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 EY225020 Inspection date 28/01/2009 Inspector Gill Thornton

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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 lives with her children aged eight and six in Thetford in Norfolk, close to parks, shops and schools. The whole of the property is used for childminding. Access to the childminder's home is via one small step and the bathroom is on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and she is currently minding four children in the early years age group, all on a part time basis. The childminder also cares for children older than the early years age group and is registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and belongs to the South Norfolk Childminding Network. She has achieved Children Come First Quality Assurance status. The family has a cat.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder follows effective procedures to promote children's safety and welfare at all times. She works closely with parents to help their children settle and become confident and she is careful to follow their wishes regarding the care she provides. She recognises the uniqueness of each child and ensures all children are valued and included and their individual needs well met. The childminder is beginning to evaluate her provision to identify areas for improvement and she has identified the need to implement a system of using observation and assessment to plan for each child's individual learning needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 make ongoing observations and assessments of each child’s achievements and interests and use these to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child  develop the use of reflective practice to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for improvement that will improve the quality of the provision for all children.

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provision

Children's well-being is promoted by the informative set of policies and procedures which successfully guide the childminder's practice. These are shared with parents to help them understand the care their children receive, thus developing secure This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 working relationships. Home diaries are used to share information on the personal needs of the youngest children in her care and the friendly verbal exchange of information on arrival and collection ensures children's changing needs are met. All the required documentation and consents are accurately maintained to support children's care and welfare. The childminder organises her day around the individual needs and routines of the children in her care, to help form trusting and secure relationships which foster their self-confidence and self-esteem.

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provision

The childminder is an experienced and qualified child carer who is committed to continuing professional development. She regularly attends relevant workshops to update her knowledge and skills. Regular monitoring visits from the childminding network coordinator offer reassurance that that she is providing a good, quality service although those do not always clearly identify priorities for development to improve outcomes for children. The childminder organises her home to ensure the premises are safe and secure to allow children to play under her watchful guidance. Children are safeguarded because the childminder has attended relevant training and she is confident in her knowledge of how to protect children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and secure in the childminder's welcoming home where they have ample space to more around in freedom and comfort. The childminder plans for children's individual patterns of attendance, such as ensuring babies have space to practice their physical skills in safety away from the more boisterous play of older toddlers. She makes good use of the local toy library to extend her range of toys and resources, such as borrowing a stimulating activity station to enable a baby to play and explore in comfort and safety. She knows the children in her care well and has a clear understanding of their interests and abilities based on her sound knowledge of child development. She informally observes what they do and instinctively provides activities to further their interest and learning, such as providing opportunities to encourage young children to enjoy messy play as way of promoting their interest in finger foods. She has bought large 'My Special Books' to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

record observations of children's achievements and interests, but has not yet put this into practice as a way of planning learning experiences for each individual child in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans her weekly routines to ensure children enjoy a variety of activities within the home and community. Children enjoy opportunities for social interaction at the local toy library, where planned activities help them to begin to develop an understanding of the diversity of the wider world. Children have frequent opportunities to experience fresh air while walking to local amenities. In fine weather they benefit from free access to the childminder's safe and stimulating garden where they enjoy activities such as sand and water play or the appealing playhouse with its good range of role play resources.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder supports children's behaviour in a calm and consistent manner and she uses consistent strategies to help them develop an understanding of the needs of others. She role models appropriate hygiene procedures and follows clear routines to ensure her home is clean and hygienic. She works closely with parents This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to meet children's individual dietary needs and she has a clear understanding of food handling procedures, particularly when preparing babies' feeds. Children have opportunities to learn about keeping themselves safe through simple reminders during their everyday play and they take part in regular fire drills. 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? 2 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

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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