Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY433913 Inspection date 24/04/2012 Inspector Alison Putnar

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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 two children aged 18 months and five years old. They live in Meden Vale on the outskirts of Mansfield, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor, plus toilet facilities on the first floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear of the premises, which is available for outdoor play. Care is offered Monday to Friday all year round, excluding bank holidays.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years, of whom, two may be in the early years age group and of whom, one may be under one year old at any one time. She is currently minding two children, one is in the early years age range. The childminder 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

A welcoming, homely and inclusive environment is provided, in which all children are well cared for. Appropriate attention is given to meeting children's diverse needs. Good relationships exist between the childminder, parents and other settings children attend, ensuring that their care and education is promoted. Systems to monitor children's progress are in place and are effective in helping children to develop further skills. On the whole, suitable measures are in place to safeguard children. The childminder uses methods of self-evaluation to identify key strengths and areas for development, demonstrating a positive attitude and ability to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop more secure understanding of safeguarding children issues to enable the safeguarding policy and procedures to be implemented more effectively if needed  promote positive attitudes to diversity through increasing activities that encourage children to talk about similarities and differences and the reasons for these, helping children to learn to value aspects of their own and other people's lives. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sensible attitude to maintaining children's safety. She has an adequate understanding of safeguarding issues, in relation to protecting children from harm and neglect. She has developed some policies and procedures to guide her in this area, although, some details are missing, which could cause delay in the event of having to report concerns. The childminder implements effective practice to keep children safe on a daily basis through close supervision and ensuring that the home is safe through daily checks. She has undertaken risk assessments for her home, garden and for outings to ensure the risk of accidents are reduced. The home is well maintained and organised effectively to offer spacious and comfortable areas for play, rest and meals. Children freely flow into the garden to benefit from physical play and fresh air. Flexible daily routines provide opportunities for play in the home and at local community resources.

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the early years provision

Arrangements for observation and assessments are good, enabling the childminder to plan enjoyable and challenging learning and development experiences that are tailored to meet individual children's needs. All children are included in activities to challenge perceived stereotypes, for example, boys and girls take part in baking together. Fewer activities are considered to help children explore the similarities and differences of the wider society in positive ways.

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the early years provision

The childminder has made a good start to her childminding business. She uses her experience and knowledge of working in childcare settings to provide a professional service in a friendly and homely environment. Through self- assessment, she identifies areas for improvement and takes action to address these for the benefit of the children. For example, through reorganising her storage, children have independent access to toys and resources to extend their enjoyment. She continues to identify further areas for expansion, such as making more use of the garden to widen children's learning experiences, but has yet to implement these to have maximum benefit on the children. The childminder has attended required courses and shows a positive commitment to development through seeking and taking on board advice from other registered childminders. She values parents' views and actively seeks their input through the use of

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the early years provision

questionnaires. She obtains all relevant information when children first attend and keeps organised records to ensure that children's safety and welfare is maintained. Parents are kept well informed of their child's events and progress through daily discussions and through sharing written records. The childminder works very closely with parents to cater for children's individual needs, for example, she developed sticker reward charts for all to use to provide continuity in children's care while supporting toilet training. Effective links are forged with the local school ensuring that all are working together to help children to reach their full potential.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and confident in the childminder's care. Appropriate attention is given to supporting children's personal independence skills in preparation for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 nursery and school. For example, time is taken to support children with skills of putting on their own coats and shoes or managing toileting issues. The childminder's interaction with the children is good and she clearly enjoys their company. She demonstrates a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements and as a result, provides effectively for children's needs. Children make good progress across all areas of their development. They access a wide range of play and learning opportunities. Resources are accessible to encourage children to make independent choices and support their enjoyment. Photographic and written labels on toy boxes, support

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and outcomes for children

children to make choices and also helps them to develop early reading skills. The childminder knows the children well and is fully aware of their individual interests, play preferences and achievements. She observes and assesses children's progress and from this highlights next steps for them to work towards. This information is then used successfully to plan further activities to help children build on the skills they already have. For example, a baking activity is used to support children's mathematical knowledge as they weigh and measure ingredients. Children create place mats for the table with their names on, which helps them to recognise letters in their name and also helps them to feel a sense of belonging. A varied range of craft activities are provided to support children's creativity and enables them to practise using single handed tools for future writing skills. The childminder takes note of children's interest when planning activities to keep them actively involved.

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and outcomes for children

A child engages in play and develops their imagination when playing with their favourite dinosaurs, solving problems as they build a dinosaur house with blocks or practising pencil control and mathematical skills as they draw dinosaur feet and discuss the sizes.

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and outcomes for children

All children are valued and the childminder helps build their confidence and self- esteem through praise and encouragement. Appropriate behaviour, such as using good manners, sharing and taking turns is encouraged. Children are included in discussions about house rules and expectations for behaviour, helping them to take responsibility for their own actions. They learn how to keep themselves safe during outings and in the home, such as practising crossing roads safely. Young children understand to sit properly on chairs at meal times to prevent falls. Children's good health and well-being is supported and positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection. Good attention is given to keeping the care environment clean and children adopt good personal hygiene routines. Their dietary needs are met as the childminder ascertains relevant information relating to their individual needs. Children learn about the benefits of healthy eating and

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and outcomes for children

the childminder offers nutritious snacks and fresh fruit each day. Regular drinks are provided to ensure children remain hydrated. Frequent opportunities for outdoor activities enable children to develop a positive attitude to exercise while they also benefit from playing in the fresh air. As well as developing their physical skills outdoors, children begin to explore aspects of the natural world as they help to plant and care for flowers or care for the pet rabbit. Children explore a variety of textures when playing with sand, water and corn flour activities. The childminder is sensitive to the needs of young children, providing utensils for those less keen to explore these new experiences with their hands. 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 3 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 3 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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