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

p.1

Unique reference number EY318728 Inspection date 27/05/2009 Inspector Sarah Johnson

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and 16 years in Stowmarket, Suffolk. The whole of the ground floor and main bedroom on the first floor of the childminder's house are used for childminding and a secure enclosed garden is used for outdoor play activities. The premises is accessed via the front entrance which has a low step and there are toilet facilities on the ground floor. The family has a cat, hamster, two rabbits and a fish in a tank as pets.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of six children under eight years may attend the setting at any one time, and of these, no more than three children may be in the early years age range. There are currently 13 children attending on a part-time basis. Nine of these children are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) years. Children live in the local area and some also attend sessions at nearby pre-schools. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years, both before and after school, and during school holidays.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder escorts children to and from the local primary school and pre- schools, and she attends several social groups with the children on a regular basis. She holds a relevant early years qualification to National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children are settled in the safe and inclusive environment of the childminder's home. Children make sound progress in their learning and development as they are offered a range of play opportunities, which meet their interests and stages of development. The childminder works in partnership with parents, helping to ensure that sufficient information is exchanged and each child's individual needs are consistently met. The childminder is in the early stages of developing her self-evaluation processes.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 consider using a wider range of tools for self-evaluation to ensure the strengths and weaknesses of the provision are identified  develop the assessment records further to ensure the observations and assessments are matched to the aspects of learning and development in the EYFS, and open up opportunities for parents to contribute to the records.

p.3

further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  complete an appropriate paediatric first aid course (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare: also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 08/07/2009

p.3

provision

Children are cared for by a childminder who demonstrates a professional and caring approach and has sound knowledge of how to promote children's welfare, learning and development. Although the childminder has completed some training courses to build on her knowledge of the EYFS, she has failed to maintain a valid first aid certificate. Consequently, she potentially lacks up-to-date knowledge of how to best care for children when they have an accident. A concise set of written policy statements have been developed and are implemented well in practice to ensure children's well-being and safety. The childminder has sound understanding of her role and responsibilities in protecting children from harm and has established a clear written safeguarding children policy to follow should she have a concern about a child's welfare. Daily risk assessments are carried out to cover all the areas in the home that children access and the childminder considers children's

p.4

provision

safety before embarking on outings. A basic record is kept of these risk assessments and they are reviewed when necessary to address any further potential risks that arise.

p.4

provision

Children experience sound levels of continuity in their care. This is because the childminder develops positive partnerships with their parents and takes time to exchange information during daily discussions. Parents are generally aware that the childminder keeps records of their children's development, however, opportunities for parents to contribute their comments to these records are not fully promoted as yet. The childminder communicates well with practitioners that support children in other EYFS settings, often exchanging information to ensure consistency in meeting children's changing needs.

p.4

provision

The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards improving the early years provision and has addressed the recommendations raised at the last inspection to improve her documentation and children's safety. The childminder is reflective in her approach and often trials the new ideas that she gathers from her discussions with other experienced childminders. As yet, the childminder has not utilised a wider range of tools for self-evaluation, such as the Ofsted self- evaluation form, and therefore, priorities for improvement are not always as accurately targeted as they could be.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are settled and happy in the childminder's care as they freely choose what they want to do and spend time forming secure relationships with the childminder and each other. They become engaged in the sound range of activities that are available in the homely play space in the lounge. Younger children sit talking to themselves contently as they watch the train moving around the large track which This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 is set out on the floor and they independently help themselves to a book when they wish to do something different. The childminder sensitively supports children to approach new experiences with confidence. For example, although at first they are reluctant to get messy, younger children begin to enjoy exploring the paints, sponges and brushes with all of their senses. Children enjoy daily opportunities to be active in the childminder's garden and during visits to the local park. The

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

natural environment is used as a tool in children's learning as they plant flowers in the garden and talk about their need for water and sunlight to grow. Children are learning to identify their own names in print as they find their name card to self- register when they arrive. Children's numeric understanding is well supported as they are encouraged to use numbers and counting in everyday activities. For example, they count the circles they have made with the paint and find the correct pieces to complete a number puzzle.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder takes photographs of children's activities, keeps samples of their creative work and makes short notes of her observations of children's development. This information is collated in a clear developmental record for each child. However, the childminder is continuing to develop her assessment systems and as yet, she is not consistently matching her observations to the aspects of learning and development in the EYFS. Therefore, children's progress towards the early learning goals is not as clearly mapped as it could be in the records.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play co-operatively together, and with positive encouragement from the childminder, they learn to share and take turns. They are beginning to develop an awareness of people's similarities and differences through spontaneous discussions, often inspired by books that reflect a diverse range of cultures and disabilities. The childminder has good understanding of how to maintain a safe environment for children. A sound range of safety measures are in place, including safety gates which are installed appropriately to prevent children's unsupervised access to the kitchen and stairs. The childminder uses real-life situations to teach children how to stay safe. For example, they talk about road safety whilst walking in the local area and regularly practise the route they should take if they need to leave the house in the event of a fire. Children enjoy sociable snack and meal times when they join together to share a healthy diet, including snacks of fresh

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

banana, strawberries and orange segments. The childminder uses snack times to engage children in relaxed conversation and children happily talk about things that are happening in their lives. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.6

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

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.7

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.

p.7

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:

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for). 08/07/2009

p.7

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:

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for). 08/07/2009

p.7