Childminder in Suffolk

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY268571 Inspection date 11/12/2008 Inspector Glenda Kathleen Field

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Type of setting Childminder 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 report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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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. 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 2003. She lives with her child aged four in premises situated close to the centre of Ipswich. The lounge/diner on the ground floor of the childminder’s maisonette is used for childminding and the children have access to the first floor bathroom and the two bedrooms which are used for children to sleep. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There is level access to the premises. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding two children both of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children, and she takes children to the local library, parent and toddler groups and to the park. The family has two cats and three rabbits. The childminder is an accredited member of the Suffolk Childminding Network and has been awarded the Suffolk Quality Assurance award.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides an extremely effective service for children. They benefit from a warm and loving relationship with the childminder and this aids the children's happiness and security to explore their learning environment. The childminder treats each child as an individual and works in partnership with parents to ensure their needs are met effectively. Recommendations from the previous inspection have been well met. The childminder has a system for place for self-evaluation to develop her practice and is enthusiastic to attend further training courses.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the written record of risk asessments to include all aspects of the environment and outings.

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provision

Children's welfare, care and safety are promoted well. The childminder has attended a range of courses and is currently looking to access risk assessment training. The childminder communicates very well with parents and works closely with them to ensure that children's individual needs are met. Parents speak very highly of the childminder making comments, such as 'the range of activities that take place with minded children never fails to amaze me'. Information about the children's progress and welfare is shared on a daily basis so that parents are kept informed and involved in their children's progress. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are safeguarded as the childminder has the necessary information on what to do if she suspects abuse or neglect and would refer any concerns. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. The premises are organised to

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provision

promote children's safety and children are kept safe when they go out. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments and acts to minimise possible hazards. She has begun to keep a written record of risk assessments, although this does not cover all aspects of the environment and all specific outings. All of the necessary documentation for children's welfare is in place. A register is kept and marked as children arrive and depart to form an accurate and up to date record of their hours of attendance.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make excellent progress in the childminder's care because their individual needs are met and because they are happy and settled. The childminder knows the children well and plans opportunities to support them in their learning and development. She supports them in their play, chatting to them and repeating words to encourage their language development. Children are able to make choices and be independent as resources are organised so that they can select items for themselves and put them away again. Children choose books from the book stand and puzzles are available to develop children's problem solving skills. Pencils and paper are available on a small table for children to draw and make marks and children can use their imaginations using paint or small world resources. Children are helped to socialise as they have regular outings to toddler groups where they are gently encouraged to mix with other children while they

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

build up their confidence and self-esteem. Visits are made to the local library, park and the childminder's allotment where children grow their own fruit and vegetables which they enjoy at snack time. Children behave well and are given consistent boundaries, for example, they are asked to sit down while they finish their drinks and to treat the toys with respect. The childminder builds up her knowledge of the children with information gathered from the parents and uses this knowledge to help children to progress in their development, for example, helping them to settle, gain confidence and begin to mix with other children. She makes comprehensive written observations of children's learning and uses these systematically to plan the next steps for individual children's development across all the areas of their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health is promoted well. They are learning how to wash their hands and can be independent as they stand up at the sink on a step stool. The home is clean and well maintained. A balanced menu is provided which includes healthy options and the menu is shared with parents. Children's drinks are within easy reach and children are encouraged to have plenty to drink to keep them healthy. All of the necessary documentation regarding accidents and medication is in place. Children are protected from infection as parents are asked to keep children who are infectious away from the setting. Children have regular exercise and fresh air every day with visits to the park and play in the garden where they have opportunities for physical play on the wide range of outdoor equipment. Children have room inside to move freely. They learn about safety as the childminder talks with older This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children about how to get out in the event of a fire and makes sure that children know the rules when going out. They are learning useful skills for the future as they learn to play with other children, communicate and be independent. 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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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