Childminder in Nottingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY270189 Inspection date 16/03/2011 Inspector Dianne Andrews

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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 2003. She lives with her family and pet cats in a mid-terrace house in Nottingham. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with sleep and toilet facilities provided in this area. There is a small enclosed rear garden available for outside play. Shops, library facilities and a park are within walking distance.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for four children under eight years at any one time. She presently has three children in this age group on roll. She is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and has access to a local childminding group. She also has previous experience in nursing.

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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 making good progress in their learning and development because the childminder has a good understanding of child development. The childminder's practice is inclusive and children take part in a range of interesting activities that support their individual learning needs well. Most procedures in place ensure children's welfare is promoted well. Information provided by parents is used effectively to ensure the childminder is able to meet the individual needs of the children. The childminder is vivacious and enthusiastic and demonstrates a good capacity to continuously improve and develop her practice for the benefit of the children attending.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide opportunities for parents to contribute to their child's learning and development record  review the risk assessment to ensure that it covers anything with which a child may come into contact to ensure children's safety and well-being.

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the early years provision

The childminder fully understands her role with regards to protecting children in her care and has appropriate systems in place to ensure they are safeguarded. Her child protection policy supports her practice and is made available for parents. Adults in the household are known to Ofsted to allow relevant checks to be completed. The daily register, accident and incident records are completed as appropriate to promote children's well-being. The childminder understands the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 need to review her procedures to support the administration of medication, following a change to the way her records are maintained. The childminder talks to parents to establish who has legal contact and parental responsibility for each child, so that she is aware of all the information she needs to protect children. The childminder is vigilant about children's safety, describing the steps taken and

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the early years provision

routines in place to eliminate risks. However, the risk assessment record does not cover everything that children may come into contact with in order to fully promote their safety, the present check-list document shows the areas checked, rather than detailing how the risks have been minimised.

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the early years provision

Children develop secure, trusting relationships within the setting, which are enhanced through the well-established, supportive relationships between the childminder and their parents. References provided by parents detail their absolute satisfaction with the care service the childminder offers. They make comments, such as, 'in our eyes we needed a second mother who we needed to have trust and faith in and we have not looked back from day one'. The childminder obtains details about the children's care needs, interests and routines to ensure they get the support they need to make good progress. She has a very friendly approach and shares information about the day's events verbally after each session or by text or email. The environment is awash with displays of interesting photographs, showing children actively engaged in a host of activities, these are regularly updated to keep parents involved.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes an inclusive service for all children and their families. She ensures that toys and activities effectively meet the needs and individual requirements of the children attending. She knows the children very well and uses her understanding of how children learn to help them make progress. They make decisions about what they want to play with from an available range of resources. They add to these through the use of an attractive 'photo book', which offers photographs of alternative toys they can ask to use. The childminder monitors children's development using a tracking document, ensuring their progress across all areas of learning. She uses the many photographs she takes of the children at play to demonstrate their achievements to their parents and to record the fun time they have while in her care. Parents are involved in reviewing their children's progress regularly, but do not contribute to their learning and development records

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the early years provision

to promote continuity. The childminder works in partnership with other providers and services children attend, liaising with children's keyworkers to help them flourish in their new settings. The childminder creates a welcoming home where children feel safe, happy and valued. She is a very experienced child carer and shows a willingness to make continuous improvements, making use of self- evaluation as a tool to develop her service. She accesses training opportunities and liaises with other childcare professionals to help develop her knowledge and to ensure she is up-to-date with current legislation and guidance. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are content, relaxed and secure. They develop very positive relationships with the childminder, who is attentive and shows that she knows them and their families well. She enthusiastically supports their learning, using a friendly and knowledgeable approach as she joins in their play and by initiating activities that follow their interests. The childminder continually talks to the children asking open- ended questions. She extends their learning, encourages them to think and helps them to make connections. They develop mathematical skills as they use shape sorters, refer to things that are bigger and smaller and count as they play. They happily use their language skills as they initiate conversations. They learn new vocabulary rapidly, and confidently and competently describe what they are doing, for instance, putting 'beautiful flowers' in the garden they are building from construction materials. Toddlers begin to repeat words modelled by the

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and outcomes for children

childminder and to make their needs known through the use of their developing communication skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes good use of every learning opportunity, for instance, children explore the world around them as they take bus trips. While seated on the bus they observe the text within posters and notices, recognising letters and learning that text carries meaning. When they are out with the childminder they develop awareness of their personal safety because they learn about road safety and 'stranger danger'. Children enjoy taking part in creative activities. For instance, they giggle as they dress up using a range of props and are keen to make collages and decorate leaf templates while learning about the changes in the seasons and things that grow. They access a range of interestingly textured materials, such as, shiny coloured sequins and feathers, which they glue into place, developing confidence in their own ability while being supported by the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children have plenty of opportunities for physical activity, in the garden, at groups they attend and through use of local parks. They benefit from fresh air and exercise as they walk to various amenities, so promoting an active lifestyle. They are supported to understand how exercise, eating, sleeping and hygiene promote their good health. Children of all ages learn to play together. They begin to socialise, to share, use good manners and to respect others. As a consequence, they become active and inquisitive learners and develop skills for the future. They behave well, recognising boundaries and responding to expectations. Their good behaviour is promoted through praise and encouragement. Within their play they access a range of resources promoting positive images of diversity so that they learn to value similarities and differences. They benefit from an interesting environment that reflects their own backgrounds and the wider community.

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and outcomes for children

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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