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 EY273796 Inspection date 09/02/2009 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

The childminder was registered in 2003, when living in Kent, and moved to King's Lynn in 2004. She lives with her partner, and two children aged 14 and 16 years, in King's Lynn. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. She walks with children to a local toddler group and pre-school and drives children to 'Tumble Tots' at the local leisure centre.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to children over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The family has two dogs.

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Description of the childminding

She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a welcoming and homely environment. They are happy and settled and have established secure relationships with the childminder who knows them well and provides appropriate activities to help them to develop. The childminder is beginning to put systems in place to evaluate her practice and to observe and assess children's learning. The childminder communicates with parents on a daily basis to keep them informed and to ensure that children's needs are met.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the self-evaluation system to provide an effective tool in identifying areas for improvement  develop observation and assessment of children's achievements in order to effectively plan for them as individuals, using information gained from parents about their starting points and involving parents in the process  extend opportunities for regular outdoor play and develop the use of the outdoor area so that it provides children with opportunities for challenging physical play throughout the year.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the record of risk assessment is effective in identifying all hazards and that it includes a full risk assessment for each type of outing (Documentation) 16/03/2009 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 policies have been developed to provide parents with information about the setting. The childminder has begun to seek parents views of her service and has begun to complete a self-evaluation form although this does not yet clearly identify areas for improvement. The actions raised at the last inspection have been addressed, improving the outcomes for children. The childminder gathers information about children's needs and backgrounds when she is settling children in. The childminder communicates with parents on a daily basis, telling them about their children's day and a daily diary is completed for younger children. She uses links with the pre-school to discuss what children have been doing to ensure that they have some continuity of care.

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provision

Children are kept safe as checks are carried out to ensure that the environment is safe. Fire evacuation procedures are practised with the children on a monthly basis so that they will know what to do in the event of a fire. The childminder has suitable procedures in place to keep children safe when taking them out and takes emergency details with her. She maintains a record of some of the checks she carries out. However, the record of risk assessment is not fully effective in identifying all hazards and showing what actions have been taken to minimise risk and there is not a record of risk assessments for each type of outing undertaken. The childminder has all the necessary information to be able to safeguard children from the risk of abuse and she would take action if she had a concern about a child.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. She is aware of their stage of development and provides them with appropriate activities. Children make sufficient progress in their learning and development. The childminder sits at their level and interacts with them, chatting to them and repeating words to encourage language development. Toddlers are provided with a range of suitable toys which they can choose from. Older children can get items out for themselves or ask for toys they want. Children who are beginning to be mobile are supported as they pull themselves up and walk unaided. Push along toys and baby walkers are provided to encourage them to practise their skills and they can move about in their environment with confidence. Children enjoy regular informal outings to other childminders and to a toddler group to help them to socialise. They also go to a regular 'Tumble Tots' session at the local leisure centre to give them opportunities

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

to be active. However, opportunities for regular challenging outdoor play are limited as the garden is not in use throughout the winter and is not well resourced with suitable play equipment. Older children have opportunities to paint and draw and be creative. Books are available and children enjoy looking at them on the childminders lap. Puzzles and games encourage problem solving as do shape sorters and cause and effect toys. The childminder talks to children when they are out about features of the world around them and cookery sessions provide This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning opportunities. The childminder has begun to keep scrap books to record what children are doing and informs parents about their achievements. She provides activities which are relevant to the children. However, she is not using observations of children's achievements to plan for them as individuals to help

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

them to progress in their learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health is adequately promoted. Children learn to wash their hands and are provided with individual flannels to dry their hands to minimise the risk of cross-infection. Suitable procedures are in place for changing nappies. The childminder uses disposable gloves and disposes of nappies appropriately. The home is clean and toys are cleaned on a regular basis. Children walk to pre-school and so have some fresh air daily, although opportunities for outside play are limited. Parents provide some snacks and meals and the childminder provides a balanced menu for those parents who wish her to provide food and tries to encourage healthy eating. The premises are secure and the indoor environment is checked daily. The family dogs are kept in a separate area from young children and the childminder ensures that children are supervised closely when the dogs are present. Children are taught about safety issues as they discuss road safety

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and draw pictures about it and as they practise the fire drill. Children are learning skills for the future as they learn to play together and share resources. The childminder encourages children to have positive attitudes to other people through the provision of resources and through discussion. Early literacy skills are promoted through resources such as letter puzzles. 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? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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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

 develop a written statement of procedures to be followed for safeguarding children from abuse or neglect (Arrangements for Safeguarding Children) 16/03/2009 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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