Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 252975 Inspection date 24/06/2010 Inspector Alison Edwards

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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

This childminder registered in 1991. She lives in a house in a residential suburb in the Rushcliffe district of Nottinghamshire. Minded children use the ground floor of the house for play, with access to two bedrooms and bathroom facilities on the first floor. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years, including three in the early years age range at any one time. There are currently seven children under the age of eight on roll, including five in the early years age range on a part-time basis. The childminder is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register to care for older children.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are settled and relaxed in this childminder's care, so helping them to enjoy their time with her and make good progress in their development. The childminder has a good overview of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Consequently, requirements for children's welfare and learning are generally effectively met, other than a specific exception relating to the regular review and recording of risk assessments. Effective partnerships with parents help enable the childminder to meet children's individual needs well, and there are generally good arrangements in place to support other aspects of diversity and inclusion. The childminder has established systems to review many aspects of her service, helping her to effectively prioritise ways to further improve the existing quality of her provision.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 review risk assessments regularly, at least annually or more frequently if the need arises, and ensure that records include the date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 08/07/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 extend awareness of positive ways to help challenge children's thinking about diversity and help them to embrace individual and cultural differences from an early age. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Arrangements to protect children from harm are generally good. The childminder knows that she is responsible for promptly informing Ofsted of any changes in the household to enable the necessary suitability clearances to be completed. She has recently attended training to update her knowledge of what child abuse and neglect are, and of her responsibilities in the event of any concerns about a child or allegation of abuse. Consequently, she has a clear understanding of how to act in children's best interests in any such event. Required records relating to individual children's personal, care and health needs are methodical and accessible, including permission to seek emergency medical treatment if needed. This, together with the childminder's current paediatric first aid qualification, helps to ensure that she is able to act promptly in the event of any accident or sudden illness. Children are cared for in a well-organised home, where they begin to learn

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the early years provision

about aspects of how to care for their environment, for example as they decide what can be recycled. The childminder takes good practical precautions to promote children's safety. She has undertaken and recorded risk assessments to document these. However, she does not yet have systems in place to review these at least annually and document the date of review in order to comply fully with the specific requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

The childminder has taken effective steps to address the single recommendation raised at her previous inspection by ensuring that she has procedures to comply with nationally agreed requirements in the event of any complaint about her childcare service. She now has systems to review the effectiveness of her own practice in order to prioritise areas for further development and ways to do this. For example, she has made good use of local courses to build on her existing knowledge and skills, such as how to use observation and planning more effectively to promote children's progress. She recognises that she is not yet fully confident on the most effective ways of helping children recognise and respect diversity from an early age, and is actively seeking further training on this. Consequently, she demonstrates a good commitment to continuing improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents so that she has a good understanding of each child's needs, preferences and interests when they start with her, so enabling her to take good account of their individuality. A useful pack provides helpful information to prospective parents about the childminder's services. This, together with clear written agreements, helps to ensure there is a good shared understanding of arrangements for children's care. The childminder has established the use of satisfaction surveys to systematically seek parents' views and suggestions relating to their children's care and progress. She is developing effective ways to use developmental logs and reviews to supplement informal discussion with parents about children's progress and how to best extend this. The childminder has also established links with other early years providers which children attend in order to help support continuity and progression in their care

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the early years provision

and learning. She is aware of the importance of working with other agencies, such as health professionals, to help support the identification and inclusion of any children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

There are good arrangements to help children develop a healthy lifestyle. For example, the childminder encourages children's growing understanding of why they need hats when playing in the sun. Children extend their movement skills through a range of energetic play during outings and in the home. For example, they develop their coordination skills in parachute games, and show pride and pleasure when reaching a higher step on a climbing frame. Children adopt good personal hygiene routines, such as using sanitising gel to ensure their hands are clean before eating. They enjoy balanced and nutritious food, contributing to a healthy diet and taking account of any individual dietary needs. Children show good levels of dexterity, such as when successfully manipulating toy tools in workshop play. The childminder helps children gain growing understanding of aspects of safety, for example, as she talks with them about the differences

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and outcomes for children

between the toy electric drill in the toolkit and real power tools. Children are independent and responsible in their use of toys and play equipment, so showing that they feel confident and secure. They readily cooperate with others in self- chosen games, as they play 'chase' together, or take turns to push each other in wheeled toys. They show growing awareness and recognition of others when spontaneously talking about absent children in their play. Children have access to a number of good quality resources reflecting aspects of different cultures and lifestyles.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good overview of what children need to learn, and of how to support children's development through practical play activities. She makes good use of parents' knowledge of their own children to establish a clear shar ed understanding of each child's individual needs, preferences and abilities when they start with her. She is gaining growing confidence in using systematic observations and assessments to track children's progress and identify priorities for their continued development. Consequently, children benefit from a varied range of experiences helping them to make good progress and establish a firm basis for their future skills. Children show interest and enjoyment in a good range of picture books, including some with dual language scripts. Young toddlers confidently use simple language to express their ideas, for example when circling their arms and spontaneously calling 'helicopters'. Children show sustained concentration when

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and outcomes for children

successfully fitting puzzle pieces together, so gaining awareness of shape, space and size. Toddlers readily begin to recognise numerals and use number names, and spontaneously begin to count items in sequence. Children across the age range develop confidence and familiarity with everyday technology. For example, babies enjoy twisting levers and opening flaps on 'cause and effect' toys and older children use a recently acquired laptop to access relevant computer programs and games. Children learn about their local community, for example when posting letters on a local walk. They begin to take some simple steps to care for the environment, such as when deciding which items will go in the recycling bin. They enjoy using resources such as dough, paint and collage materials, and participate in a range of pretend play and music activities, so enabling them to express their creativity and imagination. 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 2 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 2

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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 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 undertake a risk assessment of the premises and equipment at least once each calendar year and immediately if the need for an assessment arises (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment - also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 08/07/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as identified in the compulsory Childcare Register section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) 08/07/2010

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