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 256016 Inspection date 16/09/2008 Inspector Anne Walker

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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 1996. She lives with her husband their two adult children and their 13 and 12-year-old sons in Fakenham, Norfolk. Local amenities are within walking distance of their home. Children have access to all ground floor areas of the childminder's house and the main adult bedroom is used for babies to rest. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor activities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. Overnight care is not provided. The childminder is currently minding three children who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage [EYFS], all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She also cares for six children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The family have a cat.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder's practice does not adequately ensure that all aspects of children's welfare are promoted. The setting is not effectively risk assessed, her knowledge of child protection is not sufficient to fully safeguard children and Ofsted has not been informed of changes to household residents. Positive relationships are established with parents which ensures children's individual needs are understood, consequently children are happy and confident with their carer.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The setting is satisfactorily organised to support children's play according to their individual needs. The childminder is developing her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage to enhance the activities she provides for children. She has begun to focus her planning on child initiated ideas and children are interested and motivated by what she provides. However, the observations and assessments are not fully established so that on occasions challenges are not pitched appropriately for each child.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 take necessary steps to safeguard and promote the welfare of children 30/09/2008  ensure Ofsted is notified of significant changes to household residents who may be in regular contact with children 30/09/2008  take all reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children outdoors are kept to a minimum and conduct full risk assessments for the home and all outings and 30/09/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 review them regularly. To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop the observations and assessments to identify and plan for individual children's next developmental steps.

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provision

Children's welfare, care and safety are not adequately promoted overall because the childminder has not fully risk assessed her provision and recent child protection training has not been fully understood. Training relating to the Early Years Foundation Stage is booked for next year. A required first aid qualification has been maintained.

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provision

Satisfactory records are in place which the childminder uses to promote children's care. Clear details about the children are recorded and taken into account in her day-to-day practice. Ongoing discussions with parents ensures that the children are happy and secure and that their learning and development is fostered according to their individual needs. A well organised information pack with policies is provided for new parents. It gives them details of how the setting is organised and the way play and learning opportunities are provided. Children's achievements are recognised and discussed with parents so that they are satisfactorily involved and able to comment on their child's care and development.

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provision

Not all aspects of children's welfare are promoted. Their safety in the garden is not assured due to a partially uncovered pond which is easily accessible to them. Written risk assessments for the home are not in place and the there is no process to review safety. As a result some aspects such as the pond and emergency evacuation have not been identified or fully thought through to ensure children's safety. Some assessments for outings are in place and the childminder has appropriate strategies to keep children safe when walking to and from school and on their regular outings. Children are well supervised as they rest, play and have their meals and the indoor environment has been made safe for the children currently in her care. Although recent child protection training has been completed the childminder does not fully understand how to adequately safeguard children and does not keep relevant written records. Ofsted has not been informed of a

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provision

change to household residents, as required.

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provision

The childminder uses her regular discussion with parents to monitor and evaluate the provision for children. She has begun to reflect on other ways to evaluate her practice and has a willingness to make improvements where necessary. However, overall the current strategies are not fully effective in helping her to identify the strengths and weaknesses of her provision.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's learning and development is satisfactorily promoted by the childminder. The homely environment and the childminder's organisation of her time ensures that children feel welcome and valued and they are keen to participate in the play available to them. They make clear preferences in their play and are confident to request additional resources that are not immediately available to them. A recent series of imaginative games with play food is used by the childminder to plan activities that may extend their knowledge. Children take part in feeding African snails and Terrapins to see what they like to eat. She has begun to use written observations to help her plan future activities to support each child's progress but these are not sufficiently embedded so that on occasions the challenges for children are not pitched correctly.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Resources are organised so that children know what is available and there is a broad range of play materials that support all areas of learning for different stages of development. Children begin to tackle problem solving as they fit the train track together and are given time to persist. They are interested in books and 'read' to each other by following the pictures. The childminder satisfactorily supports emerging language by talking with children and playing alongside them. They go out and about with the childminder to the library, park and to the local shops.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children get on very well with their carer and each other. They readily turn to her for support and reassurance which she is able to give because she has an understanding of their individual needs. Her behaviour management strategies help children understand each other's differences and develop care and concern for others. She has some figures and books which help develop their awareness of the wider world.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

They learn to keep themselves healthy through daily walks to and from school and activities in the garden and at the local park. Some activities and discussion help them reflect on what food we and others need to keep healthy. Consistent daily routines and expectations when walking outside the home, helps build children's awareness of safety in the community from a young age. 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? Satisfactory The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

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

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

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

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Inadequate

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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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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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 ensure there is a written statement of procedures to be followed to safeguard children being cared for from abuse or neglect and it is observed 30/09/2008 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 registration or the last inspection. 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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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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