Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY391112 Inspection date 07/10/2009 Inspector Judith Rayner

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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

p.2

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.3

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.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2009 and lives with her husband and young daughter in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire and uses their detached house for childminding purposes. Local schools and amenities can be accessed within a drive in the car. Most of the house including ground and first floor toilet facilities, are used for childminding purposes. An enclosed back garden is available. A low step leads to a raised front door where access is gained to the premises.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. There are currently two children on roll and both are aged within the early years age range. They attend on a part-time basis. Usual working hours are Monday to Friday from 8.00am until 5.00pm, however, these times can be changed to suit demand. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe, clean and welcoming home. Each child's individuality is recognised by the childminder which is supported by clearly written policies and procedures. This ensures their welfare needs are met generally well and enables them to make satisfactory progress in their learning and development according to the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder has established links with others who are involved with the children and has warm, positive relationships with parents. The childminder is in the early stages of delivering a service and as yet is not a fully reflective practitioner to ensure continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop an ongoing system for self-evaluation to fully ensure continuous improvement of the provision.  increase the range and accessibility of resources and activities provided to effectively promote children's understanding of the wider world  link observations of individual children's learning and development more closely to the early learning goals in order to better identify and purposefully plan future targets for them. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

All the required records are in place to provide a clear framework for the care of children. This ensures they are safeguarded effectively and their individual needs are identified and met well. Robust and thorough risk assessments and visual safety checks are carried out regularly to ensure children in the home, garden and when on outings are safe. The childminder has a good understanding of her fundamental role in protecting children. She effectively shares her procedures with parents and carers. The childminder has completed all required courses and training for the purpose of childminding, such as the Introduction to Childminding Practice and First Aid. The childminder has recently started childminding and as yet has not put an effective system into to place for monitoring the provision. However, the childminder does ask parents and children for verbal feedback about the service she provides, taking on board their views and making any changes

p.5

the early years provision

Children make good progress in their learning in relation to their individual starting points. This is because the childminder has a suitable knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. She is beginning to implement this into the days that the children attend through offering a suitable and varied range of experiences and activities. The childminder knows each child well. She promotes a mainly inclusive environment and is sensitive to others' beliefs and backgrounds. However, some aspects of the use of resources is less effective and does not always actively raise children's awareness to others' similarities and differences in the wider world. The childminder has already started to develop links with other providers delivering the EYFS where the care of children is shared, to ensure children further benefit from an integrated approach to their care and learning.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children from a young age are making generally good progress in their learning and development. The childminder uses observations in conjunction with the starting points discussed with the parents to identify and continually meet the learning and development needs of the children. The childminder plans for how she will support each child's next steps of learning although these do not always link with the early learning goals. Therefore, some areas of children's learning is not always clearly identified and activities and experiences are not purposefully planned for their individual targets. The childminder is well organised and ensures that toys and other play resources are set out or stored where they can get to them fairly easily. There is an abundance of resources and activities in the playroom on the first floor that mostly support and enhance each child's development. Other toys and activities are brought downstairs providing another

p.5

and outcomes for children

area where children enjoy playing. There is a good balance of child-initiated and adult-led play.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Very young children's emotional needs are supported well, for example, they are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 cuddled and spoken to in soft tones whilst adhering to their personal routines, such as sleep times. Young children are settling well. They happily leave their parent waving 'bye, bye' and saying 'bye'. They are forming good relationships with the childminder. They enjoy sitting on the childminder's knee and receive cuddles. Babies from an early age are developing their language skills. For example, they confidently choose books and help hold the book and turn the pages whilst the childminder talks to them about the pictures on the pages. This is further extended because the babies make 'guttural sounds' as they express themselves when pointing at the objects and figures in the books. Babies enjoy the company of the childminder and develop their large motor skills as they happily

p.5

and outcomes for children

bounce up and down on her knee. They reach out and grab books on the floor displaying confidence and curiosity as they attempt to explore their surroundings. Older children in the early years age group are provided with a range of activities and experiences that will enhance their all-round skills. For example, they participate in creative activities at the kitchen table exploring differing textures. They visit the park to develop their large muscle skills trying new and challenging equipment and spend time dressing up to enhance their creative skills. They enjoy playing board games and using their mathematical skills when counting how many plates are needed for tea.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children in developing their skills for the future, such as older children are encouraged to carry their own school bags to school. There are clear routines for hand washing before and after meals, helping put toys away and laying the table. Children are encouraged to be kind to one another and the childminder raises their awareness to being respectful to each other. Effective strategies are in place for promoting positive behaviour with consistent and clear messages to children enabling them to feel secure and enhance their self-esteem. Children are helped to socialise and learn about their local community by visiting others and attending activity groups at the local children's centre, library and nature park. Children are cared for in a clean home, where good health and hygiene routines help to minimise the spread of infection. This is further promoted because the childminder has a good routine and practice in nappy changing

p.6

and outcomes for children

procedures, therefore protecting children from germs. Children have access to drinks throughout the day and babies' food and fluid intake is carefully monitored. Healthy and well-balanced snacks are provided taking into consideration each child's dietary requirements. All children are encouraged to be active through indoor and outdoor play, providing children with suitable opportunities to develop their physical skills and promote their well-being. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

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

p.7

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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8