Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 506387 Inspection date 16 November 2005 Inspector Cheryl Wilson

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1992. She lives with her family in a market town in the Bassetlaw district of North Nottinghamshire. Minded children have access to most areas of the ground floor, with toilet and sleeping facilitates provided in this area. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding eight children in total, of which six are under the age of eight years. Children attend for various sessions through the week or before and after school. The childminder works with a co-minder on the same premises. She walks to

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 local schools to take and collect children. She visits local amenities such as toddler groups, the childminding support groups, shops, play parks and the library. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and their quality assurance scheme Quality First.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are looked after in a meticulously clean, well maintained and comfortable environment. They benefit from the excellent strategies in place to ensure their good health is safeguarded. The childminder has developed a hygiene policy to ensure that she promotes and complies with the highest standards of hygiene in the home. Children and adults remove their shoes before entering the main areas of the home to ensure the carpeted areas, where children sit and play, are kept free from contamination. From the early stages in their development all children know about the importance of good personal hygiene as the cloakroom is filled with stimulating reminders. For example, a brightly illustrated children's book is laminated and placed next to the toilet so young children can look at the pictures and share the important messages of why they should wash their hands. Older children follow the instructions

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Helping children to be healthy

for washing hands that are detailed on the fun poster. All children use their own immaculately presented personal towels, displayed at their level, so they can dry their hands independently and without risk of cross infection. As a result children know that washing hands is an important part of preventing the spread of germs and to stop them from becoming unwell. The childminder uses a very hygienic, specifically designed bin to dispose of nappies and training pants in the cloakroom to ensure children are not exposed to risks. This procedure also ensures that she can dedicate her time to meeting the children's needs rather than been involved in a longer routine. A comprehensive, well written policy for dealing with children who are unwell, is shared with all parents, which means they jointly ensure that all children in the setting are not exposed to any infections. Children stay protected as the childminder

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Helping children to be healthy

has meticulous systems in place when she is required to give medication. Prior written permission is always sought from parents, details recorded and the resulting entry is signed by parents to acknowledge that this information has been shared with them. The childminder has attended first aid training to enable her to follow appropriate procedures if children have accidents or become ill. Children stay very well nourished as they receive an excellent variety of healthy, nutritionally balanced meals such as tuna and pasta salad or sandwiches with apple, banana and carrots. A weekly menu is displayed for parents to agree the options and children know what they are having through an attractive photograph menu displayed at their height. All children sit together to have their meals, which creates a social atmosphere where children can enjoy their food. Older babies have their food finely chopped to enable them to use their fingers to feed themselves, promoting their

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Helping children to be healthy

independence and sense of achievement. A bowl of fruit is attractively labelled to encourage children to take a piece whenever they feel hungry, encouraging healthy eating. Many of the fruits available are grown in the childminder's family garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children help to tender the trees and collect the fruits which makes them excited about trying the apples, pears, plums and greengages. They sometimes grow vegetables and salad ingredients to promote their interest in eating healthily. A variety of bright and colourful healthy eating posters and poems are displayed around the kitchen. This provides an excellent and fun means of informing children of the effects of healthy eating on their growing bodies. Children make choices from drinks of milk, water and fresh fruit juice to quench their thirst independently. Children rest when they are tired and have appropriate sleep routines based on their individual needs and parents wishes. They engage in a wide range of active play experiences to extend their physical skills. Children have planned and spontaneous

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Helping children to be healthy

opportunities for regular exercise using the extensive, purpose designed garden. They ride the bicycles, cars, scooters and tricycles around the many pathways specifically laid to provide tracks and routes for children to travel around. Children play in the magical fairy garden full of pretend animals, windmills and wishing wells that inspire and extend their imaginations. They play vets and make up wonderful stories about the animals. All ages of children use an excellent selection of outdoor toys to promote and extend their physical skills. A wide variety of balls in all sizes, textures and shapes help all children to participate in a wide variety of games or to help them to learn to throw, aim, kick and catch. Children have opportunities to play out in the fresh air in all weathers. A gazebo is used to protect them from strong sunshine whilst a partially covered porch allows children to play imaginatively in cold

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Helping children to be healthy

or wet weather conditions. Children take exercise by regularly walking to the local schools, childminding and toddler groups. Babies physical skills are very well planned for in the home environment taking full regard of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Equipment such as brightly coloured, noisy mushroom shaped toys encourage babies to stand and balance independently. A tunnel placed over a music mat provides a highly effective and stimulating way to encourage babies to crawl. Older children show delight as they make different tunes and this encourages their younger peers to follow their lead. As a result children have great fun whilst staying active.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in a spacious home, truly dedicated to meet their individual needs and current interests. Rooms and areas used for childminding are very effectively organised to ensure different ages of children can play together in harmony. The extensive range of play materials are of exceptionally good quality and are consistently checked to maintain high standards of safety and suitability. Children make daily choices from a wealth of well organised and inspirational activities appropriate to each child's age and stage of development. Play materials are spread around all areas of the home used for childminding to create an exciting and visually stimulating environment. An abundance of materials in different colours, shapes and textures are carefully laid along the floor to extend all children's sensory experiences. They show fascination as the silver material, arranged with animals to make an artic

