Butler Wendy Marie

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 255952 Inspection date 11/08/2009 Inspector Lesley Gadd

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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 1993. She lives with her husband and one of her young adult sons aged 19 years in Wymondham, Norfolk. Most of the accessible home is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have three cats as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years. There are currently 10 children on roll, five of whom are in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and they attend on a part-time basis throughout the week. The childminder 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 is a member of the Local Childminding Group and holds a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Childcare.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are happy and secure in this caring environment. The childminder offers a stimulating range of activities to individual children to help them make progress in their learning and development, however, systems to recognise children's achievements are not yet fully secure. A very safe environment has been created with risk assessments helping to reduce potential accidents to the children. The childminder has begun to make use of self- evaluation to further improve outcomes for children. Partnerships with parents are strong and the childminder is beginning to develop relationships with other settings working with the children to further support the children's learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 analyse observations and highlight children's acheivements  work together with other settings for the benefit of the children, so there can be continuity in their learning.

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provision

The childminder organises herself effectively to ensure children's welfare and learning needs are met well. The childminder has attended relevant training and has a positive understanding of the EYFS requirements. Children are kept safe by the childminder's vigilance and she has a good understanding of safeguarding issues enabling her to respond appropriately should concerns arise that a child is being abused. Risk assessments are conducted to ensure that hazards to children are minimised and children are beginning to learn about looking after their own safety as the childminder teaches them how to cross the road safely. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The clear set of policies and procedures that the childminder has produced helps her to carry out her work effectively and she is aware of what needs improving through use of her written self-evaluation systems. Parents are kept fully informed

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provision

about their children's progress through the good two-way flow of communication between them and the childminder. The childminder talks with parents and they discuss children's development, however, formal systems to involve other settings that children attend in discussions about children's learning are not yet firmly established. Parents indicate through regular reviews that they are very happy with the service on offer to themselves and the children with comments such as, 'safe caring environment' where children 'grow in self confidence' with a good 'range of indoor, outdoor toys,' and 'activities'.

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provision

Children's individual needs are well supported and the childminder demonstrates a clear commitment to inclusion. She adapts activities so that children of all ages can take part and is clear about how to support children who may have behavioural needs or learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The childminder has a range of resources and activities that promote positive attitudes towards diversity, gender and ability, helping children to learn to value different aspects of their own and other people's lives.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are well supported by the childminder in their play which helps them to make good progress in their learning and development. She works at their level encouraging them to take part in activities, asking simple questions to promote their listening and thinking skills. Children become very independent as they access the activities that they wish to play with and help feed themselves at mealtimes. The childminder talks about the food they are eating and children help to plant, tend and harvest tomatoes, developing their knowledge about healthy eating habits and food origins. Children are able to develop their social skills when visiting the parent and toddler group for childminder's with the childminder, where they take part in group activities. The childminder plans a range of play opportunities, taking into account children's age and interests. Photographs and discussion with parents helps to show what children have been doing whilst in the childminder's

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

care, however, the childminder has not yet established a secure system to analyse observations and highlight children's achievements.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Younger children delight in the opportunities offered to engage in messy play, developing their creative skills. They paint, glue, get 'physical' with the dough and pour and fill containers in the sand. Outings are enjoyed by all children and enable them to develop their awareness about the outside world. They take part in blackberry picking, paddling in the rivers and notice the changing seasons around them as they put on sun hats in summer and warm coats in winter. Children's knowledge of number, colour and shape is promoted well through a range of games and they show a good understanding about technology as they operate the computer.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Younger children's early writing skills are flourishing well as they are given plenty This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of opportunities to use crayons and small implements to build their finger strength and older children are beginning to form shapes in their mark making. Books are easily accessible, with visits to the library prompting younger children's interest in stories and early literacy. Walks in the fresh air provide welcome opportunities to exercise children's lungs and they develop their physical competence on outings to the forest where they climb on large activity equipment. House play equipment and small world toys such as, cars and trucks, provide opportunities for the children to use their imaginative skills as they load up the lorry with sand for a special delivery.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are welcomed into a safe and homely environment where they enjoy warm relationships with the childminder. Their good health and well-being is promoted well as they enjoy a nutritious diet and are given opportunities to be active and rest as required. Children behave well as they know what is expected of them. Following the childminder's good example they understand the simple house rules and those old enough to understand are given explanations as to why some behaviour is unacceptable. This helps children to learn about right and wrong. Children enjoy their time spent at the childminder's where they are made to feel at home, helping them to settle quickly and play happily. 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

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