Childminder in NottinghamOfsted inspection, 15 Dec 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY428365 Inspection date 15/12/2011 Inspector Karen Cooper

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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 registered in 2011. She lives in the Clifton area of Nottingham with her husband and two children aged three and six years. The ground floor and first floor bathroom of the childminder's house are used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden which is available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years old at any one time. There is currently one child attending on a part-time basis who is within the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends the local toddler group and is able to take and collect children from the local school. 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 well settled and have formed good relationships with the childminder. They have access to a range of quality toys and resources that help them to make good progress in their learning and development. Positive partnerships between parents and other early years professionals ensure individual children's needs are met. Documentation is well organised and mostly effective. The childminder has implemented an effective system to self-evaluate her setting and demonstrates a strong capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the processes for undertaking sensitive observational assessments in order to plan to meet children's individual needs and next steps in their learning and development  improve the range of resources within the everyday environment to extend children's awareness of people with disabilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of child protection procedures and has devised a clear safeguarding policy that she shares with parents which supports her practice. Potential risks to children are effectively identified and minimised through a combination of daily checks and written risk assessments. The childminder is clear about notifying Ofsted of any changes or significant events and adults in the household have been suitably vetted. Documentation is well This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 organised and stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality is maintained. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. The welcoming environment that she provides helps children to feel at ease.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic about what she does and shows a sound capacity for improvement. She has attended all of the required training since registration to ensure her knowledge and skills are updated. The childminder regularly reflects on the service that she provides and has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form to help identify her strengths and areas for improvement. The childminder's home is well resourced and utilised to its full potential to provide children with choices about where and what they wish to play with. Children have access to a range of resources, play opportunities and activities, which acknowledge cultural differences. These are less representative of people with disabilities to help raise children's awareness. The planning of activities is flexible and develops through the individual interests and play preferences of the children. This ensures that children benefit from a good balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities.

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the early years provision

Children's individual needs are known and met because the childminder recognises the value of working in partnership with parents and others. She has formed good relationships with parents and regularly talks to them about their children's welfare and development. Letters from parents, shown at inspection, include lots of positive comments about the childminder and the service that she provides. For example, they praise her friendly and caring nature and the homely environment. The childminder is aware of the benefits of establishing and maintaining positive links with other professionals involved in the care and education of the children. She has formed positive partnerships with the local schools, pre-school and other childminders to ensure children's individual needs are effectively met.

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and outcomes for children

Children have formed positive relationships with the childminder and are at ease to go to her for comfort, support and reassurance. This demonstrates that the children feel safe and enables them to make good progress in their personal, social and emotional development. The children know where things are kept and familiar routines help them to feel safe and secure. The childminder's active involvement in children's play helps her to note preferences and interests. Although the childminder clearly demonstrates that she knows the children well, the information gained from observations undertaken as they play, is less convincingly used to plan to meet their individual needs and next steps. Photographs are available for parents to view and the childminder completes a summary report after the settling in period. This ensures parents are fully aware of the activities that their children join in with.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder effectively uses a range of positive behaviour management strategies. She interacts well with children engaging in their play and encouraging their language, resulting in children responding well to her guidance and support. The childminder listens to younger children as they babble, repeating the sounds and noises they make. She gives lots of praise and encouragement as children try This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 new experiences, such as, a young child suddenly attempts to roll over. The childminder smiles and tells the child well done. She tunes into children's feelings, recognising when they become unsettled or tired and she attends to their needs well. Discussions around numbers, shape and colour are incorporated in every aspect of children's play and learning. Children have access to a selection of mark making resources and activities are available such as paints, chalks, paper and

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and outcomes for children

crayons. Children access books and the childminder reads stories and sings songs with them. The childminder regularly visits the local library and loans books to enhance the selection available to children. Children access programmable and electronic resources and enjoy playing with musical toys.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn about safety aspects both inside and outside the home, because the childminder talks about fire and road safety. They are actively learning about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Food provided by parents is stored appropriately and children's awareness of healthy eating is promoted through general play and routine discussion at meal times. Drinks are readily available and meals and snacks include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Children enjoy lots of opportunities for fresh air and physical exercise and the childminder ensures that they have appropriate clothing to go outside in all weathers. Children regularly play out in the childminder's garden or go for walks to the local park and toddler groups. 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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