Childminder, Out-of school day care in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY407452 Inspection date 30/03/2011 Inspector Diana Pidgeon

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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 2010. She lives with her husband and two children in Sutton-in-Ashfield. The ground floor of the home is used for childminding with toilet facilities on this level. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a rabbit that is kept in a hutch in the garden.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of six children under eight at any one time and currently has two children on roll, both of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder holds a recognised early years qualification.

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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 provides a welcoming and inclusive service where children are supported and valued as individuals. They take part in a wide variety of interesting and challenging practical activities, which helps them to make good progress in all areas of their development and learning. Good partnerships with parents and others ensure information is reliably exchanged and that children benefit from continuity in their care and learning. Children's health and safety is effectively promoted because the childminder effectively implements her policies and procedures and maintains all of the required documentation. The childminder is beginning to evaluate and develop the service she provides for children and demonstrates a good capacity for ongoing improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 embed the systems for observing, assessing and planning for children's future learning  develop further the use of reflective practice and self-evaluation to plan for continuous improvements.

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the early years provision

The childminder places high priority on keeping children safe. She undertakes rigorous risk assessments that lead to her identifying what precautions she puts in place to keep children safe. For example, safety gates are used to prevent access to the stairs, and toys with small parts are kept away from young children. The childminder has well-considered arrangements for outings, which ensures she is prepared for most eventualities. She has a very good understanding of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safeguarding procedures and knows what action to take if she is concerned about a child. Children's welfare is promoted through reliable record keeping, which ensures the childminder is fully aware of their individual needs. The childminder follows good hygiene practices when working with the children and this contributes to them keeping fit and healthy.

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the early years provision

The childminder creates a very welcoming home environment where a wealth of toys and activities is available for children to use. Thoughtful use of the environment ensures it retains a homely feel, whilst providing lots of opportunities for children to select toys and activities independently. The childminder provides a balanced day for the children with her planning based around their patterns of attendance and their current interests. Parents are fully informed about what the children do through a planning chart that is displayed and also through daily diaries, photographs and Learning Journeys. Good quality information is provided for parents and the childminder works closely with them at all times to ensure children receive continuity in their care. The childminder works effectively with other providers where children's care is shared and takes an active role in supporting children as they move between settings. She is skilled in balancing the

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the early years provision

needs of all children, ensuring that activities are adapted so that they are all fully included.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very committed to the service she provides and has lots of plans for the future. She is still in the early stages of caring for children and some of her systems are still being evaluated and developed. For example, the childminder undertakes routine observations of children and has a good understanding of their developmental stage, which enables her to differentiate activities when more than one child is present. However, her system to identify, record and share children's progress and their next steps is in the early stages of use and so it is not yet embedded in her practice. The childminder is developing her knowledge through attending training and has completed some short courses in addition to what is required. The childminder has started to reflect upon the service she provides and to seek the views of parents. She is aware of her strengths and areas she wishes to develop although rigorous self-evaluation is not yet well-established. For

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the early years provision

example, she is trying different ways to assess and record children's development in order to find a system that is easy to manage and informative for herself and parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and full of enthusiasm as they play in the childminder's home. Excellent relationships are in place between the children and the childminder and they interact happily with one another. The childminder is very skilled in drawing out learning from every situation and empowering children to explore, think and try things for themselves. This results in children being confident, independent and have a passion for learning. For example, after playing with play dough the children pack this away into a tub and when they cannot find a lid they set about making one themselves by cutting paper and using tape to fix it in place. This demonstrates an ability to think and solve problems. Children's practical skills are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 enhanced as they are encouraged to undertake small tasks throughout the day. For example, they help to prepare lunch and are fully involved as they count how

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and outcomes for children

many slices of cucumber they want and say what shape to cut their sandwiches into.

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and outcomes for children

Children like to be creative and examples of their artwork are displayed around the home. Their imagination is fostered through the use of good quality role-play toys that allow them to enact scenarios familiar to them, such as paying for goods at the supermarket checkout and cooking lunch in the play kitchen. Children's language is fostered through meaningful conversations, stories and singing times. They have fun playing musical instruments as they sing nursery rhymes. Children sometimes make their own books. One shows a recent visit to the garden centre using photographs they have taken themselves and with captions written by the children. This also serves as a prompt for the children to recall the visit and to talk about how they planted flowers in the garden and will continue to care for them.

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and outcomes for children

Children generally behave well because the childminder is calm and consistent in her approach. She is alert to how children play together and provides sensitive guidance and support when children find it difficult to share. She raises their awareness of the wider world through the use of an appropriate range of resources. Children's feelings are explored with the use of puppets, which enables them to talk about what makes them cross or sad.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate a good understanding of keeping themselves healthy and take responsibility for wiping their own noses with the tissues provided. They readily wash their own hands before eating and choose healthy items from the table at lunch time. Children eat a variety of salad vegetables with their sandwiches and fruits with their yoghurt. Children show an understanding of safety as they play. For example, children handle scissors with care and understand why small items must be kept away from young children. They take part in regular fire evacuation practices and this raises their awareness of what to do in an emergency. Children contribute to recycling in the home and develop an understanding of how things grow and what care plants need. Children develop an ability to express their needs, views and wishes and overall are well-prepared for the future. 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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