Childminder in Nottingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY427818 Inspection date 17/04/2012 Inspector Tina Garner

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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 family, including her adult child and five-year-old child, in the Highbury Vale area of Nottingham. The home is within walking distance of local facilities including shops, parks and schools. It is close to local bus and tram routes. The premises are accessible by one step. All areas of the ground floor may be used for childminding along with the bathroom and a small bedroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family has a pet cat and a rabbit.

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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 voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years at any one time, three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. The childminder is working towards a level 3 early years qualification and receives support from the local authority. She 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

Children settle well into the childminder's home and take part in a broad range of interesting activities that cover all aspects of their learning and development. The childminder provides an inclusive service where each child's individual needs are well known and met. All required policies and procedures are in place to support children's care and well-being. Good working relationships have been developed with parents and others involved in the children's care and education. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude and commitment to continuous development and has recently introduced systems to evaluate her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the system of assessing and recording children's progress, clearly prioritising their next steps, and use the information to plan practical play activities to help each child reach their full potential  ensure the record of risk assessment includes those undertaken for all outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes the necessary steps to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. A clear safeguarding policy is in place and shared with parents. This, together with her attendance at training sessions and access to appropriate This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 guidance materials and contact numbers, enables her to identify the indicator signs of abuse and take appropriate action. Risks of accidental injury are effectively minimised because the childminder supervises the children well and carries out regular risk assessments of all aspects of her home and garden. Safety equipment is used according to the age and needs of the children attending, for example, cupboard locks are fitted, fire detection equipment is maintained and the premises are secure. Consequently, children are able to move around safely and independently. However, while all outings have been effectively risk assessed,

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the early years provision

these have not all been fully documented. Robust procedures are in place to record and monitor any accidents and for the safe administration of medicines. As a result, children's health and well-being are effectively promoted.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is well resourced and utilised to its full potential to provide children with choices about where and what they wish to play with. Children have access to a wide range of resources, play opportunities and activities which acknowledge cultural differences. The planning of activities is flexible and develops through the individual interests and play preferences of the children. This ensures that they benefit from a good balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities.

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the early years provision

Children's individual needs are known and met because the childminder recognises the value of working in partnership with parents and others involved in the care of the children. She has formed strong relationships with parents to ensure that she cares for their child in accordance with their wishes. She communicates well with them and information gathered is effectively used as a basis on which to build the children's care and learning. Daily chats keep parents up to date with what their children have enjoyed doing during the day, along with information about their care. The childminder has made sound links with other early years providers to ensure continuity of care for all children. The childminder has recently begun to evaluate her practice, but she can see how this helps to identify her strengths and any areas that she can further develop in the future. This demonstrates her commitment to further improvement.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides an inviting environment and children are taking steps to become independent learners through self-initiated activities as they access and choose resources for themselves. Toys and equipment are made readily available in clear plastic boxes placed at the child's level, which include a range of small world resources, games, role play equipment, construction toys and books. Children are beginning to extend their language skills, problem solve and recognise shapes, colours and numbers in everyday activities. The childminder ensures all children are included and engages them in adult-led activities, sparking their interest and developing their imagination and physical skills. For example, children enjoy making Easter baskets, decorating eggs and taking part in egg and spoon races. They build on their independence and confidence as they use a range of equipment, such as crayons, glue sticks and paints. Children independently access

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and outcomes for children

books and enjoy learning phonics as they look at pictures and identify different letters. Their awareness of the environment and appreciation of nature are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 enhanced as they enjoy trips out to local parks, adventure playgrounds and various play settings.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress, given their age, ability and starting points. They are provided with a good range of activities planned by the childminder that are led by their own interests. These offer appropriate challenge for the children's individual needs across the different areas of learning. Each child has their development regularly monitored to assess each child's progress towards the early learning goals. However, links between the observations and planning are not yet fully secure. Children are helped to learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, by learning about road safety when they are out and about. Successful personal hygiene routines are followed and children enjoy healthy snacks and meals, all of which help them to develop a healthy lifestyle. Children demonstrate that they feel a sense of safety and belonging in the childminder's home because they are happy and settled. They respond very positively to the childminder's kind and calm

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and outcomes for children

manner. She praises and encourages them enthusiastically, increasing their sense of achievement and promoting positive behaviour. 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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