Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY422139 Inspection date 17/01/2012 Inspector Ann Keen

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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 three children aged seven, four and two years old in Hucknall in Nottinghamshire. The whole of the ground floor 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 three children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than one may be in the early years age range. She currently has two children on roll. She minds children from 8am to 6pm. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder has completed a relevant childminding course.

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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 establishes warm and caring relationships with children. She provides an effective play environment and generally uses observations well to plan the children's next steps. Children are kept safe. She has effective systems in place for emergency evacuation of the house, although, she has yet to practise these. Children's needs are appropriately met because the childminder establishes positive links with parents and shares daily information to ensure continuity of care. The childminder reflects on her service and demonstrates a good 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 observations to identify clear learning priorities for children  practise regular evacuation drills and record details in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

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the early years provision

Good safeguarding arrangements are in place and the childminder has a clear understanding of the issues involved. This ensures that a child at risk would be identified and protected promptly. Checks for all adults living on the premises have been completed to help ensure children's safety. Children's well-being is given priority and the premises are safe and secure, for example, the front door is kept locked. Risk assessments are undertaken to minimise hazards. The childminder has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 all the required policies and procedures in place to support children's health, safety and well-being. The certificate of registration is displayed, so that parents have access to relevant information, helping to safeguard children. Any accidents are clearly noted and children's hours of attendance are also recorded. This ensures children are protected effectively. All confidential information is kept locked away.

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the early years provision

The home is well planned, in order to meet children's needs. Good use is made of the available space, so that children are able to move around freely and have independent access to the toys. Children can use a good range of clean, age- appropriate toys and resources, which include those reflecting diversity to raise their awareness of the wider world. There is positive regard to equality of opportunity, so that each child's needs receive a good level of consideration. The whole of the lounge is used for children's play, so that they are able to sit on the comfortable sofa or play on the floor. There is also an enclosed garden, so children can have opportunities for fresh air and more boisterous play.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established positive relationships with parents. New parents are given a copy of the childminder's policies, so that they are well informed about the provision. There is a good two-way flow of information between the parents and childminder. For example, she sends them secure files of photographs of children's activities. She also discusses the children's needs with their parents. This ensures that they work together to help provide good outcomes for children. The childminder understands the need to communicate with other agencies and providers when appropriate. The childminder has a good attitude towards evaluating the service she provides to improve the outcomes for children. She has started to use the Ofsted self-evaluation form, which has helped her identify strengths and weaknesses within her practice, in order to improve children's experiences.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and happy with the childminder. Their welfare is promoted well in the homely environment. Children benefit from a balanced range of adult- led and child-initiated activities. Planning around the six areas of learning is in place where the childminder decides on a programme of activities for the children that takes into account their interests. The environment is set out with a varied range of toys. The children are interested and consistently engaged in the activities and toys that are provided. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of each individual child and their progression within her setting. She is still developing a system to ensure she tracks each child closely.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is currently only minding children under two years old. She encourages them to enjoy books and helps to develop young children's communication skills as she converses with them and encourages them to say new words. Children have access to various types of equipment to support their physical development, for example, a slide, car and prams in the garden. This enables children to develop muscle tone and coordination. Numbers and counting This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are included as children play, encouraging them to start to understand number order and values. Younger children are encouraged to develop early mathematical skills, for example, through developing an awareness of space. The childminder provides outside activities for the children. They visit toddler groups or go to buy fruit. This helps them to understand the world they live in. Their play is then

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and outcomes for children

extended by using the toy kitchen to role play scenarios.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans activities around festivals from a variety of cultures, which help children learn about similarities and differences in society. The childminder effectively helps children to learn skills for their future development. The childminder maintains a current first aid certificate and has appropriate procedures in place to deal with sickness to ensure infection is not spread. The childminder follows careful procedures when she changes nappies, in order to help prevent the spread of infection, such as spraying the changing mat with anti-bacterial spray. The childminder has a system for emergency evacuation of the premises, but has not yet practised a fire drill to familiarise children with procedures. This could pose a risk to children's safety. She encourages healthy eating, for instance, by providing strawberries and grapes at lunch time. Children are well-behaved and respond well to the childminder's friendly manner. The children feel safe in her

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and outcomes for children

care as she is kind and warm towards them. 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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