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

scene, shines and rustles as they sit amongst its folds. Older children talk about the different pebbles printed onto the smooth, reflective cloth. They compare the feel of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 the real pebbles and try to match them by shape and colour. Children who attend the home before and after school are fully involved in planning and organising the environment for themselves and their younger peers. They take great delight in draping swathes of fabric around the home and in the partially covered porch area to make backgrounds for their imaginative play. They take great care in using one of the sitting rooms or kitchen table to play with toys that are made from small components to prevent these from becoming a hazard for babies or toddlers. All areas used for childminding, including the garden, have been thoroughly risk assessed and all potential hazards have been very effectively minimised to prevent accidents. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to achieve a

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

balance between freedom and setting safe limits, and how to involve children effectively in organising their environment. As a result children enjoy exploring the home independently whilst developing some sense of danger and knowledge about how to protect themselves from harm. Children also know how to keep themselves safe as informative posters and photographs are displayed as constant reminders. A photograph of children wearing reflective tabards, displayed near the coat pegs, reminds children to wear these when going out so they can be seen in all weathers and are easily identifiable if out on trips and visits. They travel safely in cars as each child uses a securely fitted car seat appropriate to their age and weight. The childminder and her co-minder limit the number of children they care for at any one time, to ensure that all adults and children have their own seat and belt. Children attend exciting workshops organised by the local childminding group; and listen to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

stories and information books shared with the childminder; so they can learn how to stay safe from road and stranger dangers when out in the community. Excellent security systems are in place to ensure only authorised persons may have access to children and the childminder has well thought out written procedures regarding a lost or uncollected child. Children are fully protected from the risk of fire as the fire safety procedures have been carefully considered. A fire blanket is readily accessible in the kitchen and many smoke detectors are placed around the home. All ages of children take part in the regular fire evacuation practices to ensure they leave the premises quickly and calmly in case of an emergency. They know they must not collect any belongings or even stop to get their shoes as the most important thing is for them to escape without harm. Children learn about this further through looking at information books, listening

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to stories and making visits to the local fire station. Children stay very well protected from harm as the childminder has a detailed knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. She has attended several training courses and has developed detailed information in regard to current procedures to enable her to follow these if necessary. The documentation is shared with parents to build an effective partnership and maintain the interest of children at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. They are happy and eager to participate in the vast range of well planned, exciting activities and learning opportunities. Close and caring relationships increase children’s sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. All children grow, learn, play imaginatively and achieve well, because of the childminder's excellent knowledge and understanding of early years guidance, such as the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. Children also make excellent progress because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child and carefully monitors their development across all aspects of learning. Play materials are meticulously planned to meet each child's current needs and interests. Established

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

routines, such as nappy changing and meal times, are well organised to promote the different aspects of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Early communication skills are extremely well supported through high quality interactions between the childminder and children. They listen attentively to stories told by childminder on lots of themes to extend children's knowledge and inspire their imaginations. Children make comparisons between pictures of musical instruments in a large book and the real instruments that are out for them to make music with. They ask lots of questions to quench their natural curiosity and receive detailed replies to enhance their vocabulary. They use lots of puppets and dolls to make up rhymes or to re-tell stories. Older children drape fabric across doors on the walls of the partially covered porch to create stages for their productions and plays. Young children learn about number, colour and shape as the childminder uses everyday activities to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

extend children's knowledge. For example, when children play in the café, they count out money and describe the play food. Children begin to make sense of the world and express their ideas as they join in a diverse range of exploratory and sensory experiences. All ages of children take part in making musical instruments, to use alongside the manufactured ones, so they can make a band together. Young babies watch in fascination as the rain maker's beads shimmer and shake along the tube. Babies make simple connections between sounds and movement as the childminder assists them in playing with the instruments. Children use their senses to explore the beautiful arctic scene created with swathes of silver fabric and model animals. They dance to an excellent variety of recorded music from around the world, trying to match their movements to the rhythm. The childminder also uses music to help children to relax or to set the tone

