Childminder in NottinghamshireOfsted inspection, 23 Feb 2009

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 252570 Inspection date 23/02/2009 Inspector Susan Riley

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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 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.

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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 1992. She lives with her family in Woodthorpe, a suburb of Nottingham. There are facilities close by such as a park, schools and shops. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for four children in the early years age range. the childminder registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care for children during the full working day. Occasionally the childminder works with another registered childminder within her home. Most of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Toilet facilities are provided on the first floor.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a recognised early years qualification. The childminder walks to the local school and pre-school to take and collect children. She regularly attends local parent and toddler groups and childminding support group. The childminder 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 good. Children settle well with this qualified childminder and enjoy a close relationship with her. Her practice is fully inclusive because she works closely with parents to meet children's needs and she is trying to develop links with any other providers who share the care of the minded children. Systems to monitor children's progress are in the early stages of development. The childminder has started to make use of self-evaluation to identify key strengths and areas for development. She is committed to furthering her own knowledge and developing her practice, and attends regular training.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the use of the observations and assessments to plan more effectively for children's next steps in learning covering all six areas of development  develop further systems to improve the regular two-way flow of information between other providers that share the care of the children.

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provision

The childminder has developed a range of policies and procedures to support her working practices. Children's welfare, care and safety are successfully promoted because the childminder continues to update her professional skills, procedures and care practices through attending regular training. The childminder shows a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 commitment to providing positive learning experiences and appropriate care for the children. For example, she has taken action on the recommendations made at the last inspection. This ensures the safety and well-being of the children. For example, she attended training to help her plan activities more effectively for the younger children. She now gains written consent from parents for the seeking of an emergency medical advice or treatment. This practice ensures she is fully aware of parent’s wishes and fully protects children. The childminder also attended first

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provision

aid training to ensure she was fully up-to-date with current emergency practice.

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provision

The childminder undertakes detailed risk assessments for her home and outings that the children go on, which ensures that any hazards are identified and minimised. The childminder is starting to established systems to liaise with other providers that care for the children in the early years age range to promote the continuity of learning and welfare. Clear information is exchanged at the start of a placement to enable children's needs to be shared and to ensure the childminder is aware of parents' wishes. Further information is shared verbally with parents so that they are informed about their child's day. Through her own self-evaluations and on-going discussions with parents she is effective in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the provision. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has a secure understanding of her responsibility to protect children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care and they have developed warm and positive relationships. The learning environment, having a range of resources readily available for the children to freely access, helps them progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder is effective in supporting children’s learning, she very easily gets down to their level. She is a good role model and uses different teaching methods in helping children learn. She has set quiet times within her daily routines for children to rest and relax.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about keeping themselves healthy as they have opportunities to play outdoors and they walk to and from school in the fresh air. Children enjoy going to the local park and feeding the ducks. They regularly attend the local toddler groups which helps them to socialise with a wider group of friends. The childminder helps children to appreciate diversity and begin to develop an understanding of the wider world through the use of appropriate resources and activities. Overall, children develop the skills needed to be active learners.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans in a very informal manner to meet the needs of the children she is caring for. She has started to record observations of the children's learning and is beginning to use these to plan for their next steps. As a result children make suitable progress in their learning. She has started to assess children's learning to monitor their progress. However, these are currently not always used to plan effectively for all children's next steps in all of the six areas of learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is very pro-active in keeping children safe at all times, she reinforces good security of her premises. Children learn about keeping safe as the childminder reinforces road safety when out walking with the children. They also This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 practise the emergency evacuation procedure, this ensures they are fully aware of what to do in the event of a fire. The childminder promotes positive behaviour by using effective strategies and providing praise so that children's confidence and self-esteem are fostered. Some children bring their own lunch to the childminder's house but they develop awareness of healthy eating because the childminder provides a healthy range of snacks. Other children benefit from the healthy well- balanced meals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children feel secure in their environment, they move freely between different activities and play areas and the younger children are beginning to make their own choices from the range of resources available. They enjoy accessing books and snuggle up to the childminder to listen to a story. The younger children get excited as they recognise their favourite books and make their feelings known to the childminder to read the story again. The childminder interacts sensitively with the children and engages them in conversations to support their language and communication skills. Younger children babble to interact with the childminder and they can follow simple instructions. The children bring together hand-eye movements and use their fine manipulative skills to handle toys. Children are learning how to programme the roaming ‘Bug’ to move around the farm play mat. They enjoy the art and craft activities and are proud of their creations.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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? 2 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? 2

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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?

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

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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.

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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.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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

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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.

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