Childminder in NottinghamOfsted inspection, 27 May 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY402356 Inspection date 27/05/2010 Inspector Alison Putnar

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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 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.

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

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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

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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 registered in 2009. She lives with her partner and two children aged eight years and two years in Nottingham. The property is close to Nottingham city centre. Access to the home is via a step to the front door. The whole of the downstairs of the property is used for childminding. Toilet and additional sleep facilities are provided on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for five children under the age of eight years at any one time. There are currently three children on roll, attending part-time during the week, all are in the early years age range.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has made a promising start to her business. She demonstrates a genuine commitment to improving and extending her knowledge and skills for the benefit of the children and has completed an accurate self-evaluation to identify strengths and areas for improvement. The childminder has a secure understanding of the welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has developed some effective practices to maintain children's safety. She is developing knowledge of the learning and development requirements and is at an early stage of assessing and planning for children's learning. The childminder values parents' views and works closely with them to ensure children's individual needs are accommodated.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further knowledge of the six areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure that children's practical play activities are used to incorporate wider areas of learning  use the next steps highlighted from observations of children's development to inform planning to enable children to build on the skills they already have and thus reach their full potential  improve the two way flow of information with parents to promote a shared understanding of children’s developmental needs and to provide greater continuity in their learning and development.

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the early years provision

Children's safety is effectively maintained in the setting. They are cared for in a safe environment because the childminder completes risk assessments for the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 home and outings in order to reduce the likelihood of accidents. The childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures in relation to requirements for protecting children from harm or neglect. All adults living on the premises have undergone the appropriate checks to confirm that they are suitable to be around children. A range of written policies and procedures, including those relating to safeguarding children, are shared with parents promoting a shared responsibility in keeping children safe and enabling parents to feel secure in the childminder's practices.

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the early years provision

The home is well organised and space is created for children to rest and play in comfortable surroundings. The spacious lounge, dining area and conservatory provide opportunities for children to explore a range of different activities simultaneously, ensuring all are active and interested. For example, older children enjoy a craft activity at the table while young ones explore a range of musical instruments on the carpet. Children can sleep peacefully in the lounge while others continue to be active in the conservatory, enabling children to follow their own routines. The garden is used daily to offer physical play and fresh air and the childminder is considering how she can extend learning opportunities for children in this area. A suitable range of activities are provided on the whole. The children enjoy their play and the childminder is beginning to consider how activities can help children to make progress as they learn through play. She is at an early stage

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the early years provision

of assessing children's learning and is beginning to highlight next steps for them to work towards.

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the early years provision

Good relationships are established with parents to ensure that information is shared and documented to enable the childminder to meet individual needs. Records include all required information and the childminder pays close attention to catering for any medical or dietary details. She takes time to feedback to parents daily and uses diaries as an effective system of sharing information about daily routines and activities. The childminder's records of children's development have yet to be shared. Parents report that they find the childminder approachable and are happy that their children are settled and making progress in her care.

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the early years provision

A strong commitment to continuously improving the setting is evident. The childminder has attended all required training and has also attended further courses including those around equality and diversity, and health and safety issues. She has completed an evaluation of her service, highlighting areas that she hopes to develop further and regularly takes and acts upon advice from relevant professionals. She now needs time to implement her ideas to fully benefit the children.

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and outcomes for children

Children come into the childminder's home happily and settle quickly. They confidently access the activities and resources on offer. Toys are stored in accessible units to assist children in making choices about that they want to play with. The childminder also plans some activities to provide variety in children's play. Importantly she takes account of children's interest when providing activities; This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 as a result they want to take part. In response to individuals' interest of vehicles she provides resources to make models of aeroplanes. Children develop their creativity as they join together recyclable materials when making the models. They experiment using glue, paint and collage materials and use different tools such as brushes, pens, crayons and child safety scissors, developing hand control and skills for future writing.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder helps children to learn about acceptable behaviour through sensitive and calm techniques. She reminds children about the importance of taking turns and sharing toys with some successes. Children's personal independence is encouraged through daily routines, taking time for children to try to put on their own shoes before playing outside. The childminder works closely with parents on issues such as toilet training. The childminder and children begin to visit local community facilities such as they library to extend daily experiences. Now that the children are settled the childminder hopes to attend other local groups to offer increased opportunities for them to mix with others of similar age extending their social skills. Children make progress in their language skills as the childminder engages in play with them. Together they share books; younger ones enthusiastically join in with animal noises when looking at the pictures.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit in terms of their health through regularly using the garden and visiting local parks. Here they develop physical skills as they play football and manoeuvre wheeled toys. In the garden children tend to repeat skills propelling themselves along in toy cars. The childminder is at an early stage of considering how she can incorporate wider areas of learning into these popular activities, such as, chalking numbered parking bays on the patio as a method of introducing numbers to children. Children begin to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world as they explore natural materials such as sand and water and have begun to grow and care for sunflowers. Meals and snack take account of individual needs and also encourage a health diet. The childminder follows good hygiene routines and acts as a positive role model to children through regular hand washing.

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and outcomes for children

Children operate safely in the setting, the childminder sensitively helps them to understand about safe practices such as sitting properly on chairs to prevent falls. During trips out they talk about issues such as road safety. The childminder is proactive in challenging stereotypes, she encourages boys and girls to equally access activities such as cooking, football, doll and car play. Some resources such as books are used to help children begin to explore similarities and differences in their own and others lives. 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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

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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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