Childminder in Nottinghamshire

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

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Unique reference number EY307622 Inspection date 08/06/2009 Inspector Angela Howard

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

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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.

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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).

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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

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with husband and three children aged 14, six and four years, on the Lady Brook estate in Mansfield. The whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. The premises are accessible for people with limited mobility. Care is offered Monday to Saturday all year round.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently five minding children under five years. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder fosters positive links with the children's parents to ensure children's individual care needs are met successfully. Children freely choose activities within a safe environment, although there is one breach in regulations. Children enjoy their time at the setting and have developed warm and caring relationships with the childminder. However, due to the limited use observational assessments it is not sufficiently clear as to how the activities offered are personalised or tailored to help children reach their full potential. Self-evaluation of the setting is superficial but overall, the childminder demonstrates the capacity to improve and has completed recommendations raised at the last inspection.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the observation and assessment system to include the child’s next steps in learning and inform future planning  develop the use of self-evaluation to recognise the importance of continuous improvement and to develop a culture of reflective practice  continue to develop risk assessments to include the date and by whom it was completed.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment (Promoting good health). 03/07/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The premises are secure, clean and well maintained. The childminder supervises the children well and ensures they have access to a wide range of safe and suitable toys and equipment that stimulate and challenge them. Thorough procedures are in place to ensure children are safe on outings and clear risk assessment documentation is maintained and clear policies and procedures are followed. However, the date and by whom the risk assessment is completed is not recorded. The childminder has adequate knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and the correct procedures to follow. There is a clear child protection statement based on the local Safeguarding Children's Board procedures which is shared with parents.

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provision

The childminder is keen to focus on the needs of each child. She promotes an ethos where children are warmly welcomed and every child is treated as an individual. Appropriate up-to-date records, policies and procedures ensure the safe management of the setting and promote children's welfare, learning and development adequately. Although the childminder knows the children in her care well and identifies what they can do, what they like to do and what they need to do to progress she does not use this information rigorously to plan effectively so that children make as much progress as they can.

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provision

A welcoming atmosphere and effective communication links with parents ensures there is a two-way flow of information between the childminder and the children's parents. They are encouraged to review their child's observation file and make their own comments. References show parents are extremely happy with the care and education their child receives at the childminders. Comments include that they are delighted with the care, children are kept safe and love to go on visits. They feel their children's social skills a have been promoted very well and their eating habits have improved immensely. Partnerships with parents are well established and this ensures each child individual needs continue to be met. However, the childminder has not obtained written permission from parents to seek emergency treatment. This is a breach of regulations. Self-evaluation is basic but does clearly identify a range of improvements. However, although the childminder has

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provision

identified some areas for improvement she has yet to establish a clear system of how to take these identified areas forward this limits future plans.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminders knowledge of the Early Years Foundation stage is acceptable. She ensures children enjoy their time at the setting and provides a suitable range of experiences to stimulate and challenge them. There is plenty of free choice and the childminder skilfully introduces new words as the children play. For example, alligator, tarantula, toad and water dragon as they read a book. The childminder responds positively to babies as they communicate in their own way. Repeating words clearly and responding to their babbles and coos. The children respond to praise with a smile and giggle. Children are encouraged to count in every day activities, counting confidently to ten. When reading books the childminder asks This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 what shape is the window, the brick and tiles. They name the shapes such as rectangle and square accurately. Babies thoroughly enjoy playing the xylophone

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and placing small objects inside larger ones and are very pleased with themselves when they tidy toys away in boxes, clapping and smiling at the childminder waiting for praise. There is a wide range of electronic toys that require children to press buttons that make noises, lights flash and music play. Children thoroughly enjoy singing and playing instruments, they attempt to tap the triangle in time, shake maracas and play the xylophone. They very confidently sing songs and paint a picture mixing new colours, exploring how the paint merges together and show wonder as they make brown to paint a bird. They use their imagination well as they make cups of tea, play sweet shops and push the trolley to serve drinks. Good, warm, caring relationships between children and the childminder are evident, they communicate easily with each other and this helps children to enjoy and achieve. They talk freely about when they went to the zoo and what they have

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

done at home. This shows they are developing a sense of time as they begin to differentiate between past and present and events in their own lives. This also encourages children to develop a positive identity of themselves.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and well-being is supported appropriately. The childminder provides a varied well balanced range of healthy food options and ensures children have some form of physical play each day. Children explore, play and learn in a safe and secure environment and are beginning to learn about safe practice. For example, they practice road crossing procedures when out, know house rules and are aware of the dangers of falling if they run indoors. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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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

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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?

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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

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

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