Childminder in Nottingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY334127 Inspection date 19/11/2009 Inspector Georgina Walker

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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 family including an adult son and daughter. The whole of the ground floor and bathroom upstairs in the childminder’s home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed area for outside play. Access to the premises is via one step and there are numerous steps into the rear garden. The family has a cat. The childminder drives or walks to the local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent, carer and toddler, and childminder's groups and takes children to local libraries and parks. She shares and seeks information in partnership with other Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) settings the children attend.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding six children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

An absorbing range of experiences are provided for children and the planning and assessment of learning and development is comprehensive. A safe and stimulating environment is created and children are happy and thrive during their time in the setting. Positive relationships with parents ensures the sharing of children's progress, discussions about next steps are worthwhile and links are being formed with EYFS settings the children attend. The inclusion of all children is a high priority. An extensive range of well-written policies and procedures are shared with parents and the childminder completes ongoing self-evaluation, setting herself a range of targets which include the attendance at wide ranging training.

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further?

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

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further?

 developing the systems for seeking information from other EYFS settings the children attend.

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the early years provision

The childminder's motivation and professionalism contributes to providing an exemplary service. She has made substantial efforts to maintain and improve upon standards judged at the previous inspection to be outstanding. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 continues to provide a service extensively above the minimum requirements to ensure children's well-being and the promotion of progress in their learning. Her ongoing self-assessment and commitment to improve by attending extensive training and extending knowledge and ideas for activities to do with children, for example 'Winter Wonderland', are commendable. First aid and safeguarding children training sessions ensure children's well-being is substantially increased. A place on an advanced child protection course is booked. All relevant persons have suitability checks to be on the premises.

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the early years provision

Copies of the purposeful and well-written policies are given to parents to sign. Parents are encouraged to share what they know about their child's developmental progress when the child initially attends. Visits prior to the commencement of the placement ensure each child integrates at their own unique pace and the childminder has knowledge of where to seek help from other agencies as necessary. Children's daily activities, plus progress in their learning, are all shared appropriately with parents and partnerships are significantly promoted. These are successfully extended as parents complete satisfaction questionnaires and are included in garden parties or open days to discuss and support their child's learning more formally. Parents and older children are proactive in contributing to the inspection process. Liaison with the playgroup the children attend has been instigated and is being developed with the local school.

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the early years provision

Written risk assessments are comprehensive and potential hazards are checked as required. Whilst there are no hazards the childminder has submitted a grant application to improve her outdoor play area adjacent to the back door to enable the children to play outside in all weathers. An assessment for each type of outing, for example to Wollaton park for a picnic after school, ensures children's safety is given the utmost priority and the childminder carries with her relevant information about each child in case of emergency. The environment is child-friendly with resources stored where children can access them freely, developing their independence, or can ask for those safely stored under the stairs or in the outdoor shed as they choose them from the photograph book of resources. The lounge/dining room is used for all activities with messy play and crafts take place at the dining table. Children become engrossed in stimulating activities such as

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the early years provision

drawing and gluing before requesting a story. Healthy option snacks include fresh fruit, such as grapes, and drinks of water are available in labelled bottles and beakers. Children, including those with special dietary needs, enjoy nutritious meals from the extensive menu of home cooked food. The childminder is registered with the local environmental health authority and holds a food hygiene certificate. Excellent hygiene practices are meticulously followed to prevent the risk of infection and children are fully aware of why they do not share towels.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children to develop their potential rapidly across the stepping stones towards the early learning goals. She maintains planning records with such topics as 'Africa' and her routines of outings to ensure children socialise or develop mobility skills at soft play centres. To ensure progress for each child, as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they all attend on a part-time basis, the observation and assessment is comprehensive and noted in 'tracker books'. They have scrapbooks of work, such as pictures cut from travel brochures they collected from the travel agents for the Africa topic, and photograph albums show children engaging in an inspiring range of activities. The childminder shares all progress with parents to ensure the next steps of development.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn through an extensive variety of stimulating activities, including outings such as going to parks, museums or toddler groups. Child-initiated activities, where they show particular interest in a topic or resources, are extended. They develop a sense of caring for and helping others due to the wide age range present. The resources presented are rich in variety and enable children to be self-motivated in making decisions about their play, requesting crafts or to play with the wooden train set. Children develop a positive awareness of themselves and their needs through the support of the childminder. They are encouraged to be active and healthy, using the small enclosed area of the garden to grow plants or ride wheeled toys and learn to negotiate the steps to the grass area. The children enjoy instigating their own play, for example, confidently singing and playing musical instruments which they beat in time to the rhythm.

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and outcomes for children

Children write and mark-make with good skills and their creative imaginations are highly active. There is a wide variety of craft resources and they glue foam shapes to enhance flowers they have drawn. Language is well developed or extra support is used as the childminder constantly talks to the children, extending their learning and knowledge. Children have access to a considerable library of books which provide positive images of society to enhance their awareness of differences and acceptance. They act out with relish the story of 'Handa' and her fruit, which they use to recall colours or count how many fruits of each type. Children are supported to develop problem-solving and other mathematical skills as they play with trains or do baking. They use tools, such as glue spreaders, with dexterity and battery operated technology with considerable skill. Excellent behaviour is maintained as children are purposefully engaged and eager to engage in the exciting learning

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and outcomes for children

experiences which are provided. They respond positively to the 'star of the week' reward system for good and kind deeds and confidently tell visitors about the cup they are awarded and what they must do to achieve this. All skills required for their future are considerably promoted. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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