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 256121 Inspection date 31/03/2009 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 1994. She lives in King's Lynn. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding, except for the second bedroom and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The bathroom is on the first floor. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children over five. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She has two rabbits as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She also walks with them to a local park and takes them to a toddler group and to a childminding group.

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Description of the childminding

She is a member of the King's Lynn Childminding Network and the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children have built up secure relationships with the childminder who has cared for them for considerable periods of time and knows them very well. She obtains information from parents to be able to meet their needs. She has developed friendly relationships with parents who express appreciation of the care their children receive. She keeps in touch with current developments through a local childminding group.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the learning environment indoors and out to create a safe but challenging space with resources well maintained and accessible for all children  use observation and assessment to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child and encourage parents to share their knowledge of their children's achievements so thay are involved in the assessment process  help children to recognise the importance of keeping healthy and those things which contribute to this through regular explanation and discussion.

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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 risk assessment is effective in identifying all hazards and keeping them top a minimum both indoors and outdoors (Suitable 28/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 premises, environment and equipment)  carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing (Safeguarding and welfare) 28/04/2009

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provision

Children's welfare and care are suitably promoted. Most of the required documentation is in place for the efficient running of the service and some useful policies have been produced, which are shared with parents to inform them about the setting. The childminder uses her links with a local childminding network to keep up to date and attends training workshops to update her knowledge and skills. Information about any special requirements or preferences is discussed with parents when they start. The childminder has a friendly relationship with parents and chats to them on a daily basis about the children's care. Parents also share information about their children so they can be cared for effectively. In addition, a daily diary is completed with details of what the children have been doing. The childminder has good links with the local playgroup and communicates with them about what the children are doing there.

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provision

The childminder has written risk assessments in place and a daily check list for the environment. However, this is not effective in identifying and minimising all hazards, for example, not all of the socket covers are in place, keys are left in the door and items are left on the stairs, causing a risk to children as they go up and down to the bathroom. Some of the equipment in the outdoor area is not well maintained. The necessary permissions for outings have been obtained and children are kept safe on outings as young children are kept on reins and the childminder talks to them about safety rules when going out. Risk assessment has been carried out for some outings but not for all of them. Children are protected from the risk of fire as a fire evacuation procedure is in place and the childminder practises this with the children so that they will know what to do in the event of a fire. The childminder has emergency procedures in place and takes swift and

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provision

appropriate action in the event of emergencies. Children are safeguarded from the risk of abuse or neglect as the childminder has a clear safeguarding policy and understands her responsibility to refer any concerns she may have about children's welfare. She has recently completed safeguarding training.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has developed good relationships with the children who are happy and settled in her care. They enjoy regular outings to toddler groups, a childminding group and the park. Inside they are provided with a range of appropriate activities and can access a cupboard full of games and toys. Children select games from the cupboard and the childminder sits and plays with them chatting to them and encouraging them to take turns. They also enjoy activities such as cookery and dressing up. Children can play outside when they want to and play with a ball or in the play car. They enjoy feeding the pet rabbits. However, the learning environment is not well organised and some equipment is old and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 broken. Outside the sand tray is not accessible. Children can ask for items but some are not available for them to access independently. The childminder has

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

begun to make observations of children's play and learning and to think about the next steps for their development. However she is not yet using her observations to plan for them as individuals and as a result some of the activities do not provide sufficient challenge and children flit from one activity to another. Parents are well informed about what their children are doing but are not involved in contributing to the learning records and so not sharing their knowledge of children's learning. Children feel very comfortable with the childminder and chat to her as they play games. The childminder asks them about what they have been doing at playgroup and they respond. They enjoy favourite stories together and join in enthusiastically. They are learning some mathematical language such as big and little and puzzles and games aid problem-solving skills. They can use their imaginations as they dress up or play with small world play. Pens and pencils are

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

available for them to draw and write. Children are learning to share, take turns and play together. They learn to be independent as they put on shoes and coats for outside play and help themselves to some resources and put their rubbish away in the bin. Children learn about the world around them as they play in the snow or look for worms outside.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy walks out every day and so get plenty of exercise and fresh air and can play in the garden when they want. The childminder provides wholesome snacks and fresh drinking water is available for them to help themselves to. Parents provide meals and the childminder encourages them to provide healthy options. However, regular explanations about what keeps us healthy are not given through the daily routine to enable children to learn about a healthy lifestyle. The childminder obtains information to meet children's health needs and has first aid training to enable her to deal with any accidents or injuries appropriately. Children are well supervised and learn the rules to keep themselves safe. When going out they learn about road safety and learn what to do in a fire through practising the fire evacuation. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and have formed positive relationships with her and with each other. They are encouraged to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

respect each others' similarities and differences and some resources reflect our diverse world. Children are learning skills for the future as they learn to be independent and play together. 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? 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 provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary 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

 take action as identified in the early years report (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment) 28/04/2009  take action as identified in the early years report (Welfare of the children being cared for). 28/04/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary 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

 take action as identified in the early years report (Suitability of premises and Equipment) 28/04/2009  take action as identified in the early years report (Welfare of the children being cared for). 28/04/2009 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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