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 EY232289 Inspection date 01/06/2009 Inspector Deborah Kerry

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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 has been registered since August 2001. She lives with her family in the village of Ixworth, near to Bury St Edmunds. The whole of the childminder's premises is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. Children also play in the front garden, under supervision. The property is accessed via a step.

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Description of the childminding

A maximum of six children may attend at any one time and she is currently minding eight, all attend on a part-time basis. This provider is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She walks or drives to the local school and pre-school to take and collect children and sometimes takes children for walks to the nearby park or on other outings. The childminder keeps dogs and fish as pets.

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Description of the childminding

She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder supports the welfare, learning and development of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and meets their individual needs well. The childminder has developed good relationships with parents and other settings children attend. She works well with parents and has regular exchanges on children's progress and development. She has systems in place to review her practice and has identified areas for improvement to ensure that children are fully supported in their learning and development.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the exchange of information with other providers delivering the EYFS to maintain children’s progression and continuity of care.

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provision

The childminder has in place all required policies and permission slips to promote children's welfare effectively which she shares with parents. She undertakes regular observations on the children in her care and ensures that parents are kept fully involved in their child's development through daily verbal feedback, diaries and parent questionnaires. Children's records are available for parents to view, they add regular comments on their care and learning through the written daily diaries which ensures there is a good exchange of information to meet children's needs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has in place written procedures to follow if she has concerns for children's welfare with local contact numbers. She has attended training on safeguarding children and is fully aware of her responsibilities to keep children safe. The childminder has assessed areas both inside and outside of her home for

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provision

risks and keeps a record of this. She also ensures that children are protected from potential dangers when on outings as all risks are assessed and recorded. She has also completed risk assessments on all the activities she provides for children which ensures they can explore and learn in a safe environment. The childminder practises the emergency evacuation procedures on a regular basis with minded children to ensure their safety is effectively maintained.

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provision

The childminder has attended EYFS training to help to further develop her practise and ensure children's learning and progress is fully supported. She has taken steps to review her practice and has identified areas for improvement to ensure that children's individual needs are fully supported. However, the childminder is caring for more children than the conditions of registration allow. This is an offence unless the provider gives a reasonable excuse. On this occasion the provider did so and Ofsted does not intend to take further action. The childminder took immediate action to ensure that she remains within her conditions of registration and to maintain the safety and well-being of minded children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm, caring environment for children. Children are given space to crawl and can pull themselves up as they walk round furniture, as they learn to walk which supports their physical development well. Older children can access the garden with large equipment, are taken on regular walks and there is space inside for them to move around freely. Babies are given cuddles when they wake for reassurance and the childminder keeps to their home routines with regard to meals and sleeping. Meals are provided by parents and the childminder encourages them to include healthy options and ensures they are stored appropriately to maintain children health. Children are provided with drinks and are encouraged to drink frequently in hot weather to ensure they remain hydrated.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder undertakes regular observations on minded children which shows what they can do and how they are progressing in their learning and development. She has clearly identified the next steps in the children's learning which helps to support their continued progress. The childminder has good relationships with other settings delivering the EYFS and there is some exchange of information on children’s needs to support their progression. Children enjoy a wide variety of creative activities and are developing their knowledge on the wider world through celebrating different world festivals and by going on regular outings and attending local community events and celebrations. The childminder ensures that all children are welcomed and included and works closely with parents to ensure that their individual needs are met.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play well together, they talk confidently to each other and are able to communicate their needs. The childminder encourages speech in toddlers through responding to their babbling in a conversational manner and chatting freely with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them. Children enjoy drawing and colour in pictures and older children are able to write their own names on their work. They build with bricks and talk about bigger and smaller when making comparisons on the size and are able to count how many items they have. Children are learning how to stay healthy as they know to wear sun hats when outside in hot weather and can manage their own personal hygiene needs well. 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? 1 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

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