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 EY236606 Inspection date 25/03/2009 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

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 has been registered since 2002. She lives with her partner and children aged 20, 17, 15 and five years in a residential area of Carlton Colville in Suffolk close to shops, parks and local schools. The whole of the ground floor of the property, and two bedroom upstairs, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five 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 seven children in this age group, all but one on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 14 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder takes and collects children from local school and nurseries and attends local children's groups on a regular basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the provision is good. The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment in which children settle well and generally make good progress in their learning and development. Partnerships with parents and other settings are effective in ensuring all children are included and their individual needs well met. The childminder follows effective procedures to promote children's safety and welfare within her home and the local community. She is beginning to evaluate her practice and demonstrates a strong commitment to improvement by accessing training to ensure her knowledge and skills are up to date.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop opportunities to plan more challenging play-based learning experiences for more able children to promote their progress towards the early learning goals  further develop system of self-evaluation to prioritise areas for development to improve outcomes for children.

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provision

The childminder successfully organises her home to ensure it is safe and secure so that children can move around in comfort and safety under her watchful guidance. She plans her weekly routines to ensure all children enjoy a variety of activities within her home and the local community. She has just completed an National Vocational Qualification Level 3 qualification and used this training as basis for evaluating her practice and seeking the views of parents, however, priorities for development are not fully identified to prioritise areas for improvement. Children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are safeguarded because she has attended child protection training and as a result is confident in her knowledge of how to protect children and the action to take should she have a concern. She has attended Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) training and has used the information gained to develop her practice, such as

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provision

introducing 'Learning Journeys' as a system of observation and assessment.

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provision

Appropriate polices and procedures are shared with parents to support their understanding of the care provided. The childminder promotes the two-way flow of information with parents and she uses home diaries to share information on the personal needs and routines of the youngest children in her care. Good systems are in place to gather information on children's individual backgrounds and needs to promote continuity of care. The childminder is establishing systems of working in partnership with other settings delivering the EYFS attended by the children in her care to promote coherence and progression.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and secure in the childminder's home where they have ample space to move around in freedom and comfort. She provides children with a balanced range of high-quality toys and equipment which are scrupulously clean and well-maintained. These are generally stored in the conservatory where children can select from an appropriate range that interest and stimulate them and she encourages children to choose from further toys stored elsewhere in the house. The childminder extends her range of toys in response to children's individual interests, such as the extensive range of attractive dinosaurs, consequently children feel valued and included and become engrossed in their play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children regularly attend local children's groups for social interaction, where they develop some understanding of other festivals and cultures, for example, while taking part in food tasting sessions at the local Children's Centre. They enjoy physical play in the child-friendly garden where they have access to a good range of suitable equipment, or while walking to the school and local parks. They develop new physical skills, for example, while enjoying the excitement of trying to balance on the 'wobble board'. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and uses this knowledge to provide children with activities to promote their development. She knows the children in her care well and uses this knowledge to provide them with activities that she knows will interest and stimulate them. However, there are sometimes missed opportunities to provide more able children with learning experiences to fully promote their progress

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

towards the early learning goals, such promoting their interest in using writing as a means of recording and communicating.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Babies develop their understanding of the cause and effect pattern of communication while engaging in playful interactions with the childminder and other children during everyday activities such as feeding and nappy changing routines. Consequently, they develop close and secure attachments in the childminder's care. The childminder joins in with children's play to extend their interest and experiences, for example, while finding items for them to 'iron' during This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 imaginative role play with the play kitchen and ironing board. Children are learning to take account of the needs and feeling of others and the childminder helps them learn strategies for future independence, such as how to ask politely for their turn with a popular toy. Children have opportunities to learn about keeping themselves safe through simple reminders during their everyday play and they take part in

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

emergency evacuations so that they know what to do in the event of a fire. The childminder role models good hygiene procedures and she ensures children follow well-established routines that help them develop their understanding of the importance of good personal hygiene. 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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