Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 253001 Inspection date 31/01/2011 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 1996. She lives with her husband and their two adult children in a detached property in the West Bridgford area of Nottingham. There is easy access to local amenities such as a park, schools and shops. Minded children are cared for on the ground floor of the house, using the playroom, lounge, kitchen and toilet facilities. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have five cats as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for four 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 four children on roll; all are within the Early Years age range. Children attend on a part-time basis. 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

The childminder creates a homely and inclusive environment in which all children are equally well cared for and have opportunities to succeed. Systems of monitoring children's progress are developing well. Methods of communication between the childminder, parents and other settings the children attend ensure continuity in children's care. However, discussions about children's development are less well established. Good measures are in place to fully safeguard children. The childminder makes some use of self-evaluation to identify key strengths and areas for development and demonstrates a commitment to furthering her knowledge through additional training.

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further?

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

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further?

 use the observations of children's development to highlight next steps for children to work towards in each of the six areas of learning and plan some activities to help children reach their full potential  improve systems to share information about children's development with parents and other settings the children attend, to ensure all work together to provide greater continuity in supporting individuals development.

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the early years provision

The childminder is secure in her knowledge of safeguarding procedures in order to keep children safe. Efficient steps are taken to ensure all adults within the home are appropriately vetted and that toys and equipment are maintained in a clean, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safe condition. The childminder undertakes risk assessments for the home and outings so that any hazards are identified and minimised. A range of policies and procedures are in place to support the childminders' working practices. These are available for parents ensuring they are aware of her responsibilities as a registered childminder. Relevant documentation is maintained to support children's care and to ensure their needs are known. The childminder works with parents to ensure daily routines are established and followed, providing continuity in children's care. Daily discussions and written diaries are used to ensure information is shared

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the early years provision

between the childminder, parents and other settings the children attend. Although this focuses less on children's progress, potentially missing some opportunities for all to work together to help children make as much progress as possible.

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the early years provision

Daily routines are organised to provide children with opportunities to play in the home and at local community resources. As a result children make good progress through the range of activities they encounter. The childminder observes children during play and keeps records of their progress using photographs and examples of their art work. She has begun to highlight some next steps for children to work towards to further enhance their progress. The system is relatively new and as such does not yet show that children are supported to make progress in all six areas of learning equally.

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the early years provision

The childminder has begun to evaluate her provision and seeks feedback from parents highlighting areas for improvement to benefit the children, consequently she implemented a new system to track children's progress. She has met the recommendation made at the last inspection, children are now consistently encouraged to learn good hygiene practices. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to maintaining a good service. She attends a variety of training courses to keep abreast of changes and enhance her skills in keeping children safe and supporting their development.

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and outcomes for children

Children make progress and enjoy their play during their time with the childminder. Before attending, the child and their parents make visits to the childminders' home. This enables the childminder to find out about the children's interests and the children are able to begin to feel comfortable in her care. Children happily engage in play because some toys are set out for them. The childminder offers close support which helps to build younger ones confidence. The environment is well organised to meet children's needs. Resources are stored within the play room and the children are able to freely access them, enabling them to make choices and develop their independence. Together they regularly attend the local childminder's group which helps children to socialise with a wider group of friends. Here they also access a good range of craft activities to support their creative skills, whilst using a range of single handed tools to help develop the control

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and outcomes for children

needed for future writing. Trips to the local parks and shops help to build their knowledge and understanding of the wider world and visits to soft play areas create opportunities for practising and extending physical skills. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder engages in play with children supporting their language skills as she uses simple sentence structures and repeats familiar words. Together they share books as a tool to support language and listening skills for reading in the future. Children use the computer to access age appropriate activities. They learn to manipulate the mouse to complete programmes which also introduce simple mathematical concepts such as sorting shapes, counting and matching. Older ones work together to share and take turns on the computer. Behaviour is managed sensitively and consistently helping children to understand expectations for

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and outcomes for children

behaviour and the consequence of their actions. Children's personal independence is well supported. Those in the process of toilet training are able to easily access the ground floor toilet and manage their own personal hygiene. Children begin to understand about healthy lifestyles through routines of hand washing, the provision of healthy snacks and drinks and through regular opportunities for walking or playing in the fresh air. Children are supervised well to keep them safe and begin to learn about safety issues through discussions and activities with the childminder. For example, they have been on trips to the fire station, they practice crossing roads together and are encouraged to pick up toys off the floor to prevent trips and falls. 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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