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 EY386363 Inspection date 09/06/2009 Inspector Judith Rayner

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and two children aged 16 months and three years in Edwinstowe, near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The family has a dog and cat. Access to the house is up one step. The whole of the house is used for the purpose of childminding with toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years of age. There are currently two children on roll, both of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has a teaching and Level 3 childcare qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. Children are provided with an excellent range of exciting experiences which enrich their overall development. Children are treated with equal concern and are cared for in a very warm and welcoming home. Their individual needs are met extremely well through personalised planning, rigorous assessments and the effective use of resources, space and time. The childminder works extremely well with parents from the onset building an effective relationship, ensuring the overall needs of the children are met. Despite the provision being in its early stages, the childminder has a very clear sense of direction and gives the utmost priority to self-evaluation, continuous improvement and opportunities for training and development.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 build upon the existing systems to encourage parents and carers to further contribute to their child's learning and development.

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provision

A key strength of the setting is the documentation. These are very accurately recorded, extremely well organised and very robust, detailed and informative. The childminder has developed a very good range of clearly written policies and procedures to support her working practices which are shared with parents and carers. Meticulous risk assessments for the premises and outings ensure the safety of children is maintained effectively at all times. Children are safeguarded extremely well. This is because the childminder has an excellent understanding of her role and responsibility to ensuring children are protected. Clearly written This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures are in place for the childminder to follow should she have any concerns regarding a child in her care. The childminder ensures that children's safety is given utmost priority and is fundamental to her role.

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provision

The childminder has superb knowledge of the need to reflect on good practice and to continuously improve. As a new setting, the childminder from the onset clearly identifies that reviewing the practice she delivers will identify any areas for improvement and build further on existing good practice. Very effective systems are already in place such as parental questionnaires, a self-evaluating programme, records of children's assessments and other media, such as photographs. This practice ensures that the service offered and delivered to children and their families is of a very high quality.

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provision

Very effective systems are in place for the exchanging of information with parents and carers. The childminder sees this as fundamental to ensure children's needs are identified and met because the parents know their child best. Parents are updated routinely on how their children are cared for and what they achieve each day by receiving verbal and written information through diaries, photographs and excellent observation and assessment records. However, the systems in place to support parents and carers in encouraging and building on children's progress and learning at home is not as effective.

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provision

Children from a young age are developing extremely well. This is because the childminder has excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Rigorous systems are in place to monitor and evaluate children's progress relative to their starting points. The childminder undertakes comprehensive assessments of children's achievements, which inform the future planning ensuring that the individual needs of all children are met successfully.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children from an early age are making excellent progress in their learning and development. This is because the childminder is very skilled and knowledgeable in the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. The childminder plans in a variety of ways both formal and informal. She encourages children to choose and initiate their own play because she recognises the importance and building on children’s interests. There is an excellent balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. She is spontaneous and flexible, creating an environment where children are warmly welcomed and valued as unique. Children are very settled, happy, confident and have a high self-esteem. Because of the positive interaction, care and attention they receive from the childminder, all children develop an excellent sense of worth. All resources are of excellent quality and the childminder plans the day superbly around the needs of the children. A

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

wealth of experiences and activities indoors and outdoors make it an extremely interesting environment which encourages children to be active learners. Children's all-round development is promoted highly effectively whilst covering the six areas of learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The behaviour of children is exemplary. From the onset, the childminder is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 consistent in her approach to dealing with a range of behaviour promoting positive attitudes throughout. Highly effective use of praise ensures children feel self assured and supported. Children learn to take turns and share in the abundance of toys and resources. They happily sit on the floor investigating the bowls of fruit to exploring objects of interest such as the treasure baskets, wicker balls and boxes. Children spend time inside and outdoors and independently crawl to the range of activities that are attractively presented, easily accessible, inviting and challenging. Children develop their large muscle and sensory skills as the crawl around the floor experiencing differing textures underneath such as carpet, floor tiles, grass, concrete and sand. Children happily and confidently attempt to try differing fruit.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

They bite into oranges and apples, smelling and feeling them and eventually enjoying the plum. Other fruit such as mango, banana, papaya and pineapple provide further experiences for children as the childminder interacts describing the textures, smells and tastes with the children. Children enjoy being outdoors; they crawl to the door and know to put their shoes on because the childminder consistently talks to the children raising their awareness to routines of the day, boundaries and expectations and promoting their safety. They count the shoes and how many feet they have before they put their shoes on. Children's language skills are developing very well. The very young children make guttural sounds and are beginning to say single words. The childminder skilfully consolidates their learning through repeating the word and praising the child's attempts.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Outside children eagerly and happily explore their surroundings. They stroke the dog, acknowledging its presence to investigating the water trough on the floor with small world sea life animals, pebbles and rocks. They help fill up stockings with compost and grass seeds for the caterpillar topic and dig in the sand with trucks and spades. Once back inside the home before lunch they explore the safe kitchen area finding saucepans and wooden spoons. They happily bang them expressing themselves with loud and soft tones, smiling and giggling. Children happily join in with nursery rhymes as they lay on the mat to have their nappy changed. They clap hands and openly and freely give cuddles. They have a very good relationship with the childminder. They have good opportunities to learn about their local community such as visiting the park, library and toddler group as well as playing with toys and resources that reflect others' similarities and differences.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The welcoming environment and clear routines supports children to feel secure and safe. This is further promoted because the childminder talks to the children, undertakes activities to raise their awareness to what is around them and what are the dangers. For example, when it is lunch time, children are put in the high chair and straps are used to ensure they are safely secured. The childminder talks to the children about what she is doing and why. The conservatory is full of children's free expressive range of art work and photographs of the wide range of activities they have already participated in. This enables and creates children to feel valued and provides a good source of discussion of events that the children have been involved in. The childminder has an excellent understanding of food nutrition and offers five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. A menu is displayed which the children have contributed to and which also informs parents about meal choices.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Meals are freshly prepared from wholesome ingredients and encourage children to try new and interesting tastes of food from around the world. The childminder is highly effective in providing activities, maintaining routines and implementing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 resources to help children make a positive contribution and develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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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