Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY321432 Inspection date 10/09/2009 Inspector Angela Howard

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 2006. She lives with her granddaughter aged four years in Edwinstowe, in Nottinghamshire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the property, excluding the main bedroom is used for childminding. The premises are accessible for people with limited mobility. Care is offered Monday to Friday 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 minding three children aged under five years. She also offers care to three 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 is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a calm environment where children are happy and confident. Children are well behaved, kind and thoughtful. They are confident and show a strong sense of belonging as they are made welcome and included by the childminder who supports them to make a positive contribution to their own development. She engages daily with parents to ensure children can fully participate, achieve and make some progress in their learning. However, the planning of activities is very much in its infancy and is not always personalised or tailored to children's individual learning needs. The childminder recognises the value of continuous improvement and has completed recommendations raised at the last inspection. However, the self-evaluation process lacks clarity, therefore, future plans are limited.

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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  make more effective use of the outdoors to explore the six areas of learning to extend children's own play and learning  develop further the use of self-evaluation to recognise the importance of continuous improvement and to develop a culture of reflective practice.

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the early years provision

Arrangements for safeguarding children are good. The monitoring of safety practice is rigorous and the childminder is extremely clear and proactive in safeguarding children. She has good procedures in place for identifying any child at This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 risk of harm and has good up to date knowledge of the possible signs of abuse and neglect. Each day parents receive verbal feedback and have free access to progress reports about their child's care and achievements. They are invited to express their views and are kept well informed about their child's progress. The two way flow of information ensures children are fully supported and that parents are involved in their child's learning and development. This supports a positive and successful relationship ensuring children's individual needs are continually met. Positive links have been established with other settings offering the Early Years

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the early years provision

Foundation Stage to ensure developmental concerns do not present barriers to children's progress and enjoyment.

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the early years provision

The environment is organised appropriately to allow children to choose and access areas and resources independently. The childminder has good knowledge of how children learn and how to engage children; she has begun to develop appropriate knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance and is implementing it generally well. She is focused on helping children make progress and promoting their welfare. Therefore, the setting runs smoothly on a day to day basis. The childminder has begun to make sensitive observations which clearly identify the next steps in a child's learning journey. However, the planning of activities and experiences is very much in its infancy and is not always clearly tailored to children's individual learning needs. The childminder actively promotes equality and diversity effectively helping children to understand about the community they live in and the wider world. Children visit local groups, shops and library and love

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the early years provision

to visit the local forest finding mini beasts, flowers and naming trees. They access a reasonable range of resources that reflect positive images and diversity on a daily basis.

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the early years provision

Self-evaluation is based upon accurate identification of areas for improvement. The childminder is beginning to use the Ofsted style evaluation form to give her direction and to identify areas for improvement. However, the system in place to clarify how the childminder reflects on her practice to assess what impact she is having on children's welfare, learning and development is weak. She recognises her weakest areas which leads to some targets for improvement and has used information from parent questionnaires to support collaborative working. The childminder is keen to enhance her service and outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

The premises are very clean and well maintained and there are good procedures in place to promote the health and safety of the children in her care. For example, a high priority is given to ensuring children understand about good personal hygiene, the sickness policy is shared with parents and adhered to at all times, and children are provided with a healthy well-balanced range of snacks that meet children's individual dietary needs. This practice is effective in reducing the risk of cross infection, helps to keep children safe and promotes a good understanding of healthy eating. Children are encouraged to be active and understand the benefits of physical activity. For example, they access outdoors daily and have fun walking in the forest, playing with equipment on the premises and visiting the local park. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 However, although the outdoor play area offers children the freedom to explore,

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and outcomes for children

use their senses and be physically active, it is not sufficiently well planned to give them opportunities to explore the six areas of learning in different ways from indoors.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is keen to ensure the welfare and education of children in her care is met. She knows each child very well and ensures all children are able to have fun, join in and be challenged on daily basis. Therefore, children participate fully, their behaviour is good and they are beginning to develop an understanding of boundaries, limits and why rules exist. Babies are allowed to explore in a safe environment and receive good support when they cannot quite manage to do things for themselves. For example, they feed themselves with finger foods but the childminder gives them small amounts at a time so they do not over fill their mouths and choke. Older children are aware of house rules. They understand the reason why they remove shoes, how to respect furniture, toys and people. The childminder has an ethos where children and adults are warmly welcomed into her setting. She knows the children in her care well and liaises closely with parents to

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and outcomes for children

ensure children's welfare needs are met effectively. An appropriate range of age- related activities are offered to extend children's knowledge and learning in a variety of ways. For example, from discussion with the childminder it is clear children are encouraged to play together harmoniously, playing games that require them to take turns and to help develop their self-help skills as they help to prepare snacks. Children are confident in their play and have developed a very strong relationship with the childminder. They seek her out for comfort, sit very close as they read books and put their arms out to be picked up. They feel valued and receive lots of praise and encouragement to enable them to make sound progress. They beam with pleasure as the childminder praises them and they are aware they are someone special to her.

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and outcomes for children

Children follow their interests with perseverance and have confidence in what they do. They use their imagination well when pretending to go to bed, creating a bed from a rug. When asked if they need covers they explain that the rug is the cover. The childminder prompts them through questions to think about their bed time routine and they act out brushing teeth, story time and putting on pyjamas. Children love to sing spontaneously and join in the actions with gusto especially with the wonderful hand and finger puppets for props. They count five little men, five little ducks and five little frogs and count as they get ready to throw the ball 'one, two three let's go'. Babies enjoy fitting boxes of different sizes together, putting them inside each other wondering where they have gone. They become engrossed in books talking about the pictures, finding a tractor, cat and dog. They flick the pages and watch in wonder when the pages move faster and faster.

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and outcomes for children

Therefore, children are becoming active, inquisitive and independent learners and the good quality interaction enables them to feel secure, which fosters secure relationships and helps them to enjoy their learning. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

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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