Crowhurst, Susan Elizabeth

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 EY300845 Inspection date 10/11/2008 Inspector Christine Ann London

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and children aged seven and 13 in a residential area of Norwich. All areas of the property are used for childminding with the exception of the two children's bedroom. The property is easily accessed, although the bathroom is on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a two cats, three rats and two hamsters. The house is within walking distance of local amenities such as schools, the mobile library, shops and parks. The childminder is developing links with the local schools and pre-school to support the care she provides for children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under the age of eight years. She is currently minding eight children under the age of five years on a part-time basis. She is on the Early Years Register provision and also on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder has a Certificate in Nursery Nursing.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are well supported and encouraged to make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder knows them well, treats each child with respect and works consistently to meet their individual needs. Children’s welfare is promoted as the childminder helps them enjoy a healthy lifestyle and keeps them safe. She shows a commitment to training and self-evaluation to improve and develop the service she provides.

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further?

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

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further?

 use observations and assessments to indentify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child  improve the self-evaluation system currently in place  carry out regular evacuation drills and record details of any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

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provision

Children’s care and education is enhanced as the childminder is suitably qualified and she regularly attends training to ensure she is up-to-date with current practice. She has recently attended Child Protection and First Aid training. The childminder makes improvements in line with recommendations given at the last inspection. The childminder has begun the self-evaluation process and is able to identify her strengths and weaknesses in her practice and is accessing training in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 these areas to support her to improve outcomes for children.

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provision

She uses her knowledge and understanding successfully in her everyday work with the children to ensure all are fully included and supported appropriately. A set of written policies and procedures help to guide her practice. These enable parents to understand the service she provides for the children and promote an effective partnership as they work together to meet the children’s needs. Successful links are being formed with the school and groups the children attend. As a result, information is exchanged and the childminder passes on this information to their parents as required. Parents express their pleasure with the service through very positive comments on a questionnaire. The childminder has a complaints procedure which she shares with parents to advise how any concerns may be dealt with.

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provision

Children's welfare and safety is promoted well within the premises. The childminder is able to protect children from harm or neglect as she has an understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and signs and symptoms of child abuse. She also has an effective vetting procedure in place. This provides reassurance to parents that the childminder and household members are suitable to have regular contact with children and therefore promotes their safety. Suitable safety equipment is fitted within the premises. However, the childminder does not practise or record evacuation procedures. The childminder has started to complete risk assessments and records action taken to minimise these to maintain children's safety.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are enabled to make good progress across all areas of their learning and development. This is because the childminder has a clear understanding of the EYFS which she uses to plan enjoyable activities for the children both inside and in the fresh air. She has started to develop an effective system to assess children’s progress and records the achievements in a book which helps parents understand what their children can do and strengthens the partnership in their children’s learning. However, although the childminder is able to say how she uses the observations and assessments to identify learning experiences for each child to plan the next steps in their learning there are no records to support this.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make many of their own choices of activities which help to promote their independence. They are confident in expressing their wishes knowing that the childminder will listen and value what they say and do. For example, the children express a wish to make their Pudsey bear pictures so they help to organise the activity in the kitchen; finding an apron and selecting the tissue paper to be used. The children lay out the prepared bear drawings and glue sticks talking about how they need to cover the bear in yellow and put his eye bandage on. They consider number, size and shape as they model and construct and learn about the living world as they feed the birds, grow vegetables and explore the local environment.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children freely access a good range of appropriate resources confidently making their own choices. They enjoy meals together sitting at the table in the kitchen and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 sleep according to their individual requirements in a manner agreed with their parents. They climb and slide, ride a range of wheeled toys and take part in a variety of activities in the garden which helps to promote a healthy lifestyle. Children receive meals and snacks that are appropriate to their personal needs and learn about what is good for them. Routine activities help children learn how to manage their personal hygiene and how to keep themselves safe when in the home or out and about with the childminder. Children’s behaviour is good. This is because they receive appropriate guidance as they learn right from wrong in a supportive environment. 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? 2 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

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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