Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 252982 Inspection date 08/11/2010 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 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 2000. She lives with her husband and three children all aged over eight years old, in West Bridgford, Nottingham. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor, with toilet facilities available on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years at any one time. There are currently six children in the early year age range attending, and two older children. The childminder regularly attends the local childminding support group.

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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

The childminder builds secure relationships with parents and children to ensure that individual needs are met. Communication with other settings the children attend, such as local schools and pre-schools are excellent and provide continuity in children's development and welfare. Children make good progress in their learning as they access a varied and stimulating range of activities. Methods for recording and tracking children's progress are developing well. The childminder effectively ensures that children are safe and that their welfare is protected. She reviews her service through systematic methods of self-evaluation, continually bringing about improvements to benefit the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 highlight next steps for development for each child, from all six areas of learning, and link these into planned activities, helping children to reach their full potential, with particular regard to the younger children  extend opportunities for parents to contribute to deciding next steps for children to work towards, further promoting continuity in children's learning experiences.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded through secure practices. The childminder is knowledgeable about child protection issues and confidently describes appropriate procedures to follow, should she have concerns for children's welfare. The childminder maintains a clean and safe environment. She creates homely, welcoming areas where children can feel safe and relaxed. Written This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures and policies that guide her practice are provided for parents, promoting a shared sense of responsibility to keep children safe and healthy. For example, parents respect the exclusion periods if their children are ill, following the sick child policy, and thus reducing any potential spread of illness. Household members are appropriately vetted and children are supervised well to maintain their safety. Comprehensive risk assessments are conducted for the home, trips and outings, to

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the early years provision

further reduce the likelihood of accidents. Space is used effectively in the home to accommodate individual needs. Children continue to play actively in the front room while others sleep peacefully in the back room. Access to outdoor play in the secure garden is provided to offer physical play and fresh air.

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the early years provision

Routines are organised well to meet the needs of all children and promote an inclusive service. For example, a younger child has a later lunch taking account of individual sleep times. Children benefit from time to play in the childminder's home, garden and at local community groups. The childminder plans and provides a wide and interesting range of activities that help children learn whilst enjoying their play. Themes are used to incorporate different areas of learning, and provide good opportunities for children to explore their local community and form positive images of the wider world. Records of individual's progress are kept; these include photographs, written observations and examples of individual's art work. The childminder is beginning to highlight next steps for children to work towards to help them reach their full potential. She establishes supportive and trusting relationships with the children and their parents. This ensures that relevant

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the early years provision

information is shared openly enabling her to cater for individual and diverse needs. Discussions and written diaries keep parents well informed about daily events. Children's progress records are periodically shared, although, systems for involving parents in deciding next steps for children to work towards are less well established. Highly effective communication with professionals at other settings the children attend means that all are working together exceptionally well to support individuals' needs. For example, the childminder attends information evenings at the local school to better support children in learning phonics. She supports younger children with their letter and number of the week, following discussion with pre-school staff about their topics.

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the early years provision

The childminder presents a strong commitment and positive attitude to developing her skills, knowledge and the provision to benefit the children further. This is evident through the range of courses and training events she attends. These include aspects of child development and health and safety issues. She constantly strives to improve, seeking and taking on board advice from relevant professionals and other childminding colleagues. Self -assessments indicate that she is moving forwards and continually improving. She is addressing issues raised at the last inspection, and keeping abreast of changes, such as the requirement to register with the Food Standards Agency. Through questionnaires the childminder actively seeks feedback from parents in order to bring about positive changes. Letters from parents using the setting show that they are very happy with the care and range of activities provided. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

In the childminder's home children have opportunities to freely access resources and make choices in play; this fosters their enjoyment and interest. Children choose their favourite toys and revisit familiar skills such as using their imagination when playing with the dolls, vehicles and farm animals. During the themed activities children make good progress in development through the range of play experiences they encounter. They develop their knowledge and understanding of the world as they visit a garden centre to buy seeds, plant and care for their sunflowers and develop mathematical skills as they compare the height of their flowers to themselves. Children's creativity is supported as they go out with the childminder to explore autumnal changes in the environment, collecting leaves and making collage pictures upon their return home.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder gets involved in children's play. Her interaction effectively supports the young children's language skills as they thrive in this language rich environment. They hear and repeat words used and are encouraged to speak when responding to simple questions. The childminder uses the library to obtain a range of reading material to support children's developing interest in books. The children enjoy listening to stories and older ones talk about the pictures supporting their early reading skills. A range of craft materials including crayons, scissors and brushes are provided for children to develop the hand control needed for their future writing skills. Some children recognise familiar letters as they find their name card upon arrival. Visits to local playgroups and to meet other childminders enables children to develop their social skills as they mix and play with others of a similar age. Children behave well and are confident in the setting. Good

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and outcomes for children

relationships are clearly evident between the childminder and children, young ones enjoy the physical comfort as they snuggle up to the childminder to share a book on the settee.

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and outcomes for children

Good consideration is given to promoting children's health and safety. All benefit from frequent opportunities to be active and gain fresh air, during walks at school collection times, visits to the park and using the childminder's garden. As well as developing physical skills when using the wheeled toys, climbing equipment and balls, and the childminder skilfully introduces other learning experiences. For example, children practise writing skills for later in life as they use paint brushes to make marks with water on the patio. They explore aspects of nature and develop knowledge of the world as they grow flowers and vegetables. Throughout these activities and during her themes the childminder seizes opportunities to help children to consider safety. For example, they talk about road safety during trips out, and fire safety at Bonfire night and during a visit to the fire station. During general activities children are sensitively reminded of safe practices, such as

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and outcomes for children

picking up toys from the floor to prevent injuries if they are stepped on, or through supervision when using the stairs to visit the bathroom. During daily routines children show their understanding of healthy practices as they know they need to wash their hands before meals. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that dietary and medical needs are accommodated. Children enjoy healthy snacks of fresh fruits and a home cooked lunch including fresh vegetables. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Refreshments are readily available ensuring children remain well-hydrated. 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 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 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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