Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 252399 Inspection date 25/02/2011 Inspector Patricia King

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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 1987. She lives with her husband in Chilwell, Beeston which is situated in Nottinghamshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers to care for children aged over five to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities or children with English as an additional language are supported.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local childminding group and takes children to the park. The family has three pet cats.

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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

This childminder fosters strong working relationships with parents providing them with good information about her service and their child's care and learning. She is well prepared to work closely any other providers or agencies working with children to promote continuity of care and development. The childminder takes care to find out all the necessary details to meet children's individual needs, consequently, she knows them well. She organises her home and daily routines effectively to ensure that children are safe, secure and offered stimulating and varied activities across all areas of learning and development, both indoors and in the outdoor environment. Children are happy, settled and confident in her care which means they make good progress overall. Systems to evaluate strengths and weaknesses are in place and the childminder is aware of her strengths and weaknesses.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems in place to ensure self-evaluation is used effectively to drive and secure ongoing improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and knows how to report any concerns, consequently, children are safeguarded effectively. She promotes children's safety by undertaking robust risk assessments of her premises and any outings and by maintaining close supervision at all times. A comprehensive and detailed range of written policies and procedures is in place to promote children's health, safety and welfare. Parents are provided with copies of this important information. All necessary records are maintained and parents receive written and verbal feedback of the children's daily care and learning journey. The childminder has formed strong partnerships with parents who feed back their comments that they feel fully informed and included at all times. She has established effective partnerships with other providers, such as, local schools and agencies working with children. This promotes continuity of care which

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the early years provision

supports children's overall development and progress.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established efficient systems to sensitively observe and assess what children can do and uses the information gathered to plan effectively for children's next steps. She gives careful consideration to the inclusion of all children and effectively organises activities and learning opportunities so that they are fully enabled to participate safely and confidently. She is committed to personal development and attends relevant training to support her services. The childminder has made the recommended improvements from the previous inspection and has systems in place to recognise strengths and weaknesses in her performance.

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and outcomes for children

This childminder has arranged her home to provide a safe, secure, learning environment for children where toys, activities and resources are kept within their easy reach to promote independence and choice. She has a good understanding of how children learn through their play and offers creative and challenging opportunities to capture their interest and involvement. Children develop a sense of belonging and build positive relationships with this childminder and her family. Consequently, they feel confident to express themselves, for example, seek a comforting cuddle or favourite story.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and welfare are effectively promoted because the childminder is a good role model and helps children learn through daily routines. For example, children are learning why careful hand washing after using the toilet and before handling or eating food is important to their good health. She talks to them about healthy eating and provides practical activities to promote their awareness, such as, growing fruit and vegetables and cooking the produce they gather.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well and they are developing a clear understanding of what is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 right and wrong. They are learning to share, take turns, show care and concern for each other and keep sensible house rules agreed for their personal safety and well- being indoors and outside. They are learning to be safe as they practise road safety on outings and talk about stranger awareness.

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and outcomes for children

Children have many opportunities to use their imagination and creativity as they make models and pictures. They enjoy using the good range of books enthusiastically contributing to a familiar story shared with their peers. The childminder provides a varied and well-planned programme of activities and uses local resources to extend children's learning opportunities through practical experience. For example, they visited the local garden centre to select and purchase spring plants. The childminder ensured the opportunity was seized to promote children's awareness to safety and the world around them as they walked to the centre. They regularly visit parks, libraries, childcare groups and places of interest where they find out about the world in which they live and their place in it. Records of activities show they are exploring and sharing experiences of their own and other lifestyles which means they are learning to respect and value

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and outcomes for children

differences. For example, they tasted different fruits and food to learn about different diets, customs and important events in the lives of others in the wider world. They learn that others are not so fortunate and engage in fund raising activities, such as, Children in Need and Red Nose day. The childminder uses all opportunities well to promote learning across the curriculum. For example, they use their senses, skills and imagination to experiment, explore and learn about magnets, ice and mark making with different materials and tools.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has established effective systems to observe and assess children at play and the information gathered is used efficiently to plan for children's next steps in their learning. She skilfully offers appropriate challenge or support where needed for individual children to progress according to their individual capabilities. This gives children positive sense of achievement and self-esteem which means they become confident learners. 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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