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 EY377971 Inspection date 12/01/2009 Inspector Melanie Calway

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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 was registered in 2008. She lives and works with her husband, who is also a registered childminder, in King's Lynn. They have two children aged 11 and 14 years. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access to the property is by means of a small step. There is a downstairs toilet and the childminding takes place on the ground floor.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for six children at any one time and is currently minding two children in the early years age group. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks with children to a local park and drives to take and collect from local schools and pre-schools and regular outings such as 'Tumble Tots'. The family keep four cats and hamsters and there are fish in the tank. Children have access to the cats.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder generally provides effectively for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children benefit from a welcoming and homely environment. They are happy and settled and have formed secure relationships with the childminder and her husband, who also works at the premises as a registered childminder. The childminder is beginning to put systems in place to evaluate her practice and to observe and assess children's learning. There is a good two-way flow of information about children's care between the childminder and parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop procedures for the safe use of the trampoline  develop the self-evaluation system to provide an effective tool in identifying areas for improvement  develop observation and assessment of children's acheivements, identifying the next steps for their progress and use these to plan activities to extend their learning, involving parents in the assessment process.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken, including risk assessments for each type of outing 16/02/2009  obtain written parental permission for seeking any necessary emergency medical treatment or advice. 16/02/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children's welfare, care and safety are suitably promoted. Most of the required documentation is in place for the safe and efficient running of the service and some useful policies have been developed, which are shared with parents to inform them about the setting. The childminder and her husband, who works alongside her, discuss what they need to do to develop the service and have started a self-evaluation process, although this does not yet clearly identify areas for improvement. The childminder communicates regularly with parents at drop-off and collection times to keep them informed about what their children are doing and parents are encouraged to share any useful information that might affect the care of the children. Informal links also exist with the local nursery which children attend.

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provision

Children are kept safe as the indoor and outdoor environment is checked on a daily basis and the environment is secure. However, a record of risk assessment is not maintained, which shows who carries out the checks, how often they are reviewed and what steps are taken to minimise any risks which have been identified. A netted trampoline is available outside. Children are supervised at all times and encouraged to play safely but procedures for the safe use of the trampoline have not been developed. Children are kept safe on outings as they are encouraged to hold hands or are kept in buggies. Emergency numbers are taken out and the car is fitted with appropriate seats and belts. Safety rules are explained to children. However, a written risk assessment is not carried out for each type of outing. Children are protected and safeguarded as both the childminder and her husband have undertaken safeguarding training and are aware of their responsibility to

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provision

report any concerns they may have about the welfare of children. Parents are asked to sign the child protection policy to make them aware of this and a record of existing injuries is maintained.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder and her husband have formed positive relationships with the children in their care and as a result children are settled and contented. Children have space to move and play freely. A selection of appropriate toys are available for the children to play with and further resources are stored under the stairs which can be fetched or which children can choose from. Children enjoy a suitable range of activities and regular outings to other childminders and 'Tumble Tots' where they have opportunities to socialise and for large physical play. The childminder keeps diaries which detail what the children have been doing and some entries include details of children's achievements. The childminder provides activities which interest the children and their individual needs are met but she is not yet identifying the next steps for children's learning and using these to help plan activities to help them to progress in their learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Daily informal communication takes place with the parents, who are given discs of digital photographs which keep them in touch with what their children are doing. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 However, parents are not yet sharing the diaries or being fully involved in the assessment process. Children benefit from high levels of adult attention when the childminder is working alongside her husband. Children's play is uninterrupted by the daily routine as the adults can cover for each other, for example, the childminder does the nursery run while her husband continues playing with the children. Children's language skills are promoted as the childminder listens to the children and repeats words to develop their communication. Children smile and show pleasure as they name the pet cats. Toys are provided to develop children's hand-eye co-ordination. Children enjoy stories and have opportunities to use

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

pencils and crayons to write and draw. Puzzles and games are available and the children are learning to count as they play and learning shapes and colours. Children have regular opportunities to play outside and enjoy outings to outside play areas and parks. Cookery activities give them valuable learning opportunities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health is promoted well. The home is clean and well-maintained. Even very young children learn about personal hygiene as they learn to wash their hands before eating and dry them on their own towels. Drinks are kept within easy reach so children can help themselves from their beakers throughout the morning. Healthy snacks and lunches are provided by the childminder and parents are given sample menus so that they know what is provided. A travel cot is available for children who need to sleep in comfort. Most of the required documentation regarding children's health and safety is in place and the childminder has an emergency plan and works with other childminders to provide emergency cover. However, the childminder has not obtained prior written permission from parents for seeking medical treatment or advice in the event of an emergency. Children are cared for in a safe environment. The premises are secure and stair gates restrict

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

access to certain areas so that children can explore their environment safely. Children learn about dangers and know that the taps are 'hot'. The childminder has a quiet and calm manner and children's behaviour is managed in a positive way through praise and distraction. The house rules are positive and encourage children to respect each other and their environment. As a result children play happily and feel secure in the setting. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 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 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.

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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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