Childminder in Nottingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY340303 Inspection date 28/06/2010 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 2006. She lives with her husband, two adult daughters and 14-year-old son in a house in the Basford district of Nottingham. Minded children use the ground floor of the house for play, with access to the first floor bathroom and bedrooms as needed. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. A dog is kept as a family pet. 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 under the age of eight at any one time. There are currently four children under the age of eight on roll on a part-time basis, all in the early years age range. 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 extremely confident and settled in this very welcoming and well- organised family home. The childminder has a thorough understanding of the welfare and learning requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Consequently, relevant documentation is generally used well to underpin effective arrangements for children's care. Children enjoy a wide and stimulating range of activities and experiences enabling them to make high levels of progress in their learning. The childminder works well with parents to ensure that she has a good understanding of each child's individuality. She has established some links with other early years providers which children attend. The childminder shows a strong commitment to build on the existing high quality of provision for children through continued development and training.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend arrangements to share information with other early years providers which children attend in order to more fully promote progression in each child's care and learning  review risk assessment arrangements to ensure that they accurately cover everything with which children have access, with particular regard to the wall and steps of the raised patio.

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the early years provision

Arrangements to protect children from harm are good. The childminder maintains systematic and accessible records demonstrating that all adults in the household have undergone relevant clearance checks to ascertain their suitability. She had undertaken recent training to update her awareness of safeguarding issues. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Consequently, she has a good overview of what child abuse and neglect mean, and of her responsibilities in the event of any concern about a child or allegation of abuse. The childminder seeks and records full information from parents about each child's specific health, care and dietary needs. She maintains a current paediatric first aid qualification and has parental consent to seek medical advice in the event of an emergency. This ensures that she is able to act promptly in children's best interests in any accident or sudden illness. The childminder supervises children

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the early years provision

vigilantly. She maintains a concise record of risk assessments covering most aspects of the house and garden. However, these occasionally omit consideration of specific areas to which children have access, such as, the wall and steps of the raised rear patio. Consequently, they are not fully effective in underpinning the careful practical precautions taken to maintain children's safety.

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the early years provision

Children are cared for in an extremely well-organised and welcoming environment, where the childminder makes excellent use of available space and resources to create a very stimulating range of indoor and outdoor experiences promoting children's enjoyment and development. The childminder has taken good steps to address the single recommendation from her previous inspection by increasing the range of resources reflecting positive images of diversity. Consequently, children now enjoy purposeful use of very good quality play equipment helping to promote their recognition and respect for individual and cultural similarities and differences. For example, they successfully complete jigsaws featuring figures of different ages, gender, appearance and with a range of mobility aids. The childminder continues to systematically review the quality of her service and shows an active commitment to further developing its existing high quality. For example, she is

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the early years provision

currently completing a further recognised early years qualification, and is actively exploring ways to extend provision for outdoor play across all weather conditions.

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the early years provision

Parents receive good quality information about arrangements for their children's care through initial visits, and the provision of clear and relevant written information about the childminder's policies and procedures, and ways in which she implements the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder ensures that she is well-informed about each child's needs, interests and preferences as they start with her, by seeking and recording parents' own observations and views. These provide useful 'starting points' for the childminder's ongoing observations of children's individuality and changing abilities, which she shares with parents through daily diaries and developmental folders. The childminder is clear on the importance of working closely with parents and other relevant professionals to ensure that she is able to support the inclusion of any child with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She already seeks

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the early years provision

information from parents about children's experiences and progress at other early years providers which they attend, such as, nurseries. She has been pro-active in seeking to establish closer links with such providers. However, such arrangements are not yet fully developed to consistently promote the highest levels of progression for each child. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a very strong sense of security and belonging in this very welcoming family home. For example, they show delight in recognising and talking about themselves in the low mirror panel which is fitted in the hall. They are equally enthusiastic in identifying and talking warmly about extensive displays of photographs of minded children and their families, so demonstrating strong relationships with others. Children are very confident and purposeful if choosing to play independently, for example, when spontaneously preparing drinks and snacks at the play kitchen. They show high levels of skill in involving others in their play, for example, when using the 'microphone' on a toy swipe card till to call an adult to 'come to the shop to collect your magic wand and purse'. Children show very high levels of sustained attention, for example, when successfully manipulating and fitting puzzle pieces together.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder gives high attention to helping children develop their literacy and numeracy, for example, by actively promoting their awareness of sounds and letters, and by encouraging them to use simple and well-chosen reference books to extend their interests. She involves children in a wide range of action songs and counting games to help them recognise and sequence numbers. They gain an excellent understanding of everyday technology. For example, they use keyboards and mobile phones in office play, successfully control a computer cursor by using a mouse, and operate the computer printer to produce their favourite prints. Consequently, they are developing an excellent basis for their future skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good overview of the six areas of learning identified within the Early Years Foundation Stage, and of the value of practical play and first hand experiences in helping to support their development. She takes account of information about nursery topics and themes to help children make some links in their learning. For example, children develop their understanding of 'changes' as they grow sunflowers. Children enjoy a wide range of pretend play opportunities, helping them to develop their imaginations and act out their experiences, for example as they pretend to be hairdressers or doctors. They enjoy using recycled materials and a range of natural and man-made items to create collages and box models. They explore different substances, such as, dough, sand and water, so learning about their similarities and differences. Children enjoy developing their dexterity from an early age. For example, babies use their fingers to manipulate

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and outcomes for children

corn flour 'gloop', and older children begin to make meaningful marks and symbols in their independent writing. Children enjoy many interesting opportunities for energetic play and exercise, such as, using challenging scrambling equipment at local parks, and developing their coordination and responses in games, such as, musical statues.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes children's awareness of good hygiene practices as she reminds them of the importance of washing and drying their hands before eating, providing individual paper towels to reduce risks of cross-infection. The childminder actively extends children's experience of different ways to enjoy nutritious foods. For example, she explains what 'grated' carrot is, and plans with children to include This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 it in tomorrow's snack. She makes effective use of this to help promote children's safety awareness, by explaining that graters are sharp and can hurt fingers, so are best used by an adult. Children develop a good awareness of safety. For example, the childminder ensures that toddlers and pre-school children know what to do in the event of the smoke alarms going off. She provides an interesting range of small tools, such as, scissors, tape dispensers and hole punches, so helping

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and outcomes for children

children learn how to use these safely. 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 1 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 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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