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

p.1

Unique reference number EY317715 Inspection date 27/05/2009 Inspector Lynn Masterman

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 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

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 registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and their three teenage children. The family live in a village in the Newark and Sherwood area of Nottinghamshire. The premises can be easily accessed and the whole of the ground floor, including toilet facilities are to be used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed out door play area to the rear of the premises. Care is offered Monday to Friday all year round.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently five children on roll of which, four are under five years. She also offers care to children over five. The provision is registered on the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm homely environment where they are valued and included. They enjoy their learning experiences and make steady progress towards the Early Learning Goals. However, the planning, observation and assessment, and the information gathered from other care settings is not used collectively to plan for the children's individual learning. A positive working relationship with parents ensures most of the children's individual needs are successfully met. The childminder is beginning to acknowledge verbally her strengths and areas for improvement. However, there are no clear systems in place of how to take these identified areas forward.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 develop a system to monitor and evaluate the quality of the provision to lead to the identification of targets for further improvement  develop links with other care settings to ensure children's individual needs are met and there is continuity in their learning.  develop further the use of planning and the children's observations to provide a range of experiences which are appropriately linked to each child’s individual learning needs as they progress towards the early learning goals.

p.3

provision

The childminder has sound knowledge of how children learn through play and a growing awareness of how to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. She makes appropriate use of the relevant documentation to help provide a variety of activities to support the children's learning. However, opportunities to plan for the next stage in children's individual learning through the use of planning, children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessment records and information gathered from other care settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage is not sufficiently explored. There is a strong relationship with parents. The effective use of a daily communication book for all children ensures parents are kept well informed of their children's care, achievements and the areas of children's development, which may need additional support. This helps to assist parents in supporting their children's learning in the

p.3

provision

home environment. The childminder welcomes parents' contribution to the setting and is beginning to make use of parent questionnaires to help identify areas for further improvement.

p.4

provision

The use of visual and written risk assessments ensure the risks to children's safety is minimised inside the premises and on outings. For example, the childminder conducts an individual risk assessment for each child when on outings. This ensures she has the appropriate range of equipment to meet the children's individual needs according to their age and stages of development, such as reins for very young children. Children have the opportunity to make informed choices about their play as they choose from a good and varied range of play resources, which are clean, safe and well maintained. The childminder has sound knowledge of the safeguarding procedures and is able to recognise potential signs of abuse.

p.4

provision

All recommendations made at the last inspection have been addressed and successfully implemented. The childminder is beginning to recognise the purpose of self-evaluation to identify her strengths and areas for improvement. However, is yet to establish a system of how identified areas for improvement will be achieved.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a calm and caring home environment. They arrived at the childminder's home happy and relaxed. They are greeted warmly by the childminder and confidently say goodbye to parents. They show a strong sense of belonging and know where to hang their coats and bags. The childminder shares a warm and caring relationship with the children. She helps the children to feel secure through cuddles and physical closeness. This is further enhanced as she recognises the importance of the emotional journey for children and parents when joining a new setting. For example, the childminder ensures activities or toys where the children have shown a particular interest on their first visit to setting are evident when the parent leaves the children for the first time. Children are well behaved and respond with to simple request made by the childminder, such as 'shall we put the toys away together'. They receive lots of praise and

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

encouragement for their achievements. This helps to promote their self-esteem and confidence.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's learning and development is appropriately supported through a satisfactory range of purposeful activities. The childminder spends her time, talking, listening and playing with the children. Most activities are child-led and generally based on children's interest. For example, some children enjoy looking at books about different textures. They snuggle up close to the childminder and confidently turn over the pages as they eagerly lift the flaps on the book. The childminder asks the children to feel the different textures. 'Do you think it feels This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 soft or bumpy'? They talk about how some textures feel smooth while others might feel fluffy. Children are beginning to explore colour, shape and size. They choose different coloured play dough, such as 'I would like to play with the yellow dough'. The childminder talks to the children about how they need to 'push' and 'pull' the

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

rolling pin over the dough to make the dough flat. They are beginning to recognise a shape as they competently use cutters to cut out a circle and a triangle. Children are confident communicators and express their needs, such as 'I would like to play outside'. They are beginning to develop their self-help skills as they independently know to collect their cup and plate from the low level cupboard at snack time.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to share, be kind and show mutual respect for others. They are beginning to develop their awareness of the wider world through discussion with the childminder, access to a suitable range of play resources and visits within the local community. They talk about similarities and differences, such as different skin tones, long and curly hair and disability. Children's health is promoted because the procedures for the management of illness, accidents and medication ensure children are appropriately protected. They have access to a well balanced diet and can access fluids independently throughout the day. Children enjoy being out in the fresh air. They go for walks to the park and look for small insets and listen to familiar sounds, such as the dogs barking. Children are beginning to recognise the importance of keeping themselves safe. The childminder talks to the children about how to cross roads safely and how

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

unacceptable behaviour, such as pushing or running when crossing roads, may affect the safety of others. 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.6

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.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 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?

p.6

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.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.7