Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY332659 Inspection date 01/12/2009 Inspector Karen Ann Byfleet

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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 husband and young son in Retford, north Nottinghamshire. The whole of ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There is a spare bedroom on the first floor which is used for overnight care. The family have a pet cat and gold fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to provide care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. There are currently four children on her register and all are in the early years age group. The childminder lives within walking distance of the local school and she regularly attends the local parks and toddler groups with the minded children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds an National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in childcare, learning and development. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding group and she receives support from the local authority.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled within the well-organised environment and the childminder clearly recognises and values the uniqueness of each child that attends. Effective partnerships with parents have been established to ensure children's welfare needs are consistently met. Partnerships with other providers have yet to be fully established to ensure consistency and coherence in children's care and learning. All required documentation is in place to ensure children are well safeguarded. Improvements since the last inspection have been addressed well and through a detailed self-evaluation the childminder has a clear vision for the future and how she will maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop effective relationships with other providers to ensure consistency and coherence in children's care and learning  develop further the observation and assessment sysytems to ensure children's next steps in their learning are highlighted. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has devised and implemented an effective safeguarding policy and procedure which she shares with parents. The policy is clear in informing parents and carers of her responsibilities to ensure children are safeguarded. Effective risk assessments are in place for the premises, equipment and for outings undertaken with the children. These are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain valid and consistent. Effective safety measures are in place with regard to the premises ensuring children are safe. For example, doors are kept locked, safety gates in place and the rear garden is safely enclosed. An emergency evacuation plan is in place which is practised with the children and recorded, helping to raise children's awareness of safety. Children's health and welfare is fully supported. The childminder provides a varied and balanced diet of healthy foods and children know and follow hygiene routines. For

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the early years provision

example, they know to wash their hands after using the bathroom and that they clean their teeth after lunch. All required written permissions are in place for the childminder to administer medication and seek any necessary medical advice or treatment, enhancing children's well-being.

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the early years provision

The childminder self-evaluates her provision, is forward thinking and clearly identifies and reflects her effective practice. Recommendations that were made at the previous inspection have been addressed well and as a result the childminder demonstrates a strong capacity for maintaining continuous improvement. She has good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and has devised her practice to include development records for all the children. However, observations that are made of the children's learning do not highlight what the next steps in their learning are in order to help the childminder with future planning. Partnerships with parents are professional and effective. They have access to the childminder's written policies and information about children's welfare is exchanged daily. Parents are given the children's development records to take home on a regular basis so that they are able to see in more detail what

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the early years provision

the children have been doing and how they are making progress. The development of links with other providers has not yet been established. Daily exchange about how children have been in nursery takes place, however, information with regard to how children are progressing, their interests and the next steps in their learning are not shared to ensure consistency and coherence in children's learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's home and they are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder interacts and engages well with the children in their freely chosen play. She is warm and caring towards them. The environment is well organised to ensure children are able to independently access toys and resources, helping to raise their sense of belonging and self-esteem. For example, all toys are stored in boxes, labelled with both This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 words and pictures, at child height and the childminder frequently changes the toys to maintain children's interest. There is a good balance of adult-led and child- initiated activities. For example, when children decide they would like to play with the modelling dough, the childminder offers them laminated pictures of snowmen and explains how they have to make and count buttons to place on the snowmen

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and outcomes for children

pictures. Children enjoy regular outings and weekly visits to toddler groups, music groups and the local library. The childminder also plans outings to places of interest such as Sherwood Pines where children are able to explore the woodland.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare and safety is fully supported. They feel safe within the childminder's home as they confidently approach her and they are developing independence as they make choices. The childminder has a current and valid first aid certificate. Her detailed and clear policies which are in place and her understanding of the effective procedures, ensure children are well cared for if they fall ill or have minor accidents. Children's health is further supported through the healthy foods and drinks which are available to children throughout the day. Children are developing an effective awareness of their own personal hygiene as they know and follow hygiene procedures such as washing their hands before eating and after using the bathroom and cleaning their teeth after lunch. All children have their own individual hand towels which helps prevent any cross infection.

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and outcomes for children

Children's development in all the six areas of learning is promoted well. They have regular access to activities that encourage and develop their skills, such as problem solving and communication. For example, they enjoy sorting the play food, counting how many pieces of pizza make a whole one, playing with the small world toys, building the train track. They participate in craft and creative activities, such as painting, collage and baking. The children are cooperative and play well together, forming strong relationships with each other. 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 2 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 3 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 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 2

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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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