Childminder in NottinghamshireOfsted inspection, 3 Apr 2012

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY436583 Inspection date 03/04/2012 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 was registered in 2011 and lives with her husband and adult son in a residential area of Mansfield, north Nottinghamshire. The family has a pet dog. There are local amenities close by, such as, schools, shops and parks. The entire house is used for the purpose of childminding with toilet facilities accessible on both the ground and first floor. There is a fully enclosed and secure back garden for outdoor play. The premises are accessed from the front of the property, up one step with sufficient parking available outside the home.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time. There are currently two Early Years Foundation Stage children on roll. Children attend on a part time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a teaching qualification.

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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 promotion of all children's development, safety and health is effective ensuring children make good progress. The childminder organises resources mostly well to ensure children's individual needs are met and fully respected. Partnerships with parents and others support the ongoing changing needs of children well. Records, policies and procedures are very comprehensive and extremely well-organised. The childminder understands the benefits of using reflective practice 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 of toys, resources and activities that positively promote diversity

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded effectively because the childminder is confident in her role and fully understands her responsibilities. A robust and clearly written safeguarding policy is shared with parents from when the child first starts. Children's safety is further enhanced because the childminder is effective in the strategies used to minimise hazards to children. Daily, visual risks assessments are undertaken prior to children arriving at the childminder's home. Robustly written risk assessments are completed for the home, garden and all outings. Safety This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 gates, cupboard locks and effective supervision of children support them in feeling safe to explore.

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the early years provision

The organisation of day works very well. The childminder fully respects children's individual needs, such as meal and sleep times and school runs. The childminder promotes a warm, stimulating and fun environment where children are happy and confidently explore. Toys and resources are attractively presented and easily accessible. This enables the youngest of children to develop their independence skills when self-selecting toys of their choice. A good range of activities and experiences in the home, garden and whilst on outings enhance children's all- round development. However, there are fewer opportunities for children to access resources and activities which promote diversity and other's similarities and differences. Comprehensive and well-organised records, written policies and procedures successfully support the practice and delivery of the welfare requirements. These effectively underpin the running of the childminder's business

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the early years provision

A well-presented port folio supported by discussions informs parents of the service that is offered. Colourful and attractively presented development files are regularly shared with parents keeping them up-to-date with their child's progress. Furthermore, certificates and additional childcare information is accessible in the entrance to the home enabling parents to view them at their leisure. The childminder understands the importance of effective communication whilst respecting and valuing parents wishes. The childminder actively encourages all those involved with the child to contribute to meeting the child's needs. This also supports children's learning and development. The childminder reflects well on the service that she provides through self-evaluation. Furniture has been rearranged to promote the safety of children and to assist in their development. Regular discussions with parents also help the childminder improve practice. Since

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the early years provision

registration the childminder has completed all required courses and training, such as paediatric first aid and the Introduction to Childminding course. The childminder is also very effective in transferring her teaching skills into supporting children's learning and development within the home.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is effective in implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage into her practice. She has a very good understanding of how children learn through play and is very knowledgeable of child development. Regular observations are undertaken either planned or spontaneous and there is a very good balance of child-orientated and adult-lead play. The childminder assesses each child's stage of development and plans purposeful activities to support their individual next steps in their learning. These link closely to the early learning goals. Stored in each child's development file are photographs, creative samples of art work and mark making activities. These are also used to evidence what children have achieved and are shared with parents. Children are active learners and are progressing well in their learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Despite the childminder being in the early stages of childminding she knows the children she cares for very well. Secure relationships are in place between the childminder and children. They are happy, confident and settled. Their self-esteem and behaviour is good. The childminder through discussion and access to some resources encourages children to be respectful of others and embrace differences. Children enjoy their time with the childminder because the childminder creates a warm, safe and welcoming environment. The language skills of children are developing very well. The childminder skilfully engages children to think critically through asking thought provoking questions and allowing appropriate time for children to respond. Additionally, books, story telling and singing enhance children's communication skills further. Children explore with numbers. They recognise numbers as they put them together in sequence, counting up to five.

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and outcomes for children

Children problem solve as they attempt to work out what shapes fit together when they build with construction and large floor puzzles. Creatively, children explore with various textures of paint, water and sand. They enjoy playing imaginatively with small world characters and train tracks, pushing engines along the tracks that they have just built. They know the sounds that the engine makes, shouting out 'choo choo'. Children access various local community facilities. They enjoy spending time at the local childminding group, making and decorating baskets for Easter. Children talk about how they get to the group and the importance of using an umbrella to stop them getting wet from the snow and rain.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and safety is actively promoted. Children spend time in the garden and parks enjoying the fresh air and exercising their large muscle skills. They are learning the importance of preventing germs from spreading. They know to wash their hands after they have used the toilet and before and after eating. Regular drinks and well-balanced meals are provided by the childminder which adhere to children's dietary needs. Discussions with the childminder promote children's awareness, such as developing their understanding of road safety. Additionally, children regularly participate in fire evacuation drills. The childminder understands the importance of encouraging children to learn the skills that they will need for the future. A range of programmable toys, mark making activities and daily tasks and activities are an every day occurrence. Consistent routines and expectations help children feel secure. This helps them to embrace new and

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and outcomes for children

challenging activities and experiences whilst enjoying and achieving. 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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