Childminder in NottinghamshireOfsted inspection, 18 May 2012

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY421369 Inspection date 18/05/2012 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. She lives with her husband and young child in Hucknall, near Nottingham. The family have a pet cat and a pond of fish. Access into the property is up one step and there is sufficient parking available outside the home. The whole of the house is registered for childminding purposes although, the ground floor is mainly used with additional toilet and sleeping facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There are local facilities within walking distance, such as shops, schools and parks.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years, of these, three may be in the early years age group and of these, one may be under one-year-old at any one time. There are currently four children on roll and attend various times and days throughout the week. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a recognised childcare qualification at level 3.

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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 are making excellent progress in their learning and development because the childminder tailors activities to each child in her care. Highly effective partnerships between parents and most other professionals ensures children's individual needs and their progress are met well. Effective health and safety strategies are implemented successfully supported by robust records, policies and procedures. Good use is made of self-reflection to continually improve the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the system used to share relevant information with other professionals to identify further planning for children's continuing learning and development.

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the early years provision

The safeguarding of children is good. The childminder has a secure understanding of her role and responsibility to keep children safe. A clearly written safeguarding policy is in place which is also shared with parents from the onset. Furthermore, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effective safety strategies are implemented, such as checking identification of all visitors and the use of safety gates to prevent children accessing areas that may pose a hazard. The childminder supervises children very well both indoors and outside. Robustly written risk assessments undertaken annually are in place and clearly identify potential hazards to children. Action is taken and recorded enabling the childminder to track children's safety. Furthermore, daily visual checks are also undertaken to optimise the safety of all children in the home, garden and when on outings. A good range of comprehensive and robust records, policies and

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the early years provision

procedures are organised and maintained very well. These successfully underpin the service that the childminder provides. All requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are met and implemented well into her practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very well organised. She makes good use of resources within the home, garden and local facilities. Toys and resources are easily accessible and used carefully to support children's all-round development and individual needs. For example, steppers are in place to help children reach the sink to wash their hands. Well-organised toys are presented attractively and also encourage children to use their self-help skills. This is because the toys are stored at low-level and are easily accessible for the youngest of children to reach. Good use is made of the home and garden where children explore and investigate with enthusiasm. Additionally, the childminder uses the local community to help children learn about the world around them and the people and animals in it. She takes them for walks in the wood learning about nature, to shops and libraries to help them be respectful and behave well in public. All children are treated with equal concern

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the early years provision

and are encouraged to access and be involved in all activities. They are actively involved in learning about other's similarities and differences. Children are very well supported through extremely positive and sensitive support from the childminder.

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the early years provision

Very positive partnerships are in place with parents. Extremely complimentary comments are included in completed written questionnaires by parents. They place a high value on the service that the childminder provides. Information is exchanged in a variety of ways according to the individual requests from parents, such as written or daily discussions when dropping their child off or when collecting them later. All parents are given an in-depth 'parent pack' which clearly highlights policies and procedures that the childminder effectively adheres to. The childminder works closely with other professionals involved with children, although there is less emphasis on the child's learning, development and progress needs. Effective use is made of self-evaluation. The childminder has a good understanding of the benefits of reflecting on the practice she provides. She regularly reviews all records, policies and procedures and plans carefully if any action is required to

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the early years provision

make improvements. Parents are regularly encouraged to contribute their ideas and suggestions for improvement. Furthermore, the childminder is member of a childminding forum where support, ideas and best practice is shared. All required courses since registration have been completed. As a result, the outcomes for children continue to improve even further. 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 extremely happy, settled and confident. The childminder, whose confident, respectful and extremely focused approach, fully captures children's interest and enthusiasm for learning. Excellently planned and recorded evidence of children's next steps and progress is beautifully presented in each child's folder. These are shared with and contributed to by parents creating a very thorough all- round picture of the child's development. The childminder has excellent knowledge of child development and carefully implements the Early Years Foundation Stage into her practice. The balance of child-initiated and adult-led play is extremely good. As a result, children make excellent progress in their learning and development whilst having lots of fun.

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and outcomes for children

Children explore with great enthusiasm and motivation. They thoroughly enjoy playing imaginatively with a wide range of resources, from cardboard tubes to small-world mini beats characters. Dolls and pushchairs are used with care and attention. The children gently manoeuvre the dolls around the room, picking them out of the pushchair and giving them cuddles. Children's language skills are developing really well. This is because the childminder continually talks to the children, reinforcing correct pronunciation. She listens to the children and asks questions appropriately for the children to be able to understand. This also empowers children enhancing their confidence and self-esteem. Furthermore, a wonderful range of hard-backed colourful, textured books are used very well by the children. Turning pages, confidently using their small muscle skills, pointing out and naming favourite characters. Children are forming extremely, warm

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and outcomes for children

relationships with their peers and the childminder. The childminder creates a calm, relaxing, homely environment implementing clear boundaries and expectations for the youngest of children to adhere to. Minor unwanted behaviour is dealt with calmly, sensitively and swiftly. Children respond very positively with cuddles and kisses. They apologise and recognise that what they have done is not acceptable. The childminder praises them on their good behaviour. She uses lots of soft warm tones, positive words of praise and encouragement supported by positive facial expressions. This helps children feel safe and comfortable. Children's awareness to others is promoted extremely well. The childminder has a very positive approach to inclusion, such as using words of encouragement ensuring all children are invited to participate in chalking. Small world figures, books and discussions enable children to learn about other religious and cultural festivals. Children are

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and outcomes for children

encouraged to develop a sense of their own identity and culture through every day activities, building on their own interests.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy outdoor play. They excitedly collect their shoes ready to go outside to feed the fish in the pond. Their safety awareness is very good because they know not to stand too near the securely covered pond. As they feed the fish they say 'hello' as the fish come up for the food. This really excites the children wanting more and more fish food. They happily take it in turns to delve into the fish food pot to get the food. Once the activity has finished, children recognise the importance of cleaning their hands. The childminder reinforces this through very positive discussions and using individual wet wipes for each child. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 This helps children consolidate their understanding in how to stop germs spreading and keep healthy. Furthermore, children experience a very good range of activities that consistently promote their health, safety and well-being. Outdoor play is a

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and outcomes for children

daily event providing children with fresh air and exercise. Healthy and well- balanced meals and snacks adhered to children's individual dietary needs are planned very well. Children show great enthusiasm for mark making. This is evident as they draw on the chalk board and pictures display their individuality in artwork. Numbers are used in daily tasks and activities, such as counting how many bread sticks they eat. Programmable and investigative toys are accessed every day. Children show particular delight as they look at themselves in the mirror, laughing and squealing as they see their reflection. These all help children very successfully learn and underpin the skills they will need for the future. 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 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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