Childminder in Nottingham

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY221524 Inspection date 19/03/2010 Inspector Tina Garner

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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 2002. She lives with her family in a mid terrace house within the Meadows area of Nottingham. Their home is within walking distance of the local school, shops and park. The premises are accessed by a level pathway and low step. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding with accessible toilet and hand washing facilities available within these areas. There is a small enclosed rear garden which is available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. The childminder also makes provision for children older than the early years age group and is registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Highly effective procedures and practices ensure the safety and the welfare of the children. The excellent partnerships established with parents and external agencies ensure that a high level of consistency is maintained and children's individual needs are supported effectively. Children make excellent progress in relation to their starting points and capabilities because the childminder knows them well and skilfully plans activities to meet their needs. An inclusive service is provided, ensuring children are respected and valued. As a result, children thrive in the warm, caring and vibrant environment. A robust self-evaluation process enables the childminder to continually reflect on her service, ensuring continuous improvement is effective.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 promoting further opportunities for children to develop their understanding of daily technology.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded extremely well as the childminder has a very secure knowledge of the possible signs of abuse and the procedures she would follow should she have concerns about children in her care. She is fully aware of what she must do if an allegation were to be made against her or a member of her family and this is included in the comprehensive written safeguarding policy. Children receive care in a home that is entirely safe and secure as the childminder carries out thorough risk assessments for her premises and for all outings and has eliminated or minimised all hazards. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children thrive as the childminder works very closely with their parents or carers to ensure that she is fully informed about their families and all aspects of their needs. Parents receive copies of her robust policies and procedures before she begins

p.4

the early years provision

minding so they are well informed about the provision. Parents provide the childminder with detailed information about their child and the childminder uses this alongside her own observations to identify children's starting points in all areas of their learning and development. Children are very well placed to continue their learning at home because the childminder and their parents use a daily diary for two-way communication about what children have been doing and learning. Parents can see a very informative notice board and also a display of photographs of children enjoying their favourite activities. Children who attend other Early Years Foundation Stage providers benefit from excellent continuity of care because the childminder works very closely with the other providers to exchange information about planning and about children's personal development.

p.5

the early years provision

Children are learning about diversity in the wider community through activities that effectively promote gender, disability, ethnicity and culture. Children meaningfully use quality resources, such as small world, a wide selection of books and jigsaws. Children also celebrate a wide variety of festivals.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has developed her knowledge since the last inspection as she has attended numerous training courses and worked closely with the Early Years development co-ordinator. She makes excellent use of her self-evaluation document to ensure that she is constantly reviewing and developing all aspects of her practice.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder has excellent knowledge of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The education programme is extremely well organised with an excellent balance of adult- and child-led activities which take account of children's individual interests. These cover all areas of learning, ensuring children enjoy a broad and stimulating variety of activities that are designed to meet each child's developmental needs. Children's learning records, which include regular observations, photographs showing their enjoyment and planned next steps, clearly indicate their rapid progression though the stepping stones towards the early learning goals. This ensures that the progress of the children is robustly monitored. Exceptionally good use is made of space, and children can access a vast selection of toys and activities in all of the rooms that are used. This enables the children to focus on activities suitable for their age and

p.5

and outcomes for children

stage of development in a very conducive environment. Consistent routines and exceptional support ensure children are secure and feel a sense of belonging. Children's work is displayed and this shows their contributions are valued. As a result, they are extremely happy.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children have access to a wide selection of books and these are all at children's level and suitable for children of all ages. Children are keen to get popular books This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and sit with the childminder as she reads a story. Younger children are able to recognise characters and animals and take great joy in pointing these out. Children learn about the natural world, they collect tadpoles and have made a tank to watch them grow. The childminder encourages this learning by offering a wide range of supporting resources, such as information books to compare and predict how the tadpoles will develop and magnifying glasses to look for tiny details of these changes. Children love to become involved in using a varied range of technology such as computer games, television and disco equipment, although they occasionally miss some opportunities to explore the use of everyday

p.5

and outcomes for children

technology such as kitchen equipment. Recent topic work on Africa helps children to value and understand diversity. They develop their creative skills as they make flags, masks and collage pictures of children in African dress.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children develop physically and enjoy each other's company as they plan, prepare and dance along to music at 'the disco'. The childminder has a very good selection of photographs in the children's profiles and around the setting of them doing lots of activities within the local community, visiting other childminders, parks and the local Sure Start centre. There is also a lot of photographic evidence of children painting, baking, making snowmen and playing imaginatively. This ensures all areas of learning are very clearly identified for the children in her care.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's awareness of safety is given high priority to assist them in understanding how to keep themselves safe. The children develop an understanding of fire evacuation procedures, road safety and 'stranger danger'. They are encouraged to wear fluorescent jackets when going out to parks and on walks to school. Children learn about the importance of being healthy and become independent in attending to their personal care needs from an early age. For example, all children have their own individual towels, which are recognised by a picture on the hook. They are encouraged to wash hands prior to snack time and after visiting the toilet. Children are well nourished through an excellent varied menu of healthy, nutritious snacks and meals freshly prepared. The children also enjoy helping to make food. School-age children help to prepare and pack their own lunch boxes, making healthy choices as they chop up the fresh vegetables

p.6

and outcomes for children

and make sandwiches. There are clear boundaries in place and children are extremely well behaved. The childminder sets boundaries and displays posters of 'house rules' around the home. Children are encouraged to respect toys and equipment and help at tidy up time. They are polite and say 'thank you' and 'please' when asking for toys, snacks and assistance. Children receive consistent praise for all achievements along with reward charts for more able children. They clearly enjoy themselves and benefit greatly from the time they spend with the childminder. 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 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.7

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

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