Childminder in Nottingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 254861 Inspection date 14/03/2011 Inspector Karen Cooper

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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 1993. She lives in a semi-detached house with her husband and two older children, in the Heathfield area of Nottingham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family pets include a dog, hamster, cockatiel and fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently minding five children, of whom four are within the early years age range. All of the children except for one, attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to take and collect children from the local school.

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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 happy and settled and have formed good relationships with the childminder and her family. The playroom offers a good variety of age appropriate toys and resources to support children's learning and development. The childminder ensures that all children are valued and included. Strong links have been established with parents and other practitioners to ensure children's needs are well met. Policies and procedures are mostly effective. The childminder is committed to developing and improving her practice and demonstrates a positive attitude towards continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure risk assessments cover the whole of the premises. (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 29/03/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain a copy of the incubation period for infectious and reportable diseases and share information with parents. 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 knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and has attended safeguard training to ensure her knowledge and skills are up to date. She knows the appropriate procedure to follow should she have a concern about a child in her care and ensures the safeguarding policy is shared with parents. This ensures children's welfare is fully protected. There are clear and robust vetting procedures in place to ensure other adults within the household have been suitably checked. Indoor and outdoor space is well organised, creating a child-friendly environment. This enables children to develop their independence while being appropriately supervised. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to keep children safe and regularly carries out visual checks on her home. However, the risk assessment record which covers all outings undertaken with the children does not include the whole of the childminders home

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the early years provision

to ensure children safety is fully protected.

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the early years provision

The childminder attends training to ensure her knowledge and skills are up to date including first aid, food hygiene and Early Years Foundation Stage. She clearly demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and has completed the Ofsted on-line self-evaluation form to help her identify areas of strengths and weaknesses. The childminder is welcoming to all children and their families and works well in partnership, sharing information regularly with parents to maintain a two-way flow of information. Relationships are friendly and trusting, this helps ensure children are settled and secure. The childminder places great value in ensuring that parents develop a sense of belonging to the setting and have a say in the care and well-being of their children. She seeks parental opinions and input on a regular basis to enable her to monitor and develop the service provided. Parents speak highly of the childminder and one comment in particular echoes the

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the early years provision

overall sentiments received, 'the childminder's ethics echo my own'. Parents are issued with a variety of clearly written policies covering all aspects of the childminding service provided.

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the early years provision

Documentation is well organised and stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality is maintained. The childminder is aware of the benefits of establishing and maintaining positive links with other professionals involved in the care and education of the children. She has formed positive links with the local school, pre- school and other childminders to ensure children needs are effectively met.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a welcoming and stimulating environment where they are encouraged to make good progress in their learning and development. The playroom is very inviting and posters and pictures displayed around the room provide children with a sense of belonging. The childminders knowledge of each child's preferences ensures that their individual needs and are well met. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder ensures that children learn to show consideration for others, to share and to be kind to each other. She encourages children to always feel good about themselves by praising them for their behaviour and efforts. She plans a range of interesting activities and regularly carries out observations on the children's progress. Information is well presented in individual folders and shared with parents to ensure they are fully informed of their child's progress and

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and outcomes for children

Children have formed positive relationships with the childminder and are relaxed and settled. This enables them to make good progress in their personal, social and emotional development. Children are keen to use their imagination in role play and enjoy pushing the dolls in pushchairs around the available space and bushing the dolls hair. Children develop their simple problem solving skills as they manuover beads around an abacus, build with bricks, count cars and regularly join in number rhymes. Plenty of opportunities are provided for children to develop their creative skills through a range of craft activities, such as painting, printing, play dough, collage, baking and aqua painting. Children have access to a variety of books, paper and crayons to develop their early literacy and mark making skills and are beginning to understand simple sign language. Children learn about the environment and have planted seeds and watched as they grow. Children also

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and outcomes for children

benefit from a variety of activities outside the childminder's home. For example, they frequently go for walks around the local community and attend the local library, park and toddler groups where they are provided with plenty of opportunities to socialise with their peers. Children are learning to respect each other and have access to a variety of resources that help raise their awareness of diversity.

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and outcomes for children

Through activities and daily routines children become aware of healthy eating and good hygiene practices. Their individual dietary needs are established on admission and food provided by parents is stored appropriately. Children are reminded to wash their hands before eating and liquid soap and wipes are provided to ensure the risk of cross-contamination is reduced. Children are well cared for if they have an accident and there are effective procedures in place to protect them from illness. However, the sickness and exclusion policy does not clearly state the incubation times for some illnesses or identify reportable diseases, in order to fully inform parents. Children develop their physical skills through a range of outdoor activities. They have access to the garden on a regular basis where they benefit from a good range of toys and equipment which help to foster their good health. 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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