Childminder in Norfolk

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 EY283009 Inspection date 24/06/2009 Inspector Christine Ann London

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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 was registered in 1998. She lives with her two daughters aged three and six years in a village, south of Norwich, Norfolk. The whole of the premises is used for childminding, with two bedrooms used for young children to have undisturbed sleep. The home is accessed by a single step from a level entry pathway. A fully enclosed area of the garden is available for outdoor play. The childminder has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five to eight years. Children mainly attend on a part- time basis. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has use of a car to transport children to take and collect children from local schools and nurseries. She attends toddler groups, messy play sessions and music groups on a regular basis. They visit other registered childminders in the area regularly for support and to socialise.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder generally promotes all aspects of the children's welfare and learning, enabling them to make good progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She provides a welcoming and stimulating environment where children are generally safe, secure and healthy. She works closely with the parents and is building valuable links with the schools and pre-schools the children attend. The childminder is beginning to use useful systems to monitor and evaluate her childminding provision to ensure improvements are made where necessary. She attends a range of courses and workshops and is committed in developing her skills further through professional training.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the record of risk assessment to include all outings, with particular reference to the use of the childminder's car  develop the use of systematic observations and assessments to inform planning of children's next stages of development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children's welfare is promoted by the comprehensive written policies and procedures that are individual to the setting, ensuring they reflect her practice. Documentation is shared with the parents and available to them at all times. The childminder works closely with the parents and trusting relationships have developed. Parents provide the childminder with essential information to enable her to care for the children responsibly. She has begun to monitor and evaluate her setting; she is able to identify areas for future improvements in her practice and how these impact on outcomes for children.

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provision

Children are protected because the childminder understands her role in safeguarding children. She is confident to put procedures into practice when necessary. Children are cared for by safe and suitable adults and the childminder ensures that she supervises the children at all times. Recommendations from the last inspection have been effectively addressed which has provided the childminder with additional information to share with parents to raise their awareness of the complaints process and the current procedures they should follow.

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provision

The childminder organises her home to ensure the play areas are safe and free from hazards. For example, a risk assessment of the premises is carried out daily and outings are risk assessed. However, outings using the car are not currently risk assessed, so children's safety could be compromised. The premises are secure; locked doors and gates prevent all children leaving the premises unsupervised. Children have use of travel cots in two bedrooms for undisturbed sleep or rest; they are monitored regularly.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settle well. They are confident and very much 'at home' in the childminder's company and it is obvious that they are very fond of her. For example, children enjoy cuddles and they chat freely to her, involving her in their play, asking for support to put on dressing up clothes and access additional resources. The childminder encourages lots of discussion during their play ensuring they make good progress in their language and numeracy skills. For example, children confidently count and name the colours of the little ponies and match animals in books when the childminder reads with them. Children learn about their own and other cultures through activities, celebrations and resources such as books and dressing up clothes. Reference and story books are used to promote discussion as children learn about similarities and differences. Children's creativity is promoted through activities using a range of media such as collage and paint.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

They make pictures using their painted hands and printing with leaves collected when out walking . Children enjoy role play and have additional opportunities to play with different resources when they regularly visit the local toddler groups, music groups and messy play sessions. These visits also provide valuable opportunities for children to socialise in larger groups and learn to share equipment. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder successfully uses observations to access children's interests and to record their achievements. Each child has their own 'Learning Folder' which is completed and shared with parents regularly. These observations capture some very clear information about the children's development and are used to assess each child's development and identify their next step in learning. However, these next steps are not always included in planning to ensure children's continuous

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn to keep themselves healthy through personal hygiene routines and have daily fresh air and exercise. They receive a healthy and balanced diet and enjoy fresh fruit for snacks. They learn to keep themselves safe by taking part in fire drills and learning how to evacuate the premises safely. Children behave well; they are treated as individuals and with respect. Effective strategies are used to support them to manage their own behaviour and they know their boundaries. The children were involved in creating the house rules and the children present are able to discuss the rules and the outcomes of what could happen if these are not followed. For example, the children explain that if you jump on the settee, you could fall and hurt yourself or someone else. Therefore, children are aware of their own safety and that of others. 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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