Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY278689 Inspection date 13/10/2009 Inspector Deirdra Keating

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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 2004. She lives with her parents and sister who is also a childminder in the village of Ashill, Norfolk, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. There is a separate annex of the house used specifically for childminding. A secure enclosed garden is used for outdoor play activities. The childminder has two cats and two dogs.

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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, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding 10 children in this age group. The children live in the local area and some also attend sessions at local pre-schools and nurseries. The childminder works closely with her co-childminder and shares overall responsibility for the childminding practice. When working together, they may care for a maximum of eight children aged under eight years. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 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 collects children from the local school.

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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

The childminder and her co-childminder provide a happy welcoming environment. Children are settled and secure as they enjoy a good range of stimulating play opportunities helping them to make good progress towards the early learning goals. Effective links with parents and other local Early Years Foundation Stage providers help them to build positive relationships and ensure that the needs of all the children are well met. The childminder and her co-childminder have a system of monitoring and evaluating their practice and plan to target areas towards future improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 use the findings from self-evaluation to inform priorities and strategies for improvement.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well as the childminder uses a clear written safeguarding policy that sets out the procedures in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). Effective procedures ensure that the childminder and her co- childminder have completed the necessary checks to ensure that all adults in the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 house are suitable to be in regular contact with children. Written policies and procedures are followed well to ensure children's ongoing welfare and safety, these include daily risk assessments and adaptations of the environment to ensure children can play in a safe environment where hazards are minimised. There are a good range of resources and