Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 252406 Inspection date 10/02/2011 Inspector Alison Edwards

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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

This childminder registered in 1988. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in a house in the suburbs of Nottingham. Minded children are based in the ground floor of the house, with access to the first floor as needed. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years, including three in the early years age range. There are currently seven children under the age of eight on roll, including four in the early years age range. The childminder is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register to care for older children.

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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

Children are confident and enthusiastic in this very welcoming and stimulating family home, so helping them to make good progress in all areas of their development. The childminder has a good understanding of each child's background and needs, and takes effective steps to help all children learn about the society in which they live. Well-organised records and policies are generally used effectively to underpin children's care and welfare. The experienced childminder continues to review and update her existing skills in order to further improve the existing high quality of provision for all children.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 seek written parental permission to obtain any necessary emergency medical treatment or advice in the future (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 24/02/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 explore ways to more systematically and effectively involve parents in the regular review of children's progress and planning for the next steps in their learning.

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the early years provision

Children are cared for in a very welcoming and well-organised family home, where available space and resources are used extremely well to promote their care and development. There is an excellent range of well-presented play materials freely This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 available to children, helping to promote their purposeful and independent learning across all areas of development. The childminder carries out systematic and thorough risk assessments, and offers consistently good levels of supervision, so enabling children to safely develop high levels of independence and responsibility, for example as they use small tools, such as, scissors, or as they contribute to household routines such as preparing meals and snacks. The childminder ensures that her comprehensive policies are shared with parents. This establishes a good shared understanding of issues, such as, the management of potential

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the early years provision

emergencies, for example, a fire or a child going missing. It also ensures that there is a shared recognition of the childminder's responsibilities in the event of any concerns or allegations relating to abuse. The childminder maintains current qualifications relating to paediatric first aid and to food hygiene, underpinning her abilities to manage many aspects of children's health and safety. Required records are generally methodically maintained to underpin the effective management of most aspects of children's care. These include information relating to individual children's personal, contact and care details, and arrangements for the childminder's administration of medication or treatment of accidents. However, the childminder does not yet seek parental written consent to obtain medical advice or treatment for children in the event of an emergency. This does not fully support her ability to act as promptly as possible in children's best interests in any such

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the early years provision

The childminder seeks information from parents to ensure that she has a good understanding of each child's initial circumstances, needs and interests. She makes good use of ongoing discussion, and written information such as diaries, to share ongoing information about events and experiences in children's lives, and about some aspects of their changing abilities. Parents already receive their child's detailed developmental records when they leave the childminder, and are able to view these at any time they wish to do so. However, the childminder has not yet fully explored ways to more actively and systematically involve parents in reviewing children's progress and planning for the next steps in their learning. The childminder has established links with other early years settings, such as, reception classes, to help promote continuity in children's care and learning. She recognises the value of working with other agencies to support the inclusion of any children

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the early years provision

with identified special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder has taken good steps to address the recommendations made at her previous inspection, by establishing an annual review of contractual arrangements with parents, and by providing a wide range of practical play and first hand experiences to help children build on their natural curiosity. She systematically reviews her childcare arrangements, ensuring that she has a generally good overview of the effectiveness of her practice in meeting the overarching requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder continues to make use of available local training to update her skills and knowledge, for example, through attendance at workshops relating to promoting children's personal and social skills and to increasing her awareness of aspects of different cultures and lifestyles. Consequently, she demonstrates an ongoing commitment to the further development of her existing good practice.

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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

Overall, there are effective arrangements to promote children's health and safety. The childminder helps children develop a healthy lifestyle. She extends children's spontaneous pretend play by encouraging them to talk about healthy options as they create 'meals' from a varied selection of play foods. She takes careful account of individual dietary requirements, family routines and preferences, when planning and providing nutritious meals and snacks. Children are confident and competent when washing their hands thoroughly after toileting or before eating. They enjoy a varied range of indoor and outdoor activities helping to extend their movement skills, for example as they scramble through play tunnels or balance on rope bridges. Children readily develop good levels of dexterity, for example as they confidently use a varied range of musical instruments, or as they use scissors with increasing control. From an early age, children have independent access to a

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and outcomes for children

stimulating range of creative and mark-making materials, enabling them to develop high levels of dexterity as they paint, draw or cut. The childminder helps children to learn about aspects of safety in their play and routines, for example talking with them about road safety and using stories and pretend play linked to issues such as fire safety.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder knows each child well, helping her to take good account of individual concerns or family circumstances, such as, a dislike of unexpected loud noises, or the birth of a new sibling. As a result, children know that they are recognised and valued as individuals, helping them to feel secure and relaxed in the childminder's care. Consequently, children readily build good relationships with others, and show high levels of interest and enjoyment in their play. For example, a toddler shows pleasure and excitement on the arrival of another minded child, before the two quickly and spontaneously develop a game of hide and seek with each other. Excellent use of resources helps children to develop high levels of purposeful independence and responsibility, from an early age. For example, toddlers show spontaneous and sustained interest in their careful use of a very varied range of freely accessible crayons, paint markers and roller-balls. They

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and outcomes for children

contribute to preparing meals and snacks, for example by helping to make their own sandwiches, or by spontaneously fetching plastic cutlery and plates to lay the table. The childminder incorporates use of a wide range of good quality play materials, such as, puzzles, books and play people reflecting many aspects of individual and cultural differences, so helping children to recognise and respect diversity.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes effective use of well-captioned photographs and dated notes, to keep a clear track of each child's changing abilities across all areas of development. She uses these to identify and plan for the next steps in their learning. This ensures that children benefit from a stimulating range of activities and experiences helping them to progress well and to establish a good basis for their future skills. For example, younger toddlers enjoy finding out how 'cause and effect' toys work, whilst older children develop confident interest in using simple computer programs, so helping to extend their awareness of everyday technology. Children across the age range enjoy many first hand experiences helping them to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 explore the natural world. For example, they enjoy the sounds, colours and textures when 'scrunching' through autumn leaves. They use magnifying glasses to

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and outcomes for children

observe the similarities and differences between a variety of 'mini-beasts'; they sow sunflower seeds in pots, or grow strawberries in hanging baskets, helping them learn about natural cycles of growth. Children develop good practical awareness of shape and space as they fit straight and curved track pieces together to create a rail layout. They develop their problem-solving skills in practical play, for example as the childminder extends their interest in play foods by talking with them about whether there is 'enough' or 'how many more' they will need. The childminder promotes children's interest in books and stories well. She encourages their independent use of tactile or 'lift the flap' books from an early age. She links children's spontaneous interests to familiar favourites, for example, extending a toddler's comments about a caterpillar to simple conversation about 'The Hungry Caterpillar'. The childminder promotes children's early awareness of sounds, for

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and outcomes for children

example as a toddler begins to purposefully search for 'his' letter when playing with plastic letter shapes. The childminder successfully engages children's interest in creative play, for example as boys show sustained purpose in preparing pretend meals and drinks. Children show great pleasure in creating different sounds and rhythms with an intriguing range of untuned percussion instruments, made of various natural materials. They thoroughly enjoy expressing their own creative ideas as they use a wide and very well presented range of mark-making materials. 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 exceptiona lly 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 1 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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