Hewitt Louise Carol

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 256198 Inspection date 15/01/2009 Inspector Lesley Gadd

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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 registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and four children aged 11,10, eight and four years in a small village, near Wymondham, in Norfolk. Most of the house is used for childminding, accept two upstairs bedrooms. There is an enclosed garden for outside play and the childminder also makes use of a local park and other facilities within a short drive of the area. The family has two dogs. The childminder takes and collects children from local playgroups and schools. She has developed links with parents, schools and playgroups to support the care she provides for the children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years. She is currently minding four children aged one to eight on a part-time basis throughout the week. Two are in the early years age range. The childminder is on the Early Years Register and also on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a sound start for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Children are secure and happy, being looked after in this homely environment, where they enjoy a warm relationship with the childminder. Children's individual care needs are well supported and the childminder shows a strong commitment to inclusion for all families that attend her facility. The setting is suitably organised to enable children to participate in a wide range of stimulating activities, however, assessment of children's learning is not yet fully secure. Children's welfare is given suitable consideration overall however, some documentation in relation to safety matters is not up to date.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out regular evacuation drills and record details in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved, with particular reference to children who stay overnight  reappraise your assessment of children's skills to further support their future learning and in order that they are meaningful for parents and children.

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further?

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

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further?

 keep a record of the risk assessments conducted stating when it was carried out, by whom, the date of review and any action taken following an incident or review (Documentation) 20/02/2009  have systems in place to notify any child protection agency without delay of allegations of abuse, with 20/02/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 particular reference to having the relevant contact numbers (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare).

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provision

The childminder has started to assess and evaluate her service through talking and canvassing parents, children and other advisors. However, she does not have a robust understanding of what records and documentation need to be in place under the EYFS at this time and some records in relation to safety matters have not been kept up to date. As a result children's well-being is not entirely assured. An information file is kept for parents about some policy matters. The childminder is aware of possible signs of abuse however, she is unable to fully implement her child protection policy as she does not hold current contact numbers for local child protection agencies. Registers, accident and medication records meet welfare requirements to ensure children's safety in these areas. However risk assessments, whilst being carried out, are not being recorded appropriately.

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provision

The childminder has attended training in first aid to keep her skills up to date in this area and has implemented some of the recommendations since her last inspection to further improve the service on offer to the children and families who attend. Parents give written permission for the childminder to seek medical advice in an emergency and smoke detectors have been interlinked to ensure they are operational at all times. The childminder's registration certificate is displayed and parents' receive clear information about their children's day through the use of daily dairies.

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provision

The childminder has a positive approach to developing partnerships with parents/carers, playgroups and schools to support continuity of care for the children and ensure individual needs are accommodated. Systems are in place to gather information about the children's requirements from parents before their children attend to ensure their care and some of their learning needs are met. Parents' receive regular information about activities the children have enjoyed and positive comments from parents about the childminder's care of their children include 'extremely nurturing', 'patient', 'good art activities' and 'help with homework'.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are keen and make good progress in their learning and development from an early age. The childminder has a developing knowledge of the early learning goals for children which she uses to ensure children explore a range of stimulating activities. Assessment records and photographs of children's activities are kept in individual scrap books however, the childminder's assessments of children's future learning and skills are not meaningful for parents and children. As a result children's learning cannot be entirely secured in all areas. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Young children show strong concentration and perseverance skills developed through having an attentive childminder. She makes time to sit alongside children, asks open questions to extend their thinking and supports them well in their play. A card game selected by a younger child is used by the childminder to develop the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

child's awareness of counting rhythms and they enthusiastically call out the numbers in sequence, clapping with delight at their success. This aids children's reasoning and number skills. Children's interest in the environment is supported as they enjoy a spontaneous opportunity to splash in the snowy puddles and collect leaves to make pictures. All children like to dress up, make tea, sing on the karaoke game and play with the pretend toys, promoting children's imaginative skills. Babies show good eye contact with the childminder and 'burble' and screech merrily when exploring their vocal skills. Older children talk eloquently about their animals at home including how 'mummy' 'cleans out the pet rats'.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have many opportunities to explore messy activities which stimulates their senses and creativity. They enthusiastically use glue, glitter and make models out of clay to take home. Children benefit from the daily fresh air on walks, sometimes with the dogs, to exercise their lungs. The childminder encourages the children to develop their physical skills as they play on the equipment at the local park and use small utensils when helping with cooking activities. Children are developing a strong awareness about their local community and the childminder is active in promoting the wider world to develop children's understanding about others. Children's taste buds are stimulated as they enjoy trying different foods during Chinese New Year and they enjoy learning about the southern hemisphere during Australia day celebrations.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are warmly welcomed into an inviting environment where furniture and play activities can be self selected by the children for play, promoting their independence. The premises are secure and the childminder effectively supervises the children at all times, indoors, to maintain their safety. The childminder offers children nutritious meals, with fresh fruit for snacks and home made roast chicken dinners to actively promote healthy eating. Children are well behaved and polite. Their positive behaviour is actively encouraged through lots of attention and praise which fosters a positive self-image for all those that attend. Older children are grasping a good sense of acceptable social behaviour through the positive house rules agreed by the childminder. 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? 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? 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

 keep and implement a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children (Arrangements for safeguarding children, this also applies to the voluntary childcare register) 20/02/2009  keep a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints (Procedures for dealing with complaints, this also applies to the voluntary childcare register) 20/02/2009

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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 stated in the compulsory register 20/02/2009  take action as stated in the compulsory register 20/02/2009 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

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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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