Childminder in Suffolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 251141 Inspection date 22/12/2009 Inspector Gill Thornton

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 1994. She lives with her children aged 15 and 20 in a residential area of Ipswich, close to shops, parks and local schools. The whole of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully 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. She is currently minding three children in this age group all on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 16 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and has completed the Children Come First Quality Assurance Scheme and is an active member of the local childminding network.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's individuality is recognised and nurtured by the childminder who has an in-depth knowledge of their family circumstances, backgrounds, interests and abilities. This leads to effective continuity of care and learning enabling children to make good progress in their learning and development. Children are safe and secure and enjoy learning about their local area and the world around them. Documentation and operational policies and procedures are generally effective in supporting children's care and welfare. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement and effectively reflects on her practice to identify further areas for development to improve her good practice.

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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 assessments to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips  extend opportunities for parents and others across different settings to share what they know about the child and become involved in identifying the next steps in their learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understand of her legal duties and responsibilities regarding child protection issues and she keeps up-to-date with current procedures through regularly attending safeguarding children training. Successful partnerships with parents and the sharing of relevant information helps safeguard children's welfare. The childminder is very safety conscious and takes effective steps to minimise potential risks to ensure children are safe and secure within her home, garden and whilst on outings. She carries out and maintains a record of risk assessments which clearly identify possible hazards and the action required to promote children's safety. However, this record does not specifically include each type of outing undertaken.

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the early years provision

The childminder strives to provide an inclusive environment for children and their families and ensures that their beliefs and backgrounds are reflected in, and included within her practice. As a result children learn about, and understand the society in which they live and the wider world. The childminder establishes positive relationships with parents, encouraging them to share meaningful information about their children's personalities, family circumstances, interests and skills. Along with her own observations, she uses this information to provide children with a good range of engaging and stimulating activities to help them settle and become confident in her care. The childminder keeps parents informed about her practice via occasional newsletters, a parents' notice board and friendly discussions on arrival and departure. Parents have not yet shared in or contributed to their children's records of progress to fully involve them in all aspects of their learning

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the early years provision

journey. Parents and children are encouraged to share their views and be involved in some of the decision-making processes, such as the decision to walk to school rather than drive. Parents praise the childminder for her valuable advice and support and comment on her good organisational skills and strategies which encourage children to eat healthily.

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the early years provision

The childminder is an experienced and knowledgeable practitioner who demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous professional development to ensure her knowledge and practice are up-to-date with thinking. She has attended relevant training to ensure she has the skills and knowledge to ensure each child gets the support they need. The childminder has established links with other agencies and works with the local school to support children's transition. She speaks to staff at other pre-school provisions about children's general dispositions and attitudes, but has not yet established a more formal arrangement to ensure coherence of progression towards the early learning goals. The childminder manages her time effectively and makes good use of available space to support children's learning. Resources are attractively displayed to promote children's interest. Overall children make good progress in their learning and development

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the early years provision

given their starting points and capabilities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and well settled in the childminder's care. Good quality interactions and well-organised routines help children develop good levels of confidence and self-esteem. Children develop good relationships with the childminder and each other and develop a strong sense of belonging within the welcoming and child-friendly environment. The childminder is caring and affectionate towards the children, she knows them well and ensures their interests and backgrounds are well reflected in the toys and activities provided. As a result children are motivated and interested, for example, they eagerly explore the exciting range of Christmas craft activities whilst happily chatting to each other about what they are going to make.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning to take account of the views and feelings of others and the childminder ensures they are each included and able to take part at their own level. The childminder uses clear and consistent strategies appropriate to children's stage of development to promote their understanding of acceptable behaviour. Children of different ages enjoy sharing books with the childminder whilst sat together in comfort on the settee, discussing the pictures and similarities with their own lives. Resources are thoughtfully provided to encourage children to play and problem solve together. For example, children negotiate and cooperate with each other whilst working out how to use attractive sheets of material to make a den, while the childminder finds further resources to support their ideas.

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and outcomes for children

Children show a good awareness of safety issues, and demonstrate a good understanding of road safety, learnt as a result of devising and practising safety rules whilst walking home from school. Children generally follow good personal hygiene routines and the childminder uses good strategies to encourage the children to enjoy healthy options, such as providing an attractively presented plate of fruit as a centre piece to a Christmas tea party. Young children enjoy exploring role play resources and engaging in their own make-believe play. For example, exploring a basket containing an attractive selection of hats to find their favourite and then dressing up in their own backpack and boots to support their play. Thus children develop skills for their future independence. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

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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