Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY403692 Inspection date 27/09/2010 Inspector Sue Riley

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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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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 was registered in 2010. She lives with her husband and two school-age children in the village of Linby, to the north of Nottingham. There are facilities close by such as a parks, schools and shops. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for eight children, of which four are in the early years range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. At times the childminder works with an assistant.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a recognised early years qualification. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Toilet facilities are provided on the first floor. The family has a pet dog. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and the childminding support group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 safe, secure and cared for in a clean and comfortable home. A child- friendly environment is created to ensure all children are included and enjoy their time with the childminder. Children show good levels of self-esteem because the childminder gets to know them very well and values them as individuals. The childminder has developed a good close working relationship with parents, which helps her to understand children's individual needs and to achieve a consistent approach to the children's care. Most aspects of children's welfare are suitably promoted which means that children are fully safeguarded. The childminder is starting to use the self-evaluation process to identify areas for improvement and this is being used to ensure that the provision for children is continually improving.

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further?

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

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further?

 raise awareness of your responsibilities under food hygiene legislation including registration with the relevant Local Authority Environmental Health Department  develop further the use of reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify current strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of the provision for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder understands her role to protect them from harm. She has a sound knowledge of safeguarding issues and has a written detailed statement of the procedures to follow if she was concerned about a child. Parents are reassured as the childminder provides information about how she is registered, about vetting arrangements for herself and other household members over 16, and about her experience and training. Records of risk assessments are in place for all areas of the home used for childminding purposes and the childminder makes regular checks to identify and minimise any hazards. Due attention is given to risk assessing outings with the children and a clear procedure is in place to guide practice when out in the community. Effective safety 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

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the early years provision

entering the premises, ensuring children are safe. All required records and documents for the safe and efficient management of the children are in place. Confidentiality is maintained and documents are kept secure and are very well organised. Detailed policies and procedures are in place and these are reviewed regularly or as any changes are made.

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the early years provision

Parent partnerships are promoted very well through discussions to meet children's individual needs and parents are encouraged to share what they know about their child's care needs, likes and dislikes, cultural and religious requirements. Equality for all children in the childminder's care is promoted and the childminder is aware to adapt activities to ensure they can engage and progress their learning. The childminder exchanges information with parents daily as she talks and shares records about what the child has been doing throughout the day. For the younger children daily diaries are also completed which helps the parents fully understand their child's day. Effective partnerships are in place with other providers the children attend so that the childminder is able to fully support these children in their care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates ambition, vision and drive to develop the provision further. She has started to develop a system of self-evaluation in order for her to demonstrate that she is effectively reflecting on her practice and identifying strengths and areas for development to maintain continuous improvement within her service. The childminder attends regular training to continually improve her knowledge and understanding around caring for children. She organises the environment effectively to ensure children have suitable areas for play and rest. The childminder is aware of their individual needs and plans effectively to ensure toys and activities are accessible to all. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of the learning and development and welfare requirements to promote children's learning and care. The childminder is very much aware that children learn through play, she allows them to choose what they want to do and is able to extend their learning through the activities. For example, when children are learning to walk, she provides wheeled toys and supports them fully whilst walking. Children's welfare needs are met and they achieve as well as they can as the childminder adapts activities to ensure they can all participate. The childminder has systems in place to monitor children's progress in relation to their starting points. Observations and assessments are ongoing and information is used to plan for the next steps for children taking into account their abilities, likes and dislikes. The indoor and outside environments are set up for children's learning. This allows children lots of

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and outcomes for children

free choice of activities and a wide range of resources. The childminder has systems in place to ensure all areas of learning are covered for all children on a daily basis.

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and outcomes for children

Good, warm and caring relationships between the childminder and the children are evident. Children feel good about themselves as the childminder frequently offers positive support, praise and encouragement. This helps to build children's confidence and self-esteem. Children are beginning to understand boundaries, rules and limits and to understand why they exist. They are learning to use their manners and are encouraged to share and take turns. Children follow house rules and show a strong sense of security and feel safe within the setting. The house rules are displayed in a picture format to help children understand what they mean. Children learn about dangers and how to keep themselves safe, routinely taking part in fire evacuation practices and learning to cross the road safely.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes children's health well by taking a range of positive steps to encourage healthy eating and to help them understand the importance of regular exercise. Their meals are freshly prepared using wholesome ingredients and the childminder is fully aware of dietary needs. However, she is not aware of her responsibilities around food hygiene legislation regarding registering with the Local Authority Environmental Health Department. Meal times are social occasions where children benefit, learn good social skills and appropriate table manners. Their independence is promoted as they help themselves to drinks as they become thirsty. Children are starting to develop an understanding of healthy lifestyles. They soon become aware of the hand-washing routines as they follow the appropriate practices. Children have their own colour coded towel and face flannel to prevent the risk of cross infection. They are encouraged to play outside, taken

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and outcomes for children

for walks or visit the local parks so they feel the benefits of fresh air and exercise.

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and outcomes for children

As children play with the interactive toys they are learning the basic skills around the exploration of technology. For example, the younger children quickly recognise that if they pat a toy dog on its head the dog will 'woof'. The younger children enjoy painting and are learning about the different textures as they feel the paint on their hands. Children learn to problem solve as they complete the wooden This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 jigsaw puzzles. They also find out about shape and size as they try to build with the stacking beakers. Older children demonstrate a caring attitude as they play with the dolls. 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 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: 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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