Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY430477 Inspection date 09/01/2012 Inspector Janice Hughes

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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 her husband and two children aged three and five years old, in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The whole home is registered with care normally provided on the ground floor. There are toilets facilities on each level. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for four children under eight years, of whom two may be in the early years age group. Currently she is caring for three children of whom two are in the early years age range. Overnight care may be provided for two children under eight years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has a car available for trips out and attends local group meetings. 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

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care, she provides a welcoming, homely and inclusive environment. Good relationships between the childminder, parents and other providers ensure that children's care and education is promoted. Children make, in the main, good progress in their learning and development. Resources are available for most areas of learning and are well organised. All required policies and procedures are in place and reflect a safe and healthy practice at the home. The childminder demonstrates a good capacity to develop her practice and is able to clearly identify further areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure observations, assessments and children's next steps fully inform future planning, so that children are fully challenged to meet their full potential  develop activities to promote information and communication technology skills.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well because the childminder has a strong knowledge of child protection issues. She is aware of the procedures to follow should she have any concerns. The childminder has good systems in place to promote children's safety. For example, the fitting of safety equipment, including socket covers and stair gates. The environment, both indoors and outside, is subject to detailed risk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessments. Regular fire drills are practised, so that children learn how to keep themselves safe in an emergency. Effective use is made of space in the home to provide a wide range of different activities and experiences. The childminder spends time with the children, interacting effectively in a natural and sensitive way. As a result of this, the children are able to explore the resources and activities available to them. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to

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the early years provision

inclusion and offers a warm welcome to all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed an evaluation of her provision, which has helped her identify her strengths and weaknesses. She shows a willingness to make continuous improvements, making use of self-evaluation as a tool to develop her service. She has a good commitment to improving her own knowledge and expertise. Her professional development is shown by the courses she has attended, which include, for example, 'Signs and symbols' and her first aid course.

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the early years provision

Strong relationships are established with parents and children. Relevant documentation is completed to a high quality. The childminder has developed written policies relating to her service, which she shares with parents keeping them informed of her responsibilities. She communicates verbally with parents on a daily basis. This ensures parents are fully aware of the care provided and the activities their children have encountered during the time spent with the childminder. She takes and collects children from school and nursery and ensures that relevant information is relayed back to parents. She also liaises with other childcare professionals to help develop her knowledge and understanding in childcare. The childminder understands the benefits of developing partnerships with other providers involved in children's care, when the need arises, to promote continuity.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy and achieve during their time with the childminder. They have plenty of opportunities to develop their communication and social skills. Talking and listening is clearly recognised as being very important and is reinforced by the childminder throughout the day. She holds purposeful conversations with children to enhance their learning. For example, they play in the role play kitchen and make cups of tea and talk about the tea being hot. This aids children to think critically and be active learners. Children have good relationships with the childminder, taking part in playing games, laughing as they catch and throw balls outside. These activities also reinforce good expectations of the need to share and take turns. Children's behaviour is good. Their positive self-esteem is maintained as the childminder creates a friendly, calm and relaxed atmosphere. She provides well for equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice to enable children to learn

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and outcomes for children

and develop respect for themselves and each other. Children are encouraged to make choices in play, keeping them active and interested. This ensures most children have the opportunity to make, in the main, good progress, in relation to their starting points.

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and outcomes for children

Children begin to explore their creative skills and practise with single-handed tools This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to support future writing skills when taking part in craft activities. Children independently choose paint to create pictures of their parents. During the activity, the childminder also fosters the child's interest in number, colour and encourages investigation. The childminder observes children well and knows their capabilities. She provides stimulating activities that she knows they enjoy. Her flexible planning develops through the interests and play preferences of children. This ensures that the children benefit from a good balance of child-led and adult-initiated activities that sustain their interest well. The childminder has, however, not fully established methods to use the observations and assessments to plan for the children's

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and outcomes for children

individual learning. As such, children may not build as many skills as they are capable of.

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and outcomes for children

Children are fascinated by how things work. For example, the children watch how the diggers are working on the building site next to the house. The childminder uses this experience and encourages them to dig and build. Books are readily accessible to children and they are keen to select their favourite stories for shared reading. The childminder tells popular stories to the children. Children repeat the sequences and phases and scream with delight as the childminder enacts the story. This helps children to understand that reading is fun and purposeful. Children compare weight and measurement when they are baking and practise counting during everyday play activities. Children become skilful at matching and sorting by size, shape and colour as they play with a variety of toys and puzzles. There are, however, limited resources or activities for the children to learn information and communication technology. Consequently, children do not fully

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and outcomes for children

A healthy environment is maintained through effective hygiene routines. Toilet and hand-washing facilities are easily accessible, supporting children's independence and helping them develop healthy practices. Children understand to wash their hands before snack time and use individual flannels to prevent the spread of germs. The childminder works closely with parents to accommodate children's individual dietary needs, providing healthy meals and snacks that the children enjoy. Drinks are also available throughout the day to ensure children are well hydrated. Children benefit from the fresh air, exercise and opportunities to develop physical skills provided through the regular outdoor activities, For example, the children have regular trips to the local park and use the garden daily. During activities and routines, children learn about safe practices, such as crossing roads carefully or through discussions with the childminder about the dangers of

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and outcomes for children

strangers. 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 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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