Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY412390 Inspection date 17/06/2011 Inspector Judith Rayner

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 registered in 2010. She lives with her three school aged children in a semi detached house in Sutton in Ashfield, near Mansfield, north Nottinghamshire. There are local amenities close by, such as, a park, schools and a library. The family have two tortoises and two lizards. The whole of the house is accessible to children with toilet facilities accessible on the first floor. Most childminding occurs on the ground floor. The premises are easily accessible through a front entrance and one step up into the home. There is also sufficient parking available outside the home.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to provide care for five children under eight. There are two children on roll, both of whom are within the early years age group. They attend various days and times throughout the week. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a recognisable childcare qualification.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming, stimulating and suitably organised home where all children's health, safety and welfare needs are met and fully respected. Children are happy, settled and are making good progress in their learning and development. Records, policies and procedures are mostly robust, clearly written and well organised. The childminder uses a self-evaluation process to identify areas for improvement to ensure the outcomes for children continue to develop.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 review the systems in place to update records and information  raise further children's awareness to the procedures to take should they need to leave the house quickly, with particular regard to fire drills  review the organisation of rooms in the home to support the children's learning and development.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well because the childminder is confident and knowledgeable of her role and responsibility to protect them from possible harm. Clear procedures in place, supported by written documentation, highlight the procedures she takes should she have any concerns regarding any of the children in her care. A clearly written safeguarding policy is in place which is also shared This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with parents from the onset. The childminder undertakes daily risk assessments to ensure all areas of the home are safe for children. Written assessments undertaken annually further support the childminder in the practice undertaken to minimise risks to children in the home and on outings. Therefore, children are able to explore safely and independently whilst having fun. The childminder provides good levels of supervision, taking into account the children's age and ability whilst

p.4

the early years provision

encouraging their independence. Children are less familiar with what to do should they need to leave the house quickly as they have not yet undertaken a fire drill procedure. However, the childminder has a written procedure in place supported by posters around the home raising children's awareness to safety.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder organises the day well in accordance with children's individual needs, such as, meal and sleep times. Children are offered plenty of opportunities to visit the local community, such as, the library, toddler groups and childminding groups. However, the organisation of some of the rooms restricts some children in the range of activities that will enable them to meet their potential. Therefore, not all areas of the home are fully maximised to support children's all round development. There is a good range of toys and resources that are attractively presented and easily accessible, enabling children to develop their independence skills when self-selecting toys of their choice. Children are treated with equal concern and have access to a range of activities and experiences that help them learn about others' similarities and differences. The partnership with parents is good. The childminder has promoted an effective working partnership with parents

p.5

the early years provision

and children's individual needs are quickly identified and met. The childminder has a flexible approach, enabling parents to work various shifts throughout the week. Parents speak highly of the service that is offered. A good range of written information supported by daily discussions supports the ongoing needs of children and keeps the parents up to date with their child's progress. There are suitable systems in place with others who are involved with the care and learning of children in her care should this be required.

p.5

the early years provision

A good range of written policies and procedures are in place which clearly highlight how children are cared for and how the childminder operates her business. However, the system used to record some information and keeping them up-to- date is not as robust. Therefore, some aspects of identifying children's safety are not always fully addressed. Documentation is well organised and held securely. The childminder has a useful system in place to review aspects of her service and skills to ensure improvement. From this she has identified further training to develop her knowledge and skills in supporting the outcomes for children, such as, learning more about how boys behave. The childminder has also reviewed the system used to track children's development to ensure that all areas of learning are identified and children are provided with a good range of experiences and opportunities. The childminder has a positive attitude to the ongoing development

p.5

the early years provision

of her childcare practice which demonstrates through self evaluation a good capacity for continued improvement for the outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and are making good progress in their learning and development. They enjoy their time with the childminder, experiencing a variety of activities both in the home and out in the community. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and successfully implements the Early Years Foundation Stage into her practice. Each child has a starting point where the childminder has gathered useful information from parents about their child. Observations are regularly undertaken during a variety of activities in the home and on outings, enabling the childminder to have a clear assessment of where each child is at in their stage of development. From this, the childminder identifies what she needs to do next to support the ongoing development needs of each child, such as supporting a baby in developing their leg muscles to help them prepare for walking. There is a good balance a child-orientated play and adult-lead

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are confident and enjoy exploring. Their self-esteem and behaviour is good. The childminder knows the children she cares for very well, and quickly identifies any triggers that may change a child's behaviour, such as, when they get tired or are hungry and takes appropriate action to minimise any concerns. The childminder praises children on the smallest of achievements, using positive words of encouragement, such as, 'well done' supported with warm smiles. The childminder talks consistently with the children, encouraging and developing their language skills from a young age. Babies enjoy looking at books. They sit on the childminder's knee and help turn the pages, press buttons to make animal sounds and point out animal characters in the book. From a young age children develop their imaginative skills as they dress up in aprons and pretend to shop with bags, toy fruit and vegetables. Older children count the number of bananas, describe the

p.6

and outcomes for children

colour and name the fruit as they put them in the bag. Children enjoy sticking as they make Father's Day cards placing the glue stick on paper and selecting pictures to stick on the card. Children move with confidence between the rooms whether crawling or walking because the childminder ensures these areas are safe. Babies gain a sense of safety as they are secured in highchair when eating food or playing with toys and are supervised closely by the childminder. Older children are encouraged to take more calculated risks monitored by the childminder, such as, helping themselves climb up onto the settee.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder is a good role model in personal hygiene. Babies are encouraged to wash their hands before and after they have something to eat as well as having their noses wiped regularly, helping them feel more comfortable. Older children use their own hand towels to dry their hands after they have washed them. Menus are healthy and fully address any individual dietary needs. All children try new food tastes and textures, such as, raspberries and enjoy tuna sandwiches for lunch. Drinks are available throughout the day and babies' food intake and fluids are closely monitored to ensure they do not become dehydrated. Children experience fresh air and exercise when they spend time at the park or go for walks in the local community. Older children show consideration to the babies. They gently touch their heads and are happy to roll balls backwards and forwards on the floor taking This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

and outcomes for children

it in turns with support from the childminder. To help children develop the skills they will need for the future they are provided with programmable toys, such as, toy word computers, and shopping tills. They are regularly involved in activities that support their independence skills, such as, self-selecting toys and putting on their sandals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.8

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

p.8

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.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9