Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY252806 Inspection date 07/12/2009 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 2003. She minds from a self-contained annex attached to her grandmother's home in Gorleston, within walking distance of local amenities, including shops, schools, parks and the beach. There is a large playroom, kitchen and bathroom facilities. A fully enclosed area of the garden is available for outdoor play. The childminder regularly works with an assistant when providing after school care.

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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. When working with an assistant she may care for a maximum of eight children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than four may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 12 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 the local school and attends several children's groups on a regular basis. She has an appropriate Level 3 qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder does not have pets, however, her grandmother has a cat on the premises.

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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

Overall, children's individuality is recognised and nurtured by the childminder, who has a good knowledge of their individual needs, interests and abilities. This leads to effective continuity of care and learning, enabling children to make good progress in their learning and development. Operational policies and procedures are generally effective in supporting children's safety and welfare. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and reflects on her practice to identify priorities for development.

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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 any assessments of risks for each outing  ensure the wording in the safeguarding children policy is in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) guidance and procedures  reappraise the learning environment to provide young children with further access to books, displays and images at their height, promoting a positive view of the diversity of the wider world. 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 understanding of her legal responsibilities regarding child protection issues, including the procedures to be followed if an allegation is made against her. However, this is not included in the wording of her safeguarding children policy. She keeps up-to-date with current procedures by accessing safeguarding children training and shares relevant information with parents to safeguard children's welfare. The childminder takes effective steps to minimise risks to children in the indoor and outdoor environment and while on outings. She carries out and maintains an appropriate record of risk assessments, however, these are not recorded for each outing undertaken with the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder strives to provide an inclusive service that respects the beliefs and values of the children that attend. She is aware of the importance of communicating with other providers and professionals on a regular basis to promote children's developmental progress. The childminder obtains detailed information from parents to help her successfully promote children's health and well-being. Operational policies and procedures are shared with parents to help them understand the care provided, thus establishing secure working relationships. The childminder seeks the views of parents to help her evaluate her practice and identify areas for improvement. Parents praise the professional, flexible care, the well planned activities, and the childminder's meticulousness when dealing with children's allergies.

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the early years provision

The childminder manages her time effectively and generally makes good use of space and resources, although books are displayed rather high up for young children to reach with ease. The welcoming and child-friendly environment and good range of child-sized furniture enables children to play in comfort and safety. The childminder is motivated to improve her provision. Since the last inspection she has extended the play room to provide children with direct access to the outdoor area so they can enjoy daily opportunities for outdoor play.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and well-settled in the childminder's care. Good quality interactions and well-established routines help children become secure and develop good relationships with the childminder and each other. Children are beginning to take responsibility for age-appropriate tasks and develop skills for the future. They develop a sense of responsibility by putting resources away when they have finished playing with them. They are motivated and interested in the broad range of activities provided and generally take responsibility for choosing what they do. The childminder knows the children in her care well and provides them with a good range of activities based on their current interests, to provide enjoyment and challenge. The childminder records observations of children's play in individual learning journeys and uses these to identify and plan for their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

progress towards the early learning goals. Children enjoy various outings; they regularly walk to the beach or park, or attend local children's groups, thus developing their knowledge of the local community. Themes such as 'Road Safety Week' promote children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe.

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and outcomes for children

Children listen and respond with enjoyment to their favourite books and are familiar with how books work, they happily sit 'reading' a favourite book and telling the story out loud using the pictures to guide them. They enjoy various mark- making activities and confidently select media and materials of their own choosing. Activities such as taking a teddy bear on holiday with them, provide opportunities for children to discuss the wider world and record their travels on a world map. Children have access to some resources such as books and displays promoting a positive view of the cultures and beliefs of others, however, most of these are displayed above the eye-line of the youngest children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning to share and take turns with popular resources such as a battery-operated train. They respond well to the childminder's good use of praise and encouragement, which increases their self-esteem and promotes their good behaviour. The childminder generally makes good use of incidental opportunities and routines to extend children's thinking skills, such as to work out how to fit the train track together. The childminder models mathematical language and encourages children to count during their everyday play. Children engage in a good range of physical play experiences, both indoors and outside, increasing their understanding of the importance of regular exercise as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Well-established routines help promote their understanding of good personal hygiene routines and they use a hand dryer in the bathroom to minimise the risk of cross infection. Overall children make good progress towards

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and outcomes for children

the early learning goals 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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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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