Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY431815 Inspection date 02/02/2012 Inspector Judith Rayner

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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 with her husband and two young children in a suburb of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. There are local amenities close by, such as a park, schools and shops. Most of the house is used for the purpose of childminding with toilet facilities on both floors. The ground floor is mainly used for childminding with bedrooms used for sleeping. The premises are easily accessible. There is a fully-enclosed, secure back garden for outdoor play. The family have two dogs as pets.

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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 four children under eight and when working with an assistant may care for more children. The childminder also offers overnight care. There are currently five children on roll, three 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 recognised childcare qualification to level four.

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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's organisational skills of most resources, provides a welcoming, stimulating home where all children's health, safety and welfare needs are met and fully respected. Children have excellent opportunities in enjoying and achieving. Good partnerships are in place with parents and others involved in the care of the child. Records, policies and procedures are detailed and informative. The childminder uses a good self-evaluation process to identify areas for improvement to ensure the outcomes for children continue to develop.

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further?

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

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further?

 increase the range and accessibility of toys, resources and experiences that positively promote diversity

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded effectively because the childminder is confident and knowledgeable of her role and responsibility to protect children from possible harm. A clearly-written safeguarding policy is in place and accessible to parents. Children's safety is further enhanced due to effective safety strategies that are in place, such as safety gates, table edge protectors and cupboard locks. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder undertakes daily visual risk assessments to ensure all areas of the home, garden and all outings are safe for children. Furthermore, written assessments undertaken annually support the practice of ensuring children are safe in the care of the childminder and assistant. Children are supervised well both inside and in the garden. As a result, children are able to explore safely and independently whilst having fun. Robust and well-organised records, written

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the early years provision

policies and procedures successfully support the practice and delivery of the welfare requirements and the outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises the daily routine well, taking into account each child's individual needs. The childminder and assistant work well together. The assistant undertakes a more supporting role guided successfully by the childminder. For example, preparing food and support during school runs. The childminder and assistant promote a warm, stimulating and fun environment where children are happy. There is a good range of toys and resources that are easily accessible, in a good state of repair and attractively presented. However, there are less resources that promote diversity. The childminder does implement some activities that raise children's awareness of diversity, such as acknowledging Diwali and Chinese New Year. She talks positively and sensitively with children ensuring that all children are included in activities.The childminder ensures children spend time inside and outdoors.

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the early years provision

A good partnership is in place with parents and others involved in the care and learning of children. The childminder works hard to establish secure relationships with parents and other professionals. Information is exchanged in a variety of ways. Daily dairies inform parents of what their child has enjoyed playing with, what they have eaten and how they are settling in. Children's artwork and other information, showing parents and visitors about childcare, play activities and children's activities, is displayed around the home. Children's individual development files inform parents of their child's learning and development progress. The childminder participates in regular discussions between other professionals to ensure children's learning is consolidated. The childminder has a positive attitude and approach to improvement and makes effective use of self- evaluation to monitor the provision to a good standard. All required courses have

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the early years provision

been completed and further training and qualifications have been gained. Parents are encouraged to contribute their ideas through verbal discussions and questionnaires. Children are involved through discussions to improve and increase recourses and activities building on their interests.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is very knowledgeable of child development and is effective in implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage into her practice. She is confident in encouraging children to make independent choices in their play and fully understands how children learn through play. Regular observations are undertaken either planned or spontaneous and there is a very good balance of child-orientated and adult-led play. Activities are excellently planned building upon children's individual assessments, level of ability and interest. These are recorded in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 beautifully presented development files with photographs, creative art and mark making work. As a result, children are active learners, engaged in their play and are keen to explore and investigate. Children have very good opportunities to enhance their all-round development. They successfully progress through the early

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and outcomes for children

learning goals from their initial starting point.

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and outcomes for children

Children's self-esteem is good. This is because the childminder constantly praises them on the smallest of achievements, often using words such as 'well done' and 'good listening and learning'. Children show great confidence from a young age as they explore the dolls, washing them and drying them in towels. They are familiar with the routines and quickly settle. Children enjoy finding their photograph and point out other children's photographs as they say their names. Once they have found their own photograph they mark make using a felt tip to write their name to indicate that they are now with the childminder. Children particularly enjoy the counting and number rhymes. They take turns and make independent choices of whether to hold a coin or a bun counting and problem solving throughout the rhyme. Their mathematical skills are developing very well from a young age. They watch and engage with their peers as they sing and take turns placing the

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and outcomes for children

appropriate items at the correct time during the rhyme. The childminder very skilfully extends children's learning through asking thought provoking questions and promoting critical thinking. Children show great pleasure and enjoyment when again the activity is extended using puppets. They play creatively and imaginatively using their hands to move the puppets as they sing. Outside children explore with great enthusiasm, climbing up small steps of a ladder and slide down the slide. They pull and push trundle toys attempting to fit them in to the play house, unzip tents and crawl in and out whilst having fun.The childminder ensures children spend time inside and outdoors. Children also explore facilities in their local community, such as the library, shops, childminding groups and support centres.

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and outcomes for children

Inclusion is well promoted because the childminder makes every effort to get to know children individually. Activities are adapted and boys and girls are encouraged to play with all toys. Children enjoy the company of the childminder and happily give and receive cuddles and follow easy instructions and tasks. Children from a young age are learning to respect belongings, such as helping tidy up the toys and putting their shoes away in the basket. They explore a range of resources that will help them develop skills for the future, such as programmable toys, mark making equipment and numbers games.

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and outcomes for children

From a young age children learn the importance of good personal hygiene. This is further promoted by the childminder as she reminds them of the importance of washing hands to wash germs away. Effective nappy-changing procedures are in place and individual towels are provided to prevent the spread of infection. Very carefully-planned meals ensure children's dietary needs are successfully adhered to, with well-balanced and healthy menus. Children learn about safety and regularly participate in fire drills learning emergency evacuation procedure. They also learn about keeping safe when on outings and travelling in the car. 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 1 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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