Edwards Kirsty Joanne

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 EY226043 Inspection date 06/04/2009 Inspector Hazel Meadows

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and two sons, aged eight and six years, in a house in east Ipswich. Access to the premises is via one small step. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding activities but children predominantly play in the dedicated playroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has two rabbits and a hamster.

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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 six children in this age group, most of whom attend part-time. She also offers care to children aged over five to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She walks to local schools to take or collect children and attends local toddler groups. She takes children on outings to local parks and play areas and to nearby places of interest.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides a warm and welcoming, child-focussed environment, where children can thrive. They are offered a broad variety of fun play and learning experiences, both in the home and on outings, and consequently make good progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder's home is safe and well-equipped and most documentation is in place to ensure children's welfare. The childminder maintains positive and trusting partnerships with parents to ensure continuity of children's care. She is sensitive to children's individual needs and values diversity. She has established effective methods to monitor and promote children's progress towards the early learning goals and is beginning to reflect on her practice to make ongoing improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 attend safeguarding children training to support and maintain up-to-date knowledge of Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) policies and procedures  ensure each child's complete records and information are easily and quickly retrievable in an emergency.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out a full risk assessment for each type of 17/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outing, maintain a record and review as required. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare)

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provision

The childminder organises her home, resources and routine very well to meet children's individual needs and, consequently, children are happy, well-behaved and relaxed in her home. She has a positive and inclusive attitude and approach to diversity, which is reflected in her policies and some resources. She is very attentive to child safety and has made her home a safe place for children to play freely. She has clearly written risk assessments for her home which are reviewed regularly, however, she does not have a risk assessment for each type of outing. The childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding children but has not yet attended appropriate training. She is planning to attend the next available training course this year. She is clear of her responsibilities and knows what action to take if she had concerns about a child. She has addressed all the recommendations from her previous inspection, demonstrating the capacity to

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provision

improve and has begun to reflect upon her practice by completing a self-evaluation form, clearly recognising the value of highlighting strengths and identifying areas for development.

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provision

The childminder develops very trusting partnerships with parents and encourages frequent two-way communication to ensure each child's individual needs are met. The childminder has written her own clear and comprehensive policies, which are shared with parents and reflected in her daily practice. An information folder containing the main policies and additional information about her practice, plus her training certificates, is made available to parents. The childminder gathers essential details about the children and has signed, written parental consents to ensure children are cared for according to their parent’s wishes.

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provision

All documentation is clearly and thoroughly recorded, mostly on National Childminding Association (NCMA) forms, ensuring children’s welfare is promoted. Children’s records are currently neatly kept in the separate NCMA pads and are readily accessible, although it may take time to collate and gather all the information relating to an individual child in an emergency. Daily dairies are thoroughly maintained for pre-school aged children. These provide parents with an informative outline of their child’s day and include a section for parents contributions. Individual photo folders, containing an attractive visual record of activities done by each child, are maintained and shared with the parents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge of child development and clearly understands that children learn best through play and hands-on activities. She provides a fun and stimulating variety of play and learning experiences to support and extend children’s learning and development. She has established an effective method of written observations and assessments of children's progress through the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 EYFS, which she records in Suffolk County Council Learning Journeys. These observations are clearly linked to the areas of learning and competently used to plan for the next steps in each child’s learning and development. These are regularly shared with parents, who are encouraged to make their own contributions, to promote continuity and progression.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children predominantly play in the child-friendly, well-resourced playroom. Colourful posters, photographs of activities and examples of their work are displayed around the room, helping children feel welcomed and valued. They have many opportunities for creative activities including craft activities such as sponge painting, hand and foot painting and sticking, plus a variety of mark making media such as crayons, chalks and pencils. Dressing up clothes and props such as dolls and buggies are available to support and encourage their imaginative role play. Children learn about living things as they help care for the pet rabbits or hamster. They also have some opportunities to help with planting seeds and plants which are grown for the childminder's allotment. Children enjoy discovering different textures in the garden as they do rubbings using paper and wax crayon on tree bark and bricks. Older children delight in doing experiments, such as making a

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

volcano eruption effect using baking powder and vinegar.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop positive relationships with the childminder and her family and interaction is warm and relaxed. Behaviour is generally good and any clashes between toddlers are managed calmly and fairly by the childminder, who offers distraction or alternative activities and regularly reinforces the need to share and take turns. Children learn about their local and wider community through a selection of books, props and activities, for example, recognising festivals such as Easter and making cards. They also visit local places of interest where they mix with other children and learn to appreciate and value differences, encouraged by the childminder's positive and open attitude towards diversity. On visits and outings, road safety is routinely practised with the children to raise their awareness and understanding and fire routines are practised to ensure all children are familiar with the procedure in an emergency.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise. In fine weather, they frequently play in the garden and use balls, skittles, ride on toys and the swing with increasing confidence and skill. Babies and toddlers have space to move around and develop their coordination. The childminder provides healthy, nutritious and balanced meals and snacks. For example, children regularly have fruit for snack and meals are mostly home made, often containing vegetables from the family allotment. Children can easily access their drinks beakers when they are thirsty, ensuring they are well hydrated. Regularly reinforced hygiene routines, such as hand-washing before meals, help children develop an understanding of how to keep themselves healthy. 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: 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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