Childminder in Norfolk

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 256168 Inspection date 16/09/2008 Inspector Andrea Caroline Snowden

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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

This childminder has been registered since 1999 and lives in a small South Norfolk village near Attleborough. Childcare is provided at this setting each week day between the hours of 07.30 and 18.30 hours. Children have access to a range of facilities including outdoor play and the premises are easily accessible.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for 6 children under the age of 8 years at any one time. There are currently 15 children on roll aged between 10 months and 11 years. Of these children, six are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). They live locally and attend nearby village schools. This provision is registered by Ofsted 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 is suitably qualified and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

This childminder provides effectively for the children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are happy, well stimulated and are generally making progress. They benefit from their childminder who ensures they access a broad range of activities which are adapted to meet every child's individual level of ability. Children's welfare is effectively promoted and the strong partnership with parents and others promotes children's development and learning. The childminder has begun to use self- evaluation techniques and most of the required records are in place. She demonstrates a real willingness to develop and improve experiences for the children she cares for.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop a systematic and routine approach to using observations in order to plan the next steps in children's developmental progress.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing (Safeguarding and Promoting Children's Welfare). 31/10/2008

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provision

The children's health, welfare and learning needs are well promoted because the childminder keeps accurate and detailed records. Additionally, appropriate This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures are followed to effectively safeguard children. She has a clear understanding of child protection issues and is able to respond to concerns. There are some policies in place which help promote children's welfare and reassure parents that any complaints will be dealt with effectively. The risk of infection is minimised because the childminder adopts effective practices in the home and helps children to learn about the importance of personal hygiene. The childminder is developing new systems to ensure dangers on the premises are properly risk assessed, for example, whilst the garden decking is being laid. However, she has not developed these formal risk assessments fully to cover outings. Children play

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provision

and learn in an environment which is safe and secure and they use equipment which is regularly checked for cleanliness and safety.

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provision

The childminder is committed to her own professional development in order to provide higher quality experiences for children. She ensures mandatory training is attended and selects courses such as the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 2 which will enhance her practices further. The process of self-evaluation is still in it's infancy, however, the childminder has already been able to make some changes to her practices, for example, with the recording of observations. As a result children will be helped to make better progress. Improvements have been made since the last inspection, demonstrating the childminders capacity to drive up standards. As a result of these changes children benefit from the better organisation with easier access to the broad range of toys and equipment.

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provision

The partnership with parents and others in this setting is very good and well established. When children first attend, the childminder ensures she gathers information about them in order to promote their health and well-being and also information about their starting points. Communication systems are effective so that parents are well informed about children's progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is able to provide children with activities and toys which she knows interests them. Through observing children in their play she is able to identify their particular favourites and use these to promote learning in other areas. For example, the train set is a firm favourite and is used to help children recognise primary colours, count in sequence and build and construct. Although observations are helping the childminder to identify areas of development for children, the system is not yet ordered enough to ensure that all children in her care receive tailor made experiences. Activities are varied and offered on different levels so that children of all ages can join in and enjoy success, for example, older children are able to paint at the easel, whilst babies sit on the childminder's knee with close supervision. The childminder supports children in their learning and development. She is close by to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

help babies develop mobility providing them with a safe pair of hands to practise walking, and by asking questions of older children she extends activities and promotes their thinking.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Play resources are organised so that children become independent and exercise their free choice. They select items to play with, sometimes returning them when they have finished. Children's choices extend to which area of the home they would This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 like to play in and usually they have access to the garden for exploration. Children show a great interest in the outdoors. On the school run children stop frequently to touch the clematis flowers on the fence, look at the plastic snails or run their hands over the smooth pumpkins growing in the pre-school garden.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are reminded about their personal safety and a two-year-old is able to tell the childminder that the road is 'dangerous'. They practise fire drills and understand how to use equipment safely. They discuss healthy eating and know that if they eat their fruit they will become 'big and strong'. The childminder has identified healthy eating as an issue for development and works with children to encourage them further, for example, by asking them to help prepare fruit for snack. They enjoy quiet times after lunch when they look at books together with the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children generally behave well and the childminder has agreed strategies with parents in order to provide children with continuity. Through early intervention, distraction and explanation the childminder is able to help children develop an understanding of acceptable behaviour in the setting. Relationships have formed and the children are clearly very close. They play harmoniously together and clearly enjoy each other's company.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has forged close links with the parents, pre-school and local primary school. As a result this ensures that children attending the settings are appropriately cared for and that their themes of interest are capitalised upon by all practitioners. Information from the local school is collected by the childminder and passed to the parents, and as a result children benefit from the continuity this offers. 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

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound 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? Good The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Good How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Good

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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

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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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