessed to minimise any potential hazards. Outings are also assessed for risk and the childminder records

p.4

provision

and reviews the information to ensure children’s ongoing safety.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge of how to support young children in their learning and development. She is confident in how best to support children, providing a balance between adult-led activities and child-initiated play across all six areas of learning and development. Children enjoy their play and are skilfully supported by the childminder who helps them learn through appropriate questions that challenge them or through demonstration. For example, a young child plays purposefully with a shape sorter, happily fitting the lid onto it and then attempting to post the shapes through the holes. The childminder encourages problem solving by asking them if they have tried turning the shape the other way. The child eventually achieves this and is praised by the childminder, building the child’s confidence in continuing to learn. The childminder names the shapes and colours, extending the child’s learning by using the word 'round’ as well as ‘circle’. The

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

childminder then introduces counting into the activity and the child learns a new skill in building a small tower with the shapes. The childminder has begun to write down observations of children during their play and is planning some next steps for them. However, she is not making these observations routinely so it is difficult for her monitor the children’s progress.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play imaginatively and creatively; they like to choose books and enjoy having stories read to them, interacting with the story-telling. They use simple electronic toys efficiently. Children’s communication and social skills are promoted well. The childminder listens to children and takes time to patiently build up their confidence in expressing themselves. Children learn about the wider community through conversations with the childminder whilst out for walks and through a variety of activities and stories that help to inform them about other cultures and communities. Children are supervised at a level to keep them safe whilst promoting their independence. They learn about road safety during the walks to and from school. Children’s health is promoted consistently and they eat a well balanced and nutritious diet. Their physical development is supported through playing outside in the fresh air each day.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.5

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.5

Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

p.5

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

p.5

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

p.7

Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

p.7

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.7

Detail of the complaint/s

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.

p.7