Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY408912 Inspection date 10/11/2010 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 children in a small town to the south of Nottingham. The home is within walking distance of local facilities including shops, parks, schools and library. The whole of the property is used for childminding purposes with toilet and sleeping facilities situated on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for one child in the early years range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The family has chickens which are kept in a secure run in the garden. The childminder walks to the local preschool to take and collect children and regularly attends the local parent and toddler 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

A child-friendly environment is created to ensure all children are included and enjoy their time with the childminder. Children show suitable levels of self-esteem because the childminder knows them well and values them as individuals. The childminder has developed a very 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. All 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 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.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder understands her role to protect them from harm. The childminder has a sound knowledge of safeguarding issues. She has a written detailed statement of the procedures to follow if she was concerned about a child. Parents are reassured because the childminder provides information This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about how she is registered, about vetting arrangements for herself and other household members over 16, and about her experience and training. The childminder demonstrates ambition, vision and drive to develop the provision further. She has started to develop a system of self-evaluation and is effectively reflecting on her practice. Identifying strengths and areas for development to maintain continuous improvement within her service. For example, she has recently designed a parent questionnaire to gain parents views about her

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the early years provision

provision. The childminder attends regular training to continually improve her own knowledge and understanding around caring for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively maintains all her records with policies and procedures in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all children. Confidentiality is maintained and documents are kept secure and are organised well. Systems are in place to review all policies and procedures to ensure they are kept up to date with current guidance. Detailed risk assessments for the home and all outings undertaken are in place and the childminder is fully aware of how to eliminate risks to children. The childminder has made her home safe and has sound systems in place to fully protect children. Through sensitive discussions she helps young children to understand ways to minimise their risk of harm. For example, they practise the emergency evacuation procedures to raise their awareness of what to do in the event of a fire. Resources are readily available for the children and they are able to make their own choices about what they would like to do and play

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the early years provision

with. This practice promotes their independence. The childminder ensures she can supervise the children at all times.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare needs are met and they achieve as well as they can because the childminder adapts activities to ensure their participation. The childminder has appropriate systems to monitor children's progress in relation to their starting points. Observations and assessments are ongoing and information is used to plan the next steps for children, taking into account their abilities, likes and dislikes. The childminder has a sound understanding of working in partnership with others.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops positive relationships with parents and children and this contributes to inclusion, meeting their needs consistently and providing continuity of care. Parents express their appreciation with the care their children receive through discussion and parental questionnaires. At the start of the placement the parents are provided with information which includes all the childminder's policies and procedures. This ensures parents are fully aware of the childminder's practice. Parents are kept informed about their child's activities through verbal discussions, daily diaries and the sharing of their development files. The childminder treats all children equally, but is very aware of their individual needs and levels of understanding. She talks to parents to ensure she has a sound knowledge of each child's background and needs. The childminder makes the most of diversity to help children understand the society they live in.

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the early years provision

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 learning and development and welfare requirements to promote children's learning and care. She has a good understanding of how children learn through play and how they develop. The indoor and outside environments are set up for children's learning with play areas which allow children lots of free choice of activities and resources. The childminder is very warm and welcoming to the children, thus providing a safe emotional environment where children feel safe and secure. Activities are planned based on the observations and assessments of the individual children. When children are sleeping the childminder checks them at regular intervals and keeps them close by to ensure constant supervision. Children are taught about safety issues as part of the daily routine. For example, when out and about in the local community they learn about road safety. Children are well behaved and are being encouraged to

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and outcomes for children

The good health and well-being of children is positively encouraged. All meals and snacks are provided by the childminder and she demonstrates a good understanding of healthy eating. However, she is not aware of the need to register with the Food Standards Agency. All meals are home cooked from fresh, mostly home grown vegetables. Children are encouraged to follow suitable hygiene routines to prevent the risk of cross-infection. They are taken out for daily walks to parks or soft play centres, so they feel the benefits of fresh air and exercise.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn good manners as the childminder encourages the use of them through role modelling. For example, by using 'please' and 'thank you'. When the childminder praises the children they respond well to this and benefit as this practice raises their self-esteem. Children enjoy playing and display lots of excitement when they try to knock down a tower of stacking beakers. Younger children enjoy crawling around and pulling themselves up to a standing position. They enjoy using the push-along walker as they practise their walking skills, and wait for the childminder to help them turn the walker around. Children display excitement as they press buttons on the interactive toys to make different sounds. Children learn to communicate as they become aware that the childminder responds to their sounds and they are encouraged to wave 'bye bye'. As young children play with the interactive or reward toys they are learning the basic skills

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and outcomes for children

around the exploration of technology. 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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