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 EY265851 Inspection date 23/02/2009 Inspector Deborah Kerry

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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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her family in East Wretham a small village near to the town of Thetford. All areas of the childminder’s house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The property is accessed via a step.

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Description of the childminding

A maximum of four children may attend at any one time and she is currently minding four children in the early years age range, all of whom attend on a part- time basis. This provider is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. This provision is in receipt of funding for early education.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has two dogs, two rabbits, a lizard and snakes in a vivarium.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes children to the local park, library and activity centres. 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 outstanding. The childminder provides exceptionally high care and education for all children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Each child is highly valued and their individual needs effectively met through the excellent partnerships with parents. Children benefit from the childminder's exceptionally well organised and professional approach, ensuring their safety and welfare is fully promoted. A stimulating and creative environment is provided for the children where their independence and self-esteem is promoted effectively whilst they are learning. The childminder's practice is highly effective in ensuring all children are fully included and she has developed good self-evaluation skills to ensure her practice is regularly reviewed and has clearly identified areas of development for continuous improvement.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 develop further ways of encouraging parents to add to their children's progress files.

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provision

The childminder is very well informed regarding safeguarding procedures which ensures that children's welfare is a high priority. She has attended training and ensures that local contact information is available. Safety considerations are paramount, the childminder has rigorous risk assessments in place for all areas This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and the equipment for both inside and outside of the home. Risk assessments also take place before each outing ensuring children's safety is maintained. The childminder ensures that the premises are secure and children cannot leave them unsupervised.

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provision

The childminder has excellent relationships with the parents of minded children and keeps them fully informed about their child's learning and development through daily verbal feedback, she also writes letters and daily diaries on children's achievements. Parents sign children's diaries and have recently written their own diaries on the activities they did with their children over half term to ensure that the childminder is aware of any changes and achievements. However, they do not always add to their child's special folder. The childminder has in place a comprehensive range of policies and procedures to support her excellent practice, she shares these with parents which helps to keep them fully informed about the care and learning she provides for their children.

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provision

Through reflective practice and self-evaluation the childminder improves her high quality practice further, ensuring children's continued progress in their learning and development. For example, she has identified additional training to consolidate and extend her knowledge and keeps abreast of new developments and changes in legislation. She holds a Level 3 qualification in early years, she is a member of a Childminding Network and has monitoring visits every two months to ensure that her high standards are maintained. She is also accredited for funding for early education for three and four-year-olds.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is highly regarded. She ensures that they are very well cared for and their nutritional needs fully met as she shares her healthy eating policy with parents. For example, children have a range of fresh fruit with a drink for snack and chicken and vegetables for their lunch which is freshly prepared. Children's independence is promoted well as they can help themselves to drinks freely from the water dispenser on the fridge to ensure that they are not thirsty. Children's health and medical needs are fully supported through comprehensive policies and procedures. Children have access to physical play each day. For example, they ride on bikes and cars in the garden, have a turn on the swing and fill watering cans to water the new plants that are emerging from the ground.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children flourish in a supportive environment where opportunities for learning are stimulating and based around children's interests. The childminder is totally dedicated to delivering an excellent standard of childcare which is reflected in the children's special folders, daily diaries and the childminder's planning diary. Children are making excellent progress in all areas of learning through a balanced range of adult and child-led activities. They are highly motivated and enthusiastically select resources that meet their interests, which the childminder records along with the next step in their learning. The childminder records children's progress using photographs and sensitive observations to help her plan activities around their interests. The childminder regularly reviews her practice to ensure that the activities provided cover all six areas of learning and that children 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 imagination is promoted as they enjoy dressing-up in different costumes and they help to put together a castle for the princesses to play in. Children show high levels of concentration as they spend time completing their favourite puzzles. Children have excellent communication skills and are confident to relate and talk about the activities and outings they participated in during the half-term week with the childminder and other children. Children have good manners and say please and thank you, they are learning to share and take turns with resources. Children behave well and are given clear boundaries by the childminder, she offers them positive praise for their efforts and the rules are displayed and clearly explained to children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children take part in a range of activities to develop their understanding of the wider world. They celebrate a wide range of different world festivals to develop their understanding around other cultures and beliefs. The childminder has completed several courses to widen and develop her knowledge on children with learning disabilities to ensure that they are offered effective support to ensure positive outcomes in their learning and development. 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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

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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