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

for their imaginative play. Children have extensive opportunities to mix and socialise with other children, as the childminder regularly attends local toddler and childminding support groups and uses local facilities such as the library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are welcomed and play a full part in the home because the childminder and her co-minder value and respect their individuality and the family context for each child. Children gain an outstanding awareness of the wider society and have the utmost respect for others as learning about the similarities and differences of society is an integral aspect of their everyday practice. The home is filled with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 posters, poems and artefacts that portray positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. A wonderful collection of dolls dressed in traditional costumes from Africa, Asia and Europe complement the photographs of the minded children wearing similar costumes. The simple cards, globes and maps that surround the dolls explain the different cultural backgrounds. They also assist children in independently finding out more about the world's faiths and beliefs, and where they may have originated from. All children regularly dress up in a large collection of outfits representing many cultures and roles. The childminder and her co-minder also dress in the costumes to affirm the children's practice, and to provide a role-model when attending festival days held by the local childminding group. All children participate in a range of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

activities to celebrate festivals such as Divali, Chinese New Year, Christmas and St Patrick's day to help them feel positive about their own and other's beliefs. Children take delight in using the Japanese food to make a café that is named after a minded child to promote his sense of belonging and importance in the home. All children access the abundance of materials crammed onto the interest table to help them understand the additional support some people require to move or communicate. For example, books containing sign language and Braille develop children's knowledge of how people can communicate without words or pictures. Children are active participants in their community. They regularly attend local toddler, childminding and school events to support their positive contribution and sense of belonging. Children with additional needs are fully included in the setting. The childminder works very

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Helping children make a positive contribution

closely with parents and health professionals to ensure children's individual needs are fully addressed. Children have their development carefully monitored and all achievements are shared with parents to celebrate their success. Children's behaviour is exemplary. All ages of children play harmoniously together as they understand the consistent boundaries and simple rules for play. This creates an environment of mutual respect and care. Children’s understanding of right and wrong is increased as they respond to gentle reminders to care for their environment, play materials and each other. Older babies take interest in their younger peers and want to make physical contact by stroking and touching. The childminder sensitively demonstrates how to do this gently to enable the older baby to relate to their younger peer and make a positive relationship. Pre-school children provide excellent role models for toddlers and babies as they consistently use manners and include others

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Helping children make a positive contribution

in their play. An excellent partnership with parents contributes significantly to children’s well-being in the home. Parent’s views about their child’s needs and interests are actively sought before the child starts at the setting, and on a regular basis throughout their time there. At the time a child is placed in the care of the childminder, parents receive a wide range of documentation and information about the childminding service. This includes the childminder's aims and objectives, an extensive range of written policies and parent contracts. Written consent is obtained from parents to allow children to participate in walks or outings, and to be transported in a vehicle. Children experience continuity in their care as the childminder takes positive steps to ensure information is exchanged with parents on a regular basis through daily discussion, written diaries and newsletters. The childminder ensures that all parents know how

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Helping children make a positive contribution

their children are developing as she has developed an excellent system of assessing children's progress in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework. An informative

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 poster, relating to the framework, is prominently displayed in the kitchen so parents can clearly see all aspects relating to each stage of development. Parents write letters to demonstrate their great satisfaction with the level of care their children receive from the childminder. Older children express their delight in attending the home through recording a CD to explain their favourite activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are cared for in environment where the childminder rigorously evaluates her practice taking into account the National Standards, the 'Birth to three matters' framework, and additional information provided by the National Childminding Association. Children's care is greatly enhanced by the exceptional quality of organisation and the childminder's ongoing commitment and desire to continue to improve the high quality service she provides to parents and the children in her care. For example, children benefit as the childminder continues to enthusiastically embrace training opportunities. Although the childminder has extensive childminding experience she has attended a wealth of training opportunities such as first aid, the 'Introduction to, and Developing Childminding Practice' courses. She has also attended training in the 'Birth of three matters' framework, supporting children in

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Organisation

learning to read, baby massage, working with left handed children and several practical play courses. Children are happy, calm and settled within the childminder's routines which includes effectively organising activities, time and space. As a result children are enthusiastic and inspired, engaging in a range of innovative and imaginative planned and spontaneous activities both indoors and outside. These include themed activities that are varied and flexible and take into account children's ages and stages of development. The childminder works seamlessly with her co-minder to ensure children's individual needs are consistently addressed. The childminder maintains a highly organised business-like approach to her childminding. She has clear knowledge of her duty to effectively meet the National Standards and takes seriously her childminding responsibilities and has all the relevant documentation in place to support the childminding service. The childminder

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Organisation

is a member of the National Childminding Association and effectively uses their wide range of documentation. She provides written statements regarding an extensive range of procedures and policy documentation. For example, behaviour management, equal opportunities, child protection, lost and uncollected children, a sickness policy and parent contracts. This has a very positive impact on the consistency and quality of care provided and contributes to children's health, safety and well-being. Overall the provision fully meets the needs of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last Children Act inspection a recommendation was raised for the childminder to increase her knowledge of child protection procedures. In response she completed two comprehensive training packages and developed a detailed policy that is shared

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 with parents so they are fully aware of how their children will be protected. This enhances the existing safety measures in place for children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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