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 256073 Inspection date 10/08/2009 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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 children aged 12 and 16 years, in Dereham, Norfolk. Most of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. The premises are easily accessible and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently minding six children overall with three in the early years age group who attend part-time throughout the week. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and holds an National Nursery Examination Board (NNEB) qualification in childcare.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are happy in this caring environment. They are making strong progress in their learning as the childminder has a good understanding regarding the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), although systems to recognise children's achievements are not yet fully secure. The childminder works well with parents and other facilities the children attend to support their learning and children are well-supported as individuals overall. Children are beginning to learn about others and their welfare is given good consideration. The childminder has started to review her provision through self- evaluation.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop children's awareness regarding others cultures and beliefs  analyse observations to highlight children's achievements.

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provision

The childminder has a clear set of policies and procedures which help to guide her work with the children and reassure parents about their children's welfare. A daily chat and regular reviews of children's progress with parents and others helps to secure children's learning and welfare. The childminder is not currently working with children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, however, she demonstrates a good understanding of how to work with parents and other professionals effectively to enable all children to be included, valued and respected. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Regular training courses help the childminder to keep her skills up-to-date in matters, such as, first aid to support children's health and she has addressed recommendations from the last inspection to further improve the service on offer. The childminder has begun to review her service with parents and children, who

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provision

make many positive statements about the childminder, including, the fact that the children think she is 'wonderful' and parents value the stimulating 'positive, caring environment'.

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provision

The children's safety is given good consideration by the childminder. Clear risk assessments indoors, outdoors and in relation to outings have been written up to reassure parents and ensure accidents to children are minimised. Children are being well-supported in developing skills to keep themselves safe, as they discuss road safety on outings and learn what they need to do to respond in an emergency fire situation. The childminder has made secure arrangements to safeguard children. All household members are vetted, children are encouraged to vocalise their feelings about things that may worry them and the childminder has a written child protection policy that she discusses fully with parents so they are clear about her legal safeguarding responsibilities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's development is well-supported as the childminder has a good understanding about how to promote young children's learning. Children enjoy a warm working relationship with the childminder and they are provided with a rich range of planned, but flexible, play opportunities that foster their all round development and learning. Children delight in the opportunities offered to visit the local park and develop their physical and early problem solving skills. They rise to the challenges that the park equipment provides, as they hang on the monkey bars, with younger children climbing up the activity frames carefully, and older children working out how to get the swing to move by pushing their legs back and forwards. Any physical successes are quickly acknowledged by the childminder who stands close by to support as needed and gently encourages the children. Self-pride is evident as the children beam with delight at their successes at

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

overcoming the challenging demands of the bigger equipment at the park.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's growing knowledge base about how things work and the environment is demonstrated during an in depth discussion with others about the road sweeper seen on an outing. Children discuss, how it moves, what it does and where the rubbish goes afterwards, acknowledging the importance of looking after the planet. Children's interest in the large amount of lady birds around, develops into a project where children discuss features of these creatures and make their own versions out of a range of craft and art materials. This fosters children's knowledge about living creatures and their creative skills. House play equipment is used by the children, who play very well-together, as they pretend to drive cars and feed baby dolls. This shows their developing social skills and imagination. Games and cooking activities provide welcome opportunities for children to reinforce their basic skills with technology, numbers and language whilst having fun. Children communicate

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

well and delight in the opportunities offered to enjoy stories and look at books. They hold crayons and other small implements confidently to make marks, draw This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and write on paper.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder makes observations and assessments about children's skills, identifying their next steps for learning, however, systems to recognise children's achievements are not yet securely embedded. Children are encouraged to think about what they are doing in their play by the childminder who asks open questions, which fosters children's critical thinking.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Daily walks in the local environment help children to get a good variety of exercise and they know about what foods to eat to keep themselves healthy. Children have a strong sense of their own cultures, however, they have too few opportunities to learn about the cultures and beliefs of others. Children’s behaviour is good due to the calm and consistent way in which the childminder helps them learn right from wrong, and the frequent praise offered to them by the childminder to foster their self esteem. 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? 3 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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