Childminder in NorfolkOfsted inspection, 9 Mar 2009

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 EY223006 Inspection date 09/03/2009 Inspector Deirdra Keating

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and three children aged nine, 11 and 22 years in Watton, Norfolk close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. The childminder has a rabbit, a cat and two African land snails.

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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. She is currently minding five children who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) years. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 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 collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of an approved childminding network and is currently in receipt of funding for early education for three and four-year- olds.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children thrive in the childminder's excellent care. The friendly homely environment welcomes all children and families helping them to feel valued and safe. The childminder is an extremely knowledgeable and skilful practitioner who is solely dedicated to providing high quality care and education. Children's needs are exceptionally well met because the childminder works very effectively in partnership with parents. The childminder is continually working to improve her already high quality practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that all adults involved in the care of children have an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding issues and can implement the safeguarding policy and procedure appropriately, with particular regard to any allegations made against themselves.

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provision

The childminder is very well qualified, experience and ongoing training enable her to provide extremely well for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The superb organisation of resources gives children lots of confidence to explore and learn. A good range of policies and procedures underpin all areas of the childminder's practice and ensure that children are cared for by suitable adults in a safe environment. Children are safeguarded and the childminder follows a written This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 policy, however, the childminder is unclear about how she might manage an allegation made against an adult in the setting.

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provision

The childminder is strongly committed to ensuring that her service is inclusive for all families. Parents are very warmly welcomed and receive good information about their children's care through the use of diaries and detailed handovers at the end of the day. Children are transported daily to a range of local provisions where the childminder has systems of communication between all providers that the children attend to ensure good continuity of care.

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provision

The childminder has high aspirations for the quality of care and education she provides and conscientiously reflects upon her practice using her ongoing professional development as a secure knowledge base. Self-evaluation is comprehensive and takes into account the views of parents; this is used to clearly identify targets for further improvement. A recent example of this is that parents expressed they would like more access to childrens' records. This has been acted upon by the childminder who takes care to monitor their comments and views in order to continually improve her practice. The childminder also is extremely proactive in the local area and uses professional support and guidance to improve outcomes for the children in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder works extremely hard to ensure children's welfare is promoted to a very high standard and children are all inclusively welcomed into her setting. Children eat healthy meals together around the table and have free access to play in the garden where they enjoy many activities outside in the fresh air. Children are actively encouraged to wash their hands and told why it's important. They play on the trampoline and develop their physical skills on the slide, they use equipment safely developing an understanding of safe play. The childminder proactively teaches children about safety and organises trips to the local fire station to help support the children's understanding of fire and matches.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children have built close and trusting relationships with the childminder and are relaxed and comfortable in her care. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable home with a large designated conservatory which has a wide array of resources of toys and resources. These are presented well for children to self- access and promote an enabling environment that encourages children to make free and independent choices in their play. Consequently, children participate in activities with high levels of involvement singing contentedly as they are fully absorbed in their play. The childminder has an excellent understanding of positive behaviour management and provides a calm consistent role model, simple and child-friendly house rules are displayed for children and parents. Consequently, children are learning to share toys, treat one another respectfully and gain new skills which will help them in later life.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has linked the indoor and outdoor environments extremely well so that children can move freely between them. The garden has been exceptionally well arranged to represent a stimulating and challenging learning environment. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The playhouse has been creatively made into a role play garden centre and houses innovative and creative resources to help children learn through play activities. Children are provided with writing equipment, a till, and real resources such as compost, flower pots and garden tools. Children develop their independence as they learn to manage their own personal needs; they are encouraged and given lots of praise and attention by the attentive childminder. The house is reassuring and comforting for all children, while providing interest through novelty from time to time. The childminder gives the children bubbles to blow in the garden, children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

show their wonder and delight as they watch the bubbles float in the wind.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder records some planning but mainly plans retrospectively in order that children can make choices in their learning and follow their interests. Her assessments identify what the children can do and the next steps of learning in their record 'journeys'. It is the childminder's secure knowledge of each individual child that enables her to promote and extend the children's learning exceptionally well. Records and discussion clearly evidence that all children are making extremely good progress in their learning and development and that parents truly value their children's record 'journeys' in which they have made meaningful and positive comments. 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? 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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