Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 252473 Inspection date 16/03/2011 Inspector Patricia Webb

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 has been registered since 1990 and lives with her two adult children in Arnold in Nottingham. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding including toilet facilities. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play laid put to a paved patio and lawn. The family has two dogs and some axolotls in a tank in the lounge.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years of whom three may be in the early years age range. There are currently eight children on roll, four of whom are in the early years age group. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a Level 3 qualification in early years childcare ad education and 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 satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder treats all children with warmth and respect as they settle in the homely environment. Their individual needs are identified and addressed effectively as she gathers relevant information from parents and carers. Children make sound progress in their development and early learning picking up valuable skills for the future through the kind and calm support offered by the childminder and her family. The childminder shows a commitment to on-going improvement and has begun to evaluate the impact her practice has on enhancing outcomes for children.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 expand the range of activities offered to help children begin to know about their own and other cultures and understand and celebrate the similarities and differences between them in a diverse society  extend the risk assessments to cover everything a child may come into contact with on the premises  improve the records of children's daily attendance to accurately reflect the times of their arrival and departure. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Children are relaxed and settled with the childminder as she offers each of them warm and affectionate care. She has a sound understanding of her role and responsibility in ensuring children's welfare is safeguarded appropriately. She is aware of the known signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and how she would proceed with such concerns to safeguard children. Parents are further assured of her commitment to children's welfare as all adults in the home have undergone relevant checks to ensure their suitability. Risk assessments are carried out both as daily visual checks and as a regular process with records maintained including reference to outings and trips children participate in. Whilst the childminder is diligent in her supervision of the children, the record does not cover everything a child may come into contact with such as the chicken wire fencing in the garden.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder works effectively with parents and carers to build positive relationships to ensure children's individual needs are met. All of the required documentation and parental consents are in place for the effective and efficient management of the provision. Whilst formal contracts indicate the childminding arrangements, the record of children's daily attendance does not accurately reflect the children's times of arrival and departure, hindering how the childminder demonstrates how ratios are adhered to, particularly when children attend other settings during the day. Relationships with other providers are in place and conducted daily by the childminder in a verbal manner daily to ensure a consistent approach is fostered for each child receiving early education.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has experience of offering a service to children from a range of different backgrounds and children with special educational needs. She is aware of how strategies such as the use of Makaton sign language can help to foster effective communication for children with evolving language skills or children from families where English may be an additional language. She offers children positive images of culture and disability within their play resources and fosters a respectful attitude within the children as they consider the diversity of their world although the practical activities offered to extend this are limited. The childminder does however engender a strong sense of respect in the children in her care. They benefit from the positive role models shown by the childminder herself and her family, helping children to feel valued and part of the family-orientated environment. She is committed to on-going improvement having gained a

p.5

the early years provision

professional qualification in child care and early education since her last inspection and she informally evaluates the impact her practice has on children's attainment. She assesses this from the verbal feedback given from parents and some of the older children attending and from observing the demeanour and activity of the younger children, many of whom express disappointment when parents come to collect them. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children benefit from the quiet, calm manner with which the childminder supports their play and activity. Having always observed children's progress, the childminder is now beginning to keep simple records of some of the activities children engage in and shares these with the children and their parents. She articulates each child's progress, knowing their characters and individual needs well. She is able to relate what she intends to do for each child's next steps such as preparing for toilet training or working sensitively with a child to improve eating habits.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Imaginative play is a firm favourite among the children. They eagerly arrange and order the characters in the small world play with the dolls house, re-enacting routines and family celebrations such as a birthday. When other children arrive in from morning nursery, great excitement ensues as they choose their dressing up clothes and become cheer leaders, shaking the pom-poms with gusto as they dance to their favourite music. Much fun is had during such activities and the childminder supports the children in sharing the resources and pitching the activity to suit children of differing ages and stages of development skilfully. Activities are also arranged to acknowledge some of the major steps in children's lives such as preparing for leaving the childminder and going to 'big school'.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children excitedly recognise themselves and each other in the photographs, remembering the 'Boggits', fictional characters from a story, which they made out of clay during a Woodland Activity day at a local nature park. They become aware of caring for the environment as they help the childminder with recycling and know about not dropping litter. Such activities help children to gain key skills for the future as they prepare to become responsible citizens. They know about tidying away toys and resources for safety reasons and practice emergency evacuations regularly. Whilst parents supply their children's meals, the childminder discusses healthy options and any specific dietary needs with parents to ensure children's on-going health. Safe storage of the foods by the childminder reduces the risk of spoilage and children enjoy the social time sitting at the table as a group. They are encouraged to wash hand when appropriate and know that germs will upset their

p.6

and outcomes for children

tummies. Minor accidents and the administration of medication are managed well with full records maintained and parents kept fully informed. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

p.7

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.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8