Childminder, Out-of school day care in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 252936 Inspection date 28/01/2011 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 registered in 1990. She lives with her two adult children in the West Bridgford area of Nottingham. The property is within walking distance of local amenities such as parks, schools and shops. Minded children have access to the rooms on the ground floor for play and sleeping, toilet facilities are provided on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years old at any one time. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently three children on roll; all are within the Early Years age range.

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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 demonstrates a strong commitment to ensuring each child's needs are met. She communicates well with parents, gathering all relevant information and provides a flexible service that caters for individual needs. Methods for monitoring and planning for children's development are established and generally effective. As a result children make good progress through the variety of play opportunities provided. Children's safety is protected through secure practices. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude and ability to maintain continuous improvement.

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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 children's progress from each of the six areas of learning to help children reach their full potential  develop systems to liaise with other settings children attend, as they move on in their education, to provide greater continuity in supporting individual's development.

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the early years provision

Children's safety and welfare is well maintained in the setting. The childminder has a clear understanding of procedures for reporting child protection issues should the need arise. She has developed a range of written policies and procedures to guide her practice. These are shown to parents promoting a shared sense of responsibility in keeping children safe and healthy, also enabling parents to feel confident in the childminder's good practices. The childminder has a very sensible attitude to promoting safety in the home; equipment such as stair gates are used to further reduce the likelihood of accidents. Written risk assessments are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 completed for the home and outings to identify potential hazards and action is taken to address any issues. The childminder checks all areas before children arrive to ensure the home is safe and suitable. Household members are

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the early years provision

appropriately vetted ensuring their suitability to be around children.

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the early years provision

The home is organised well to meet the needs of the young children. A welcoming environment is provided where children can play, eat and relax in comfort. The childminder establishes supportive and trusting relationships with the children and their parents. This ensures that relevant information is shared openly, enabling her to cater for individual needs. Through good methods of communication, information is shared about the children's day and their developmental progress. Letters from parents using the setting, evidence that they value the childminder's skills and are very happy with the care and support provided. Written observation and assessment records are progressing well. The childminder is beginning to consider next steps for individual's learning to help children build on the skills they already have. The young children make good progress as they access a range of worthwhile play activities in the childminder's home, at local groups and during

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to maintaining a good service. Recommendations raised at the last inspection have been fully addressed ensuring all required documents are in place. The childminder attends a good variety of training courses to keep abreast of changes and enhance her skills in keeping children safe and supporting their development. She seeks and takes on board advice from relevant professionals, including other registered childminders. The childminder values parents' views as she asks for their feedback as a tool to ensure the setting continues to meet both parents and children's needs. The childminder highlights strengths and relevant areas for development when completing her self- evaluation; consequently she identified the need to work more closely with other settings such as local playgroups, as children move on in their education. The childminder now needs to implement these ideas to benefit the children fully.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time as they are encouraged to make choices in play. A range of activities are set out for children in the lounge and children help themselves to those that interest them. They are also able to choose from other toys stored elsewhere with the childminder's support. Toys are rotated frequently to offer greater variety; consequently children are active and involved. They make good progress through the range of activities they access. The childminder observes and records the progress children make during play. She is beginning to highlight some next steps for children's development which she supports through further activities, the system does not yet fully show how children make progress in all six areas equally. Children settle well and benefit from the childminder's friendly nature. She makes good use of her time, ensuring all the children receive equal and individual attention at times. While one is busy making a sticky picture she

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and outcomes for children

shares a book with another helping them to settle ready for sleep time. The good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 organisation of the home means the childminder can supervise all children to maintain their safety, whilst sometimes letting them play independently, exploring and investigating at their own pace.

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and outcomes for children

All children are encouraged to access all toys and resources as the childminder actively promotes equality. Boys and girls play alongside each other at the play kitchen developing their imagination as they pretend to make drinks and food. A younger one shows a developing understanding of technology showing delight when pressing buttons and waiting for the light and sound reaction on a toy cooker. Children explore issues of the wider world through trips out and during activities for a range of festivals and celebrations. These include many craft activities creating spiders for Halloween, lanterns at Chinese New Year or cards for Mothers Day. The craft activities provide good opportunities for children to experiment using single handed tools, such as, glue spreaders and crayons to enhance their small physical skills needed for future writing. Singing times are also used as an effective tool to introduce new skills, such as, language and counting

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and outcomes for children

skills. The children join in with actions or verbally, depending on their level of ability.

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and outcomes for children

The young children are developing good personal, social and emotional skills. Some play cooperatively, whilst others are learning to share and take turns, appropriate to their stage of development. The childminder sensitively helps children to understand the consequence of their behaviour on others, children are encouraged to apologise if they have upset their friends. Those with developed language skills are very polite. Children increase their confidence and extend their social skills as they mix with others of a similar age at the local childminder's group, here they also experience larger group care situations, in preparation for pre-school or school. Children begin to address there own personal care needs as they are effectively supported by the childminder. A young child follows the good hygiene routines commenting 'wash hands' after using the potty. Children's health is well supported in the setting. The home is very clean and tidy and snacks and

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and outcomes for children

refreshments are readily available and nutritious. The childminder ensures children gain fresh air and exercise daily. As the garden is not currently in use she makes use of walks in the local area, trips to local parks or to feed the ducks and visits to local soft play areas. These provide good opportunities for children to develop physical skills along with the music and movement sessions provided in the home. Outdoor activities are also used to help children consider safe practices, such as crossing roads safely together and learning to use equipment such as the swings and slide 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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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 3 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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