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 EY253525 Inspection date 09/02/2009 Inspector Lesley Gadd

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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. She works with another registered childminder and minds from her co-childminder's property. The co-childminder's husband lives at the property, where the childminder works, on the outskirts of Long Stratton, Norfolk. The downstairs areas of the accessible property used for childminding include a purpose-built playroom, resting room, toilet facilities and there is an enclosed garden suitable for outdoor play. The childminder takes and collects children from local nurseries and schools, where she has developed links with parents, schools and nurseries to support the care provided for the children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years. With the co-childminder they may care for a maximum of six children at any one time. Currently they are caring for 10 children, aged between 18 months and four years, on a part-time basis throughout the week between them, on the Early Years Register, with no more than six children attending at any one time. Both childminder's have equal responsibility for the childminding practice.

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Description of the childminding

This provision is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder has a dog who attends the co- childminder's house when she is working. The dog is kept safe from the children in a purpose-built run and kennel in the garden. The childminder 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 good. The childminder provides a strong service for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She offers a warm, happy and welcoming service where children's welfare is successfully promoted, although risk assessment information is not entirely up to date. All children make good progress towards the early learning goals given their individual starting points, however, assessment of children's learning and planning of activities is not wholly secure. Very effective links with parents and the local school help to build positive relationships and ensure that the needs of all children are well met. Inclusion is exceptionally well promoted for all children who attend.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue with plans to develop assessment of children's skills to further support their future learning and actively recognise their progress  further develop risk assessment records that identify aspects of the environment checked on a regular basis, particularly to comment on potential hazards and what precuations are in place when children are being taken and collected from school and nurseries, meal times and when they are resting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the need to reflect on her childminding practice, in order to identify areas for further improvement. A recent example of this is where the childminder recognised that children were not aware of how to cross the road safely so she has helped them to develop their skills in this area to ensure they are prepared for future independence. The childminder has devised comprehensive and detailed records, policies and procedures to promote the safe and efficient management of the provision. The childminder takes responsibility for ensuring records mostly comply with current requirements and holds an early years qualification to level three. The childminder continues to keep her skills, such as first aid, up to date to ensure she continues to meet the children's needs.

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provision

Children have rich opportunities to develop their awareness of difference and the wider world, helping to foster their future tolerance and awareness of others' needs. They celebrate a range of world wide festivals, dress up in a diverse collection of costumes and discuss different abilities when looking at books and posters depicting people with disabilities. Children are also being encouraged to learn basic sign language to communicate with their friends in different ways and additional equipment has been purchased to ensure that all children can take part in physical activities.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding about how to keep children safe. Children are well supervised, premises are secure and the childminder maintains the risk assessment records that help to identify what steps can be taken to reduce accidents for the children. However, the records do not cover all eventualities with regard to risks when children are travelling to and from nurseries and schools, at meal times and when children are resting in a separate room. As a result children's well-being cannot easily be demonstrated at these times. Children's welfare with regard to safeguarding is very well supported. The childminder has a clear understanding about her responsibilities to ensure children are protected and holds current procedural and contact details, knowing whom to contact should she have concerns about a child's welfare.

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provision

The childminder works very closely and co-operatively with parents, sharing information verbally on a daily basis and showing examples of the children's art pictures to secure children's care and learning. Details are gathered from parents before children start to attend to ensure any requirements from home around their sleeping and eating needs are accommodated. This helps to ensure familiarity around routines which aids children's security. Children's individual progress is discussed with parents and agreements are reached about how to further support children in their all-round development. Parents comment very favourably on the childminder's care of their children including the fact that they are 'confident', 'happy' and 'have lots of fun and learning'. Children express their sense of sadness with cards saying 'I miss you' when they leave the childminder's care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's learning and development is well supported from an early age and they make good progress. They experience an enjoyable, age-appropriate range of activities both initiated by the children and the childminder as she has a developing understanding about the EYFS. However, assessment of children's skills to further support their future learning and actively recognise their progress is not yet fully effective for all children in all areas of learning. Children are keen to take part in activities. They show their flair for completing jigsaws as they spend a long time concentrating well when working together as a group to complete a large floor puzzle, with the childminder's support. This fosters younger children's awareness of mathematical concepts and develops their reasoning and problem solving skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder takes time to set up the home area for play encouraging the children to develop their imaginative skills. Children pretend to wash the dishes and prepare dinner for their dolls. Children's senses are stimulated and their creativity is fostered as they play with paint, water, sand and dough. The childminder is keen to develop children's interest in the environment. Children discuss the weather and what clothing is needed when it is cold and they regularly enjoy exploring outdoors in the warmer seasons. The facilities are organised to promote children's independence and they readily help themselves to a refreshing drink when needed and self-select their play equipment. All children are kind and caring towards their friends and play well together socially when sharing a game of driving trains on a track.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children are secure and confident in the childminder's care. They approach her for a reassuring cuddle when required and trust her to respond to their needs. The childminder is quick to support children in their play and asks open questions to extend their thinking, such as 'which one will fit in that hole?', when she plays alongside them with the puzzles. The childminder provides a running commentary during activities to facilitate the children in their communication. Children use language to describe what they are doing, 'look at me spinning round!' and the childminder is quick to praise and encourage the younger children with their fledgling communication skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health is actively promoted. They relish the opportunities to try new foods including fresh fruit and celery at snack time and discuss good foods for the body to develop their awareness of a healthy diet. All children take the opportunity to exercise their lungs in the fresh air daily outside in the garden. The childminder is qualified in first aid and has an accessible first aid kit to respond if children have accidents and medication and accident records meet welfare requirements.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder ensures that children are welcomed into a safe, accessible home. Facilities are provided for them to have the space to play, indoors and outdoors, eat well, whilst being supported in low chairs, and rest in comfort. Opportunities are provided for children to develop their own awareness of how to keep themselves safe. They practise using sharp cutlery in the dough, being well supervised by the childminder and talk about why it is not a good idea to climb on the chairs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children behave very well in this supportive setting. The childminder guides the children appropriately by being a positive example of how to be courteous and respectful towards friends. Children receive lots of praise and reward stickers to encourage positive behaviour and house rules help older children to develop a strong understanding of right and wrong.

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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

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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? 1 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

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action.

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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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