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 251178 Inspection date 03/04/2009 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 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 1989. She lives with her husband in Kesgrave, Suffolk, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding, with the exception of the lounge and family bathroom. The childminder has Koi Carp fish.

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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 four children who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) years and who attend part-time. 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 schools and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of a childminding group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are very happy and settled in the spacious and comfortable environment of the childminder's home. Activities are balanced and children make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder demonstrates a capacity to work towards improvement through the use of self-evaluation in which she has identified the need to further develop her knowledge through future training.

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further?

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

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further?

 identify training needs and update knowledge using training made available by the local authority and other sources  extend information from parents in advance of a child being admitted to the provision to include their first language.

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provision

The records and policies for the safe and efficient management of the provision are maintained well and have been reviewed in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage. Information from parents is used to ensure children are cared for in accordance with their individual needs; dietary requirements are catered for and all written consents are sought. However, there is no system to record children's first language within the record system. The childminder provides a safe environment where all who come into contact with the children are suitable to do so. Written risk assessments are recorded and the premises are closely monitored to ensure children's ongoing safety and security. Children's safety is further This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 supported by the childminder's good understanding of the procedures for safeguarding children.

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provision

The childminder has many years experience and provides quality care with some children attending part-time for the whole of their early childhood years. She works closely with parents as children go through their developmental milestones to discuss any concerns and ensure children continue to make progress. Good communication systems include daily diaries and verbal handovers to parents as they collect their children. The childminder also has created good links with local schools that children attend to ensure that communication systems are in place and children attending other provisions can receive good continuity of care.

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provision

The childminder has acted on recommendations raised at the last inspection and has started to monitor her practice by the use of self-evaluation. The childminder has recognised the need to continue to access training in order to be more secure in her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to eat a healthy diet and enjoy their packed lunches and snacks brought from home around the table; home cooked meals are also provided as required by parents. Drinks are offered regularly and children are reminded about sitting still as they drink to ensure their safety. Children are encouraged to play safely outside and learn about road safety as they go out in the local area. The enclosed patio garden leads off the kitchen and has been set out with wheeled and ride-on toys, this enables children to play outside in the fresh air under the close supervision of the childminder. The childminder provides firm boundaries that are consistently implemented by working closely in partnership with parents; this ensures children are safe in the childminder's care and learn to treat one another with respect.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The spacious and clean environment enables children to develop their play on the soft flooring where they can spread out in comfort and relax. Resources are stored in a designated playroom and are regularly rotated to maintain their interest. Children receive warm, responsive care from the childminder who knows them well and consequently they feel secure. The childminder is special to the children who have developed a good bond with her. Babies respond animatedly to lots of cuddles and reassurance as the childminder sits on the floor and makes a train track for another child. The childminder encourages children to count and calculate how many pieces of train track they will need and children start to count and order numbers up to three and beyond. The childminder knows the children well and provides activities for them from general observations of their play. Consequently, they engage with high levels of participation as they watch their favourite train go

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

around the track. Children enjoy imaginary play, using resources such as a doctor's kit where they apply bandages and use stethoscopes. They are making choices and developing self-confidence as they access toys independently from the play room and bring them into the kitchen. The childminder provides a balance of activities both in her home; on trips out and at local groups. She has recently started making regular observations of children's development in written records This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 that have been developed for each child within the EYFS. These are illustrated with photographs of children, they show children making good progress towards the early learning goals and are made available for parents to share. 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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