Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY421166 Inspection date 11/10/2011 Inspector Claire Jenner

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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 2011. She lives with partner in a small town in Nottinghamshire. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom and back bedroom is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect 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 six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently four 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 on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

The childminder provides a warm and homely environment for children and they are happy, settled and confident in her care. She ensures that children's care and welfare needs are well supported and they make good progress in their learning. The childminder ensures that all children are valued and included with information obtained from parents helping her to identify and address children's differences. A range of clear and considered policies and procedures are in place to effectively support her practice. The childminder shows an enthusiasm and commitment to her work and has begun to implement systems to evaluate her services. As a result, she has been able to highlight some of the strengths and areas for further development in her setting.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend systems for self-evaluation and reflective practice to further identify strengths and priorities for improvement that will continue to improve the quality of provision for children  develop further the use of observations and assessment in order to plan the next steps for individual children's developmental progress.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and is aware of the signs and indicators of child abuse and neglect. She has prepared a written statement detailing how she would comply with the procedures of the Local This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Safeguarding Children Board in the event of concerns being raised about a child in her care. Consequently, children are safeguarded effectively. In addition, all adults in the household are vetted and the identity of visitors is checked. The childminder maintains comprehensive risk assessments and conducts daily visual checks of the premises to ensure that children play in a safe environment. Good supervision from the childminder ensures that children can explore their surroundings safely. Documentation required to promote the safe and effective management of the setting is in place, well organised and readily available.

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the early years provision

The childminder meets the children's care needs well and she organises her time effectively to ensure that children benefit from a broad range of play and learning opportunities both within and outside of the home. Children independently access a broad range of developmentally appropriate and well-organised toys, resources and equipment in the bright and welcoming home environment. Equality of opportunity is effectively promoted, ensuring all children are supported to participate in all aspects of the provision. A comprehensive range of resources that are representative of diversity, such as small world toys, books and puzzles are provided, helping children to develop an understanding of the wider world. Through discussion the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language.

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the early years provision

Good partnerships with parents are in place and the childminder shares all relevant policies and procedures with them. She has established effective systems to enable her to gather all the necessary information about children's care and learning needs, for example, dietary and medical requirements and personal interests. In addition, on going opportunities to exchange information through shared discussions and regular access to children's individual files and records are maintained. Consequently, any changes can be addressed quickly helping to ensure children receive a continuity of care. Although there are currently no children attending who receive education and care in more than one setting, the childminder shows a sound understanding of the benefits of sharing relevant information with other practitioners to ensure continuity and coherence.

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the early years provision

The childminder has made a good start to her childminding business. She has attended relevant local training and has taken time to seek out resources and guidance to support children's learning and development. The childminder indicates a strong commitment to improvement and has recently begun to implement some systems to monitor and evaluate her provision. As a result, she has begun to identify some areas for improvement and has considered some ways to develop her practice. However, these are not yet sufficiently robust to enable her to identify a clear and well informed plan for future development.

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and outcomes for children

This childminder has good understanding of how children learn through their play and offers interesting and challenging opportunities to try and capture their interest and involvement. Systems for observation and assessment have been This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 successfully developed to identify children's abilities and next steps as the childminder takes time to talk to children about their current interests. However, she is not using this information consistently in order to guide and inform her planning for individual children's interests and on occasion misses the opportunity to enable children to initiate their own learning. The childminder has developed positive relationships with the children and they are comfortable in her company. They enjoy her positive interaction as she joins in with them as they play. For example, together they go on an imaginary car journey creating sound affects and

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and outcomes for children

"bumping" up and down until they arrive at the child's chosen destination. She takes them on outings to play-and-stay sessions, local parks and the library. Therefore, providing them with lots of opportunities to have fun, meet other children and be out and about in their local community.

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and outcomes for children

Children's early communication is very well promoted because the childminder talks to them about what they are doing as they play and during everyday routines. She recognises the need to listen carefully and allow children opportunities and time to express themselves. She frequently introduces them to a broad range of books, relevant to their age and understanding using fun and exciting visual aids to enhance the children's learning experience. For example, a favourite story is bought to life with a large green furry caterpillar puppet and a selection of food which a young child enthusiastically feeds to him as the story progresses. The children have opportunities to explore different media and materials. For example, they enjoy the feel of the paint between their fingers as they make prints on some paper and the texture of a selection of natural materials, such as conkers and pine cones which they have collected from a recent visit to

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and outcomes for children

local woodlands. Children are developing their physical skills sufficiently well as they regularly go for walks in the community and visit the local park near the childminder's home. They particularly enjoy playing in the childminder's garden, where they have good access to an increasing range of toys and resources.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a sense of belonging and build positive relationships with the childminder and their peers as they are learning to share, take turns and show care and concern for each other. The childminder has a calm and caring approach with the children and she offers plenty of praise and encouragement, which helps to develop their self-esteem and good behaviour. Children are active or restful through choice and toddlers sleep in line with their individual needs and parents' wishes. Their individual dietary needs are met well as meals and snacks are prepared that are nutritious and adhere to their dietary needs. They have regular access to fresh drinking water that ensures they remain refreshed whilst they play. The childminder talks to them about healthy eating and provides practical activities to promote their awareness, such as involving them in the preparation of meals or baking healthier snacks. Children are protected from the spread of infection and

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and outcomes for children

any medication is administered in an appropriate manner and records accurately maintained and shared with parents. All records containing personal information are stored securely, are well organised and are readily accessible to underpin children's care. 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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