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 EY305283 Inspection date 10/03/2009 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 2005. She lives with her husband and three children, aged 20, 16 and 14 in King's Lynn, in Norfolk. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and the small front bedroom on the first floor is used for sleeping only. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog, four chickens and a hamster.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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 range. An exception to allow her to care for four children in this age group at specific times and for specific children has been made by Ofsted for a limited period. She is registered on the Early Years Register. She also offers care to children over five. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder collects children from local schools and pre-schools and takes them on regular outings to toddler groups, 'Tumble Tots' and baby ballet as well as occasional outings to local attractions.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and a member of an accredited childminding network, The King's Lynn Cluster group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children's individual needs are met as the childminder knows the children in her care well and provides learning opportunities based on their interests and abilities. The childminder provides a warm, welcoming environment for children and an inclusive service. She reflects on her practice and has a realistic view of her strengths and weaknesses. She uses her local contacts as part of a childminding group to access training and keep up- to-date with current developments.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further written systems for observation and assessment to clearly identify learning priorities and plan for each child, involving parents in the process by encouraging them to share their knowledge of children's starting points and acheivements.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 07/04/2009 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 promoted well. Most of the required documentation is in place and a set of written policies, which cover many aspects of the service, are given to parents as part of a 'parent pack'. These are currently being reviewed and updated. The childminder is experienced and well-qualified, with a Level 4 qualification in childcare and education. The childminder uses self- evaluation effectively and is aware of the areas she needs to develop. Parents receive good information about the service through the 'parent pack', when they start, newsletters and noticeboards. There is a regular daily exchange of information with parents about the children's care, verbally and through daily diary sheets and booklets. The childminder obtains information about any specific requirements and children's routines when they start, but parents are not currently contributing to the assessment process with their knowledge of children's starting

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provision

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. The childminder carries out daily checks on the environment and supervises children well. Action is taken, when necessary, to minimise hazards. There are good procedures in place to keep children safe on outings and a record of risk assessments is kept for some of the outings undertaken. However, there is no written record of risk assessment for some outings. The fire evacuation is practised regularly so that children will know what to do in the event of a fire. Children are safeguarded from the risk of abuse or neglect as the childminder has a clear safeguarding policy and is aware of her responsibility to refer any concerns about children's welfare. She has all the necessary information, including the referral number and has recently completed safeguarding training.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder organises a good range of appropriate and interesting activities, including regular visits to toddler and childminding groups, walks in the woods, visits to 'Tumble Tots' and baby ballet. Inside, children can move about freely and choose from a range of toys which are placed at their level and are easily accessible. There are opportunities to get involved with craft activities at the dining room table. The childminder knows the children very well and is aware of their stages of development. She is beginning to use observations to record their achievements and uses her knowledge to ensure that activities are geared to individual children's interests. Systems for observation and assessment are not yet fully developed and observations are not yet being used to plan for individual children. The childminder has begun to ask parents to contribute to the records but they are not yet doing

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children communicate confidently with the childminder who listens to them sensitively and values their contributions. She talks to them about past experiences such as going to nursery in the snow or events such as family holidays. Children learn to problem-solve as they do jigsaw puzzles and count items such as buttons, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 as they put aprons on for painting. Children can be creative. They enjoy experimenting with paint, painting their hands and arms and feeling the paint on their skin. They explore making sounds with different objects and with musical instruments. Children of different ages and stages join in at their own level. The childminder recognises when children initiate their own play and allows them to use equipment in a way different to that intended, making up their own games. She extends their play by making suggestions or fetching items to extend the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

game. Activities are planned to enable children to learn about the world around them, including topics that teach them how to keep healthy and safe and incorporating festivals from other cultures. Children use the computer, concentrating well and completing some programmes without support. Although the garden is currently out of use, children can play on the small paved area and go out with the childminder to collect the chicken's eggs. They have opportunities for fresh air every day as they take walks in various places such as in the woods. Children who are beginning to be mobile can pull themselves up on the furniture and walk independently. Children's independence skills are promoted as they cut up fruit for snack with real implements and feed themselves. They are learning to be aware of each others' needs and encouraged to help each other.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health is promoted well. They are offered a healthy snack of fresh fruit and children help to cut up the fruit. Parents provide packed lunches and the childminder encourages children to make healthy choices when they eat. She introduces topics such as 'healthy eating week' to get children to understand what constitutes a good diet. Children's drinks are kept within easy reach and they are able to help themselves. Good hygiene is observed and children learn how to wash their hands. A small poster in the bathroom reminds them of the occasions they need to do this. Separate flannels are used for hand drying to minimise the risk of cross-infection. Regular outings to develop physical co-ordination take place. Children learn about safety as the childminder talks to them about road safety and introduces topics such as 'road safety week'. She also reminds them, while they are playing, why they need to be careful. Children are happy and settled. They

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

play co-operatively, helping each other, for example, older children help to put a bib on younger children. They are learning useful skills for the future as they learn to be independent, play together and develop literacy and information technology skills. 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: 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 07/04/2009 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 07/04/2009 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 which 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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