Childminder in Nottingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY427608 Inspection date 24/04/2012 Inspector Janice Walker

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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 their three children aged 10, seven and three years in the Silverdale area of Nottingham. The home is within walking distance of the local park, shops and schools. All areas of the ground floor of the property may be used for childminding purposes along with the bathroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden which is available for outdoor play. The family have two pet cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years at any one time, two of whom may be in the early years age range. Currently, there are five children on roll, three of whom are in the early years range. The childminder provides care all-year round. She has a vehicle available for her use and 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a bright, welcoming environment. The childminder has developed friendly relationships with parents and others caring for children and most relevant information is shared. Each child's individuality is acknowledged which ensures their welfare needs are met. They access good quality toys and varied activities which support them to make steady progress in their learning and development and the childminder is establishing systems of monitoring this. Required documentation is mainly in place and policies and procedures are used appropriately to ensure children are safeguarded and their well-being is promoted. The childminder is in the early stages of using self-assessment as a vehicle to promote continuous improvement.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 27/04/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure assessment systems are fully effective in identifying any gaps in children's learning and make better use of observations and assessments to inform planning so that activities consistently provide an appropriate level of challenge This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  ensure that there are effective systems for sharing information with other providers where the care of children is shared, to fully ensure children's continuity and progression with regard to their learning and development  develop the use of self-evaluation in order to identify the strengths and priorities for development across all aspects of the childminding provision in order to ensure the continual improvement of the provision for children.

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the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. A comprehensive risk assessment helps to identify possible hazards and the childminder undertakes daily checks to ensure that the environment is safe prior to children arriving. They are well supervised and effective use is made of safety equipment to ensure that they can safely explore within their identified play areas. The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities regarding child protection, as she has undertaken appropriate training and has written policies and procedures in place, along with related information from the Local Authority Safeguarding Children Board. Robust procedures mean that all adults on the premises remain suitable to be in contact with children. Space within the home is suitably used; toys are stored to be tidily organised and easily accessible. There is sufficient space within their play room to explore and investigate. Low-level furniture means they eat in

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the early years provision

comfort and enjoy art and craft activities at child-height.

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the early years provision

The childminder is in the early stages of establishing her provision and has made a sound start to her childminding business. She is establishing appropriate support systems, such as, contact with other local childminders to seek advice and share good practice. She is also beginning to make effective use of information from national organisations to influence her provision. She is still in the early stages of establishing systems and procedures but already reflects upon her practice regularly with a view to improving what she provides. Processes are not yet though well enough established to fully support and ensure continuous improvement of her service as a whole. Most required documentation is in place which helps to underpin the safe and efficient management of the provision. However, although the childminder has sought permission from parents each and every time she has administered medication, consent is not always in written form and this is a

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the early years provision

The childminder liaises with staff in other settings where the care of children is shared but systems are not yet securely in place to ensure that relevant information is shared relating to children's learning and development in order to fully support consistency and continuity for these children. She has established warm and friendly relationships with parents. She provides clear written information about her service at the outset and following any changes to her practice. She gathers relevant information from them regarding children's routines, backgrounds and preferences to enable her to meet their individual needs and shares verbally, information about their activities, progress and achievements on an ongoing basis. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are well settled and content in the childminder's care. She creates a bright and welcoming environment where a wide variety of good quality toys are visible and easily accessible. The play room walls are filled with children's creations and photographs of them at play, helping to create an environment where each of them feels welcome and valued. The childminder observes children as they play and develops a sound awareness of what they can do. She makes appropriate use of her knowledge to provide toys and activities which support their continued progress. She makes some written observations of children and uses these to identify some next steps in their learning. However, she has not yet established a system to identify any gaps in their learning and does not always make best use of her knowledge to plan appropriately challenging activities to ensure children are making progress across all areas of their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to make their own selections regarding their play, developing their independence as they do so. Daily routines, such as, those relating to putting on and removing their own outdoor clothes for nursery runs and outdoor play support this well. Children develop their communication skills as the childminder engages with them in conversation as they play and encourages their spoken language through the use of open questions. They practise fine motor skills as they make marks with pencils and paints. Painting activities also provide opportunities to make marks with different materials, such as, sponges and to experiment with mixing colours. Children particularly enjoy battery operated toys, practising their hand-eye co-ordination and learning about cause and effect as they manoeuvre a car using a remote controller. They learn about their local community through weekly visits to the local toddler groups, along with visits to other local

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and outcomes for children

childminders, which also support their developing social skills by providing opportunities for larger group activities. Selected television programmes support their awareness of differences in the wider world and also provide opportunities for learning non-verbal communication.

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and outcomes for children

Children remain safe as the childminder provides good levels of supervision. They begin to learn about possible dangers and how to keep themselves safe through routines, such as, coming down the stairs and reminders of house rules, such as, no running indoors. The childminder supports children's good health by providing regular snacks and meals which are well-balanced and nutritious. She maintains high standards of cleanliness within the home and ensures children learn good personal hygiene routines, such as, hand washing before meals and after using the potty. Children enjoy regular opportunities for fresh air and physical activity. The garden contains a wide selection of toys which provide physical challenges and regular trips to local parks enhance this. Children behave well. The childminder gives consistent messages regarding her expectations of their behaviour and learn well what is acceptable and what is not. For example, they learn to say please

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and outcomes for children

when they want something off one of their friends and to say 'thank you' after they have received it. If a child states they don't like what another child is doing, then this must be respected. Children participate in regular group activities, such This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 as, meal times, singing and story times during which they learn to share and take turns. As a result of their experiences, they are beginning to acquire the skills they will need for their continued learning and development. 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 3 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 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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 3 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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