Childminder in Suffolk

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 250714 Inspection date 04/02/2009 Inspector Lynn Denise Smith

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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 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 1993. She lives with her husband and one adult child in Felixstowe. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group, takes children to the library and to the park. The childminder has regular links with other local childminders.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding 11 children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. Five of the children are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 12 years. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has three pet guinea pigs.

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Description of the childminding

A low step to the main door provides access to the premises. The bathroom is situated on the ground floor. The childminder provides parents with a written prospectus which provides them with details about her service.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. Superb knowledge of each individual child's needs enables the childminder to provide them with a caring, warm and consistent environment in which their learning, development and welfare needs are effectively met. Children are safe and secure at all times as the childminder carries out rigorous safety checks, however, at present the risk assessments in place are not being recorded in line with the EYFS. Children make excellent progress in their learning and development through a process of planned and free play activities, the superb partnership between the childminder and parents and other settings enhances their learning considerably. Rigorous self- assessment and reviewing of procedures ensure that priorities for improvement are identified and quickly acted upon and that the setting is providing a fully inclusive service for all families.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop risk assessments in line with the EYFS. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children are cared for by an extremely well-organised and efficient childminder. She has many years of experience to bring to her service and continuously updates her provision by reviewing her knowledge through training courses and seminars. The childminder is extremely committed to good quality childcare and holds two quality assurance awards through the National Childminding Association and through her local county council.

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provision

Records and documentation are extremely well-maintained and regularly updated to ensure that the childminder has correct contact and emergency details for all parents. An excellent and very professional set of written policies support the childminder's practices and are effectively shared with parents. The childminder encourages parents to play an active role in their children's progress, she uses the information they initially share with her to form a base for future achievements. The children's development records are shared with parents and a very full and jovial daily diary keeps them up-to-date with every activity their children has participated in during that day.

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provision

Robust procedures are in place for ensuring that all adults living on the premises are appropriately vetted and clearance details are kept on file for parents to see. All visitors to the premises sign into the visitors book to provide an accurate account of adults the children have had contact with. Children are superbly protected from potential harm as the childminder demonstrates extensive knowledge of her responsibilities with regards to safeguarding children. Extensive self-evaluation and a clear policy for reviewing practices enables the childminder to clearly identify areas for improvement. Partnerships with parents, other settings and support networks enable the childminder to provide a consistent and coherent service for the children in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare, learning and development is superbly promoted by an enthusiastic and professional childminder. Children's individual needs, likes and dislikes are quickly identified and used to form their individual planning. Children develop an excellent understanding about keeping healthy as they follow the childminder's clear directions and also participate in activities based around being healthy. They understand the need to keep safe as they carefully follow the childminder's directions such as holding on to the pushchair as they walk along the road and climbing carefully onto and off of the chairs. Children thoroughly enjoy being physical indoors and outdoors. They regularly access the childminder's well- equipped garden on a daily basis as well as visiting local parks and playgrounds. Children enjoy a range of meals at the childminder's house. They are encouraged to make choices about their meals and snacks and are provided with a superb

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children freely move around the ground floor of the childminder's very welcoming and child-friendly house. They generally enter the premises through the side gate This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 where they are greeted by a huge brightly coloured 'welcome' poster. They safely self-select toys and resources which are stored at their height in the playroom, lounge, dining room and under stairs cupboard. The resources are well-labelled for easy identification.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Minded children are extremely valued and their individual needs respected. The childminder is committed to providing a fully inclusive provision and ensures that children have good opportunities to talk about their home lives and learn about the needs of others. They celebrate a good range of festivals and have beautiful books available to them which enable them to develop their understanding and explore issues such as separation and death.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children actively develop at their own pace as the childminder provides them with a superb range of adult-led and child-initiated play opportunities. The activities on offer cover all six areas of learning and the childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of how children learn. Clear observations enable the childminder to plot children's progress against the stepping stones and inform their future individual planning. Children are confident speakers, they enjoy conversing with each other and with the childminder. They have excellent opportunities to make marks and to develop their handwriting skills. They learn about nature as they plant flowers and vegetables in the garden and have fun caring for the family's guinea pigs. Children use methods for problem solving, reasoning and numeracy in their every day activities. They burst into spontaneous song throughout the day, recalling their favourite songs and rhymes.

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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? 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

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