Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY363241 Inspection date 16/03/2011 Inspector Sally Smith

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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 2007. She lives with her partner and children aged 12 and six years in Edwalton, Nottingham. The kitchen and playroom on the ground floor along with the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently six children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and comulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder's understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage is excellent and she implements it most effectively. Policies and procedures are comprehensive underpinning the excellent service she provides. Positive partnerships with parents and carers are fundamental in ensuring that all children's needs are fully met. Self- evaluation is robust providing an accurate assessment of the childminder's strengths and ongoing areas for improvement.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 improve the written risk assessment further by ensuring it covers anything with which a child may come into contact.

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the early years provision

Children are well-protected from harm as the childminder's knowledge of safeguarding procedures is robust. She is fully aware of her responsibilities to report any concerns and is conversant with all the necessary procedures, which are shared with parents. The childminder is vigilant about children's safety and a daily checklist alerts her to any potential hazards so that these can be minimised. A written risk assessment is also undertaken. This is reviewed as and when the need arises, although, it does not cover everything a child may come into contact with. However, regular discussions and the childminder's common-sense approach helps children to learn how to stay safe. Registers accurately record children's attendance. The accommodation and resources are extremely well organised This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 enabling children to make choices in their play. This is encouraged by the

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the early years provision

childminder who keeps a close eye on her charges, whilst promoting their independence very well.

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the early years provision

Excellent partnerships with parents and carers are integral in ensuring that children are fully supported and their individual needs met. Parents are made to feel valued and welcomed. Their opinions are actively sought, through discussions and consultation in respect to the childminding provision. The childminder regularly seeks parents' support and information about children's play preferences to inform planning and activities provided for children. The sharing of children's individual learning journeys and regular daily conversations in respect of each child's progress contributes towards children's positive outcomes. Parents and carers are universal in their praise of the childminder and are hugely appreciative of her contributions, as this typical response shows, 'I am generally delighted with the care my child receives, it is really evident that she enjoys caring for children and making their days fun, stimulating and comfortable. There are lots of fun yet

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the early years provision

educational areas for the children to enjoy and she works very hard at establishing very positive relationships with parents'.

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the early years provision

The childminder rigorously evaluates her service, having a clear set of priorities for improvement. She continually reflects on her work, keeping up-to-date with current best practice. She thoroughly embraces training to update her knowledge and skills, applying what she has learnt and changing her practice as necessary. This has a positive impact on the quality of care and results in an environment that is vibrant, stimulating and rich in learning opportunities.

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and outcomes for children

The environment is a happy hive of activity where children have freedom to explore and investigate independently, whilst also having the benefit of well planned adult-led activities offering a wealth of learning opportunities. The childminder is enthusiastic in all that she does which inspires children's learning and development. She is highly motivated and focused on the needs of the children in her care. Excellent interactions between herself and the children, whether this be during play or carrying out their daily routines, enhance outcomes for children. The childminder has a high level of professional expertise and knowledge of child development, ensuring that all children make excellent progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to express their thoughts and ideas with minimal interruption from the childminder. However, she knows when to join in their play, extend their learning and offer sufficient challenge. They develop a strong sense of independence, for example, they put on their coats, shoes and gloves before going out. This helps in their preparation for school. Children look at recycling and how precious and important water is in their daily lives. They make rain-catchers and measure how much they have collected before using this to water their plants. Children discuss the importance of not wasting water when running taps, particularly when brushing their teeth. This helps them to develop skills for the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 future. Children thoroughly enjoy playing with the road map and cars, helping them to make sense of the world around them and relate to real experiences.

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and outcomes for children

Children discuss their own experiences of travelling in a car with 'mummy and daddy' and why they need to wear seat-belts.

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and outcomes for children

They enjoy topics, such as exploring the life cycle of a frog or butterfly. Children are engrossed in tasks and learn a variety of different skills, whilst sorting different coloured cubes into corresponding colour labelled cups they develop mathematical concepts. They discuss concepts, such as, 'how many' and make comparisons, observing that one cup is 'really full' and they can fit more cubes into another cup. They then build towers with the cubes and whilst naming the colours, are able to differentiate between light and dark blue. They are encouraged to discuss what they are doing and why.

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and outcomes for children

Snack and meal times are also used to stimulate children's learning as well as their social skills. The childminder gently encourages children to discuss their food preferences and sit at the table to eat. They learn which foods are healthy to eat and which are not. They make fruit cocktails and smoothies and recall fruit picking in the summer. After they have finished eating, children take it in turns to wash up.

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and outcomes for children

Strong links with parents and carers enable them to play a crucial role in their child's care and education, resulting in all children making excellent progress in their learning and development. Learning journals provide a wonderful and detailed account of the children's day with the childminder. The level of challenge is very effective as the childminder rigorously collates information through observations to monitor children's progress and then uses this information to provide focused activities, which bring out the best in each child. As a result, children have an exhilarating, stimulating range of activities which they approach with relish. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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