Childminder, Out-of school day care in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 252704 Inspection date 29/07/2010 Inspector Karen Ann Byfleet

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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 assesses 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 has been registered since 1995. She lives with her husband in the Mansfield Woodhouse area of Nottinghamshire. The family has a 19 year old pet cockatiel. Local amenities such as shops, parks and schools are all within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home, the bathroom and small front bedroom on the first floor are accessible to minded children. There is also a fully enclosed rear garden which is used for outside play activities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children under eight years. There are currently four children on roll and of these two are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a Level 3 qualification in childcare. She receives support from the local authority, is a member of the National Childminding Association and is an active member of the local childminding group.

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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

Children are making excellent progress in their learning and development. They are very happy and settled within the highly organised environment and the childminder clearly recognises and values the uniqueness of each child that attends. The extremely effective partnerships that have been developed with parents ensure children's welfare needs are consistently met. All required documentation is in place to ensure children are safeguarded. The childminder has maintained and reviewed her provision through a detailed self-evaluation and is fully committed to maintaining continuous improvement of her provision.

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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 further children's access to information technology.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has implemented a detailed and effective policy and procedure which she shares with parents. The policy is clear in informing parents and carers of her responsibilities to ensure children are safeguarded. Effective and detailed risk assessments are in place for the premises, equipment and for all outings undertaken with the children. These are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain valid and consistent. Highly effective safety This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 measures are in place with regard to the premises. The door to the house is kept locked and the gate outside in the rear garden has locks fitted to prevent unwanted visitors from entering the premises, ensuring children are safe. An emergency evacuation plan is in place which is practised with the children and recorded, helping to raise children's awareness of safety. Children's health and

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the early years provision

welfare is fully supported through a varied and balanced diet of healthy foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables. All required written permissions are in place for the childminder to administer medication and for her to seek any necessary medical advice or treatment. Enhancing children's well-being. Resources are very well maintained, clean and suitable for their purpose.

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the early years provision

The childminder's self-evaluation is detailed, forward thinking and clearly identifies and reflects her highly effective practice. Recommendation made at the previous inspection has been completed well and as a result the childminder demonstrates a strong capacity for maintaining continuous improvement. She has excellent knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has devised her practice to include very effective observation and assessment systems to ensure she is monitoring children's progress and development fully. Partnerships with parents are professional and very effective. They are given access to the childminder's written policies and information about children's welfare is exchanged daily through verbal communication and also through written diaries. Information with regard to the children's progress in their learning and development is also shared regularly to ensure the children continue to develop and make progress.

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the early years provision

The development of beneficial links with other providers who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage is in its infancy. However, the childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of how she will ensure relationships with nursery are developed in order to promote integration of care and education for children that attend and to ensure children's learning is consistent and coherent.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely happy and settled in the childminder's home and they are making excellent progress in their learning and development. The childminder interacts very well with the children in their freely chosen play and she is warm and caring towards them. The environment is organised very well which ensures the children are able to independently access toys and resources, helping to raise their sense of belonging and self-esteem. The childminder plans very effective routines and activities which clearly take account of individual children's interests and choices. Outdoor activities are planned and provided on a daily basis and the childminder is flexible as she takes account of what children want to do and the weather conditions. The childminder plans activities very well and undertakes regular observations that link to the areas of learning in order for her to plan the next steps in children's learning. She responds positively to children's interests and

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and outcomes for children

through her excellent liaisons with parents she is able to extend on what children show interest in.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare and safety is fully supported. They feel safe within the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder's home and they confidently approach her and any visitors to the home and they are developing independence as they make choices. The childminder has very detailed and clear policies and procedures in place to ensure children are well cared for if they fall ill or have minor accidents and she holds a valid first aid certificate. Children's health is further supported through the healthy foods and drinks which are available to children throughout the day. Children are developing a highly effective awareness of their own personal hygiene as they know and follow hygiene procedures such as washing their hands before eating and after using the bathroom and cleaning their teeth after meals. All children have their own individual wash bags with face cloths, tooth brushes and hair

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and outcomes for children

brushes and they also have individual hand towels which helps prevent any cross- infection.

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and outcomes for children

Children's development in all six areas of learning is promoted extremely well. They have regular access to activities that encourage and develop their skills such as problem solving and communication. For example, they enjoy filling the different sized bottles and containers with water, watching ice melt and making play dough with the childminder. They participate in craft and creative activities such as painting and collage. The children are cooperative and play very well together forming strong relationships with each other. For example, they show off their own pictures but also talk about other children's pictures who are not present. Activities planned and provided, enable children to further extend their literacy and numeracy skills. For example as they play with the hopscotch game outdoors, they name and identify numbers one to 10 with ease and they recognise letters of their name as they use alphabet cutters with the play dough. Children's

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and outcomes for children

social skills are developing as they talk about their friends from the toddler groups. However, children's access to information technology is limited to the toddler groups they attend and they have few opportunities to freely access activities that involve information technology within the childminder's home. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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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