Childminder in Nottingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY277615 Inspection date 29/03/2011 Inspector Janice Walker

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and four children aged 13, nine, five and three years. The family live in the Rise Park area of Nottingham, within walking distance of local facilities including shops, parks, country park and schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes with toilet and sleeping facilities available within this area. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family have a pet Cocker Spaniel dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years at any one time, two of whom may be in the early years age range. Currently, there are seven children on roll, one of whom is in the early years range. She provides care all year round. The childminder has a vehicle available for her use.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm and inclusive environment where children are happy and feel a sense of belonging. Their needs are met as the childminder knows them well through her friendly relationships with parents. Most records are in place and help to ensure the safety, welfare and development of children. Children make steady progress in their learning as they access a varied range of toys and activities whilst in the childminder's care. The childminder is beginning to use self-evaluation to identify areas for 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 that the record of the risk assessment identifies all aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 05/04/2011

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further?

 ensure that the record of the risk assessment clearly states when it was carried out, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 05/04/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve the steps taken to ensure that hazards to children are kept to a minimum, with regards to the trailing wires in the conservatory  reconsider the organisation of resources to increase the opportunities for children to make their own selections regarding their play  improve the arrangements for observations and assessments so they can be used to assist in planning enjoyable and challenging learning and development experiences that are tailored to meet children's individual needs and to ensure children are making progress towards each of the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

Children are generally well safeguarded and protected. They are closely supervised and the childminder makes effective use of safety equipment to ensure that they remain within their identified play areas. Risk assessments have been undertaken; the childminder is aware of possible hazards and takes action to ensure that these are minimised. However, temporary measures which have been put in place whilst awaiting equipment in order to be able to undertake more permanent measures, are not as secure as they could be. The written risk assessment does not contain the level of detail required in the specific legal requirements in that it is not dated and does not accurately reflect the risks identified. The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities regarding child protection; supported through her recent attendance at relevant training. Clear procedures mean that all adults on the premises remain suitable to be in contact with children. The home is warm

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the early years provision

and welcoming. It is comfortably furnished with room for children to eat and rest in comfort with ample space for them to play and explore. There is a suitable range of toys and resources to support children's learning and development, however, the organisation of these puts some restrictions on the children's learning opportunities. The childminder effectively promotes inclusion, adapting daily routines to ensure a flexible and individual service in order to meet the needs of each individual child.

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the early years provision

All required records and documents are maintained and the childminder shares them appropriately with parents so they are clear about her childminding service. She develops warm and friendly relationships with parents, sharing relevant information at the outset through verbal exchanges and her written policies and procedures. Parents therefore have a clear understanding about her childminding service. She exchanges verbal information on an ongoing basis about how well their children are achieving, their well-being and development. The childminder keeps abreast of current issues and practices through her attendance at relevant training along with her friendships with other local childminders and she has responded positively to advice and support from relevant childcare professionals. She is in the early stages of self-evaluation and has a sound awareness of areas of strength and areas where there is scope to improve. All of this will support her in

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the early years provision

her strive for continuous improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is developing an appropriate knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She makes some useful observations of what children can do and makes appropriate use of relevant guidance to link her observations to the six areas of learning. However, they are not yet linked closely enough to the developmental steps towards the early learning goals to ensure that next steps for learning or any gaps in their learning are clearly identified. Activities therefore do not always provide an appropriate level of challenge. However, children access a good range of toys and activities which cover all areas of their learning and development and they make sound progress. Young children are content, settled and willingly participate in the activities provided. They particularly enjoy the box of bricks, developing their coordination as they carefully place one on top of another and begin to match shapes as they attempt to post them through the

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and outcomes for children

shape sorter. They have warm relationships with the childminder, actively seeking to sit on her knee to share books and give cuddles. Young children are developing their communication skills through ongoing interaction with the childminder who provides high levels of attention. She makes good use of books, encouraging the children to look for and name familiar objects in pictures. They are beginning to enjoy songs and rhymes, requesting by gestures to sing favourites such as 'row the boat'. Resources and activities reflect the wider community and help to raise children's understanding of the world in which they live. Regular outings to local facilities with other minded children support their developing social skills and help them develop a good awareness of their local community.

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and outcomes for children

Good quality interaction and well-organised routines help young children to become secure and confident in the childminder's care. They begin to learn about possible dangers and how to keep themselves safe through the childminder's clear rules and ongoing discussions. For example, they know they go on the trampoline one at a time and that the net must be closed before they bounce. They regularly practise the emergency evacuation procedures and know they must wear seat belts when travelling in the car. The childminder encourages children to learn good personal hygiene routines by ensuring they wash hands before snacks and clean runny noses as needed. She works effectively with parents to ensure she provides meals in line with their wishes so that children have an adequate amount of food over the course of the day, promoting healthy eating by offering fresh fruit for snacks. Outings to play parks and country parks provide children with fresh air and

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and outcomes for children

opportunities to practise their physical skills. The childminder has clear rules within the home which she consistently reinforces. Children learn to respect the toys and furniture and to share with each other. Through her appropriate support, they learn what is acceptable and what is not. Children are happy and settled, displaying good levels of confidence, for example, a young child confidently asks for juice when he empties his cup. The range of activities, along with the childminder's supportive interaction ensures children have appropriate opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills they need for future learning. 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 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

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Stage

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

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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

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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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