Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 252566 Inspection date 02/03/2011 Inspector Alison Putnar

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1989. She lives with her husband and two adult children in the Netherfield area of Nottingham. The home is within walking distance of all local amenities including shops, schools and parks. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with bathroom and sleeping facilities within this area. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family keep two dogs as pets.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. Within the Early Years age range there are six children currently attending. All children attend on a part- time basis, six older children also attend. The childminder has a vehicle available to transport children to and from school and to take them on outings. The childminder is also a day carer with the local authority, supporting local families. She is the secretary of the local childminding group and runs the local toy library and parent and toddler group. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

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 and other professionals involved in children's lives, ensuring continuity in children's care and learning. 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 health and safety is generally protected through some secure practices. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude and ability to maintain continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 ensure a current first aid certificate is maintained (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 01/04/2011

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 update the risk assessments for the home and include pets, take action to reduce potential hazards such as the storage of pushchairs and vacuum cleaner enabling children to have easier access to the toys and resources and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensuring that evacuation routes are kept clear  make more use of the next steps for children's progress to plan further activities to help children reach their full potential  improve hygiene methods with regard to pet hairs to ensure children's health is more effectively maintained.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a suitable understanding of local safeguarding board procedures to ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of any concerns arising about children's safety and welfare. The childminder supervises children well to ensure they remain safe. Risk assessments are in place and include general details about the home and trips out. However, some issues have been overlooked including the family dogs and storage of household items such as the vacuum cleaner and pushchairs, which adversely impacts on space available to play and potentially restricts fire evacuation routes. A homely environment is provided, children have adequate space to play and can freely select from some toys and books stored at accessible heights.

p.5

the early years provision

Daily routines are well organised to meet the needs of the young children. Time is created for children to play, eat and rest in the home and to explore wider experiences through trips out in the local area and through attending local groups. The childminder observes children during their play and records aspects of their progress. She has begun to consider next steps for children to work towards to help them build on the skills they already have and now needs to link this more closely to planning activities to help children reach these next steps. The young children make good progress as they access a range of worthwhile play activities. 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

p.5

the early years provision

developmental progress. The childminder actively seeks parents' feedback through questionnaires. These include positive comments about the care and activities she provides. Along with parents, the childminder works closely with other professionals such as speech and language therapists to ensure all work together to consistently help children make progress in their development.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to providing a good service. Recommendations raised at the last inspection have been addressed generally well, risk assessments are now completed to a satisfactory degree and improved systems are in place for supporting children's developmental progress. The childminder attends a good variety of training courses to keep abreast of changes and enhance her skills. These include aspects of play, supporting children's communication skills through using signs and symbols and aspects of health and safety. The childminders' first aid certificate has recently expired, although she is booked onto a course to renew this. The childminder seeks and takes on board advice from relevant professionals including other registered childminders at network meetings. The childminder has completed a self-evaluation highlighting This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

the early years provision

strengths and relevant areas for development. As a result, she has improved the range of healthy snacks provided for children and improved communication systems with parents, thus evidencing a strong ability to continuously improve.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time playing and make good progress in learning during the activities they encounter. The childminder recognises the importance of supporting children's communication skills. She engages in play and conversations with them, repeating words correctly to help young ones with their pronunciation. She is beginning to use simple sign language to assist children in communicating, for example, children copy the sign for orange at snack time. Books are used well as a tool to support language development and to encourage children's interest for future reading skills. The childminder ensures that each child receives a good level of attention which is evident when two climb onto her knee to share a book together. The young children are developing good personal, social and emotional skills. Together with the childminder they play a boxed game and understand the need to take turns. The childminder sensitively helps children to understand the

p.6

and outcomes for children

consequence of their behaviour towards others, for example, a young baby is gently reminded to not bite a sibling and is successfully distracted with toys, the child responds well to this support. 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.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children begin to address there own personal care needs, such as toilet training, as they are effectively supported by the childminder. These routines are also used to help children learn about good hygiene practices, as they are encouraged to wash their hands after using the potty and before eating. Hygiene routines are less well considered in relation to the family pets. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure she can cater for dietary needs and provides meals and snacks that promote a healthy balanced diet. The childminder ensures children have opportunities to benefit from fresh air and exercise. They often walk out in the local community and visit the park and in good weather they use the garden to extend their enjoyment and physical skills as they play on the bikes. 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.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are confident and settled with childminder. This enables them to voice their needs, such as asking for snacks and drinks or for other toys. Craft activities are provided; these encourage children to practise using single-handed tools such as crayons and glue sticks, developing control needed for future writing skills. Children's imagination is appropriately supported as they play with small world toys such as cars, animals and building blocks. They enjoy singing songs with the childminder and some join in using actions or attempting words. Young ones develop their mathematical skills as they count objects, such as the grapes at snack time and talk about size when trying on each others shoes. All children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encouraged to access all toys and resources as the childminder actively promotes equality. They begin to explore their local community during trips out and take part

p.6

and outcomes for children

in a variety of activities for a range of different cultural festivals at the local childminders group. Here children make cards for Chinese New Year and make pancakes on Pancake Day. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.8

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.8

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 ensure an appropriate first aid certificate is maintained (Welfare of the children being cared for) 01/04/2011

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the childcare register section of the report(Welfare of the children being cared for) 01/04/2011

p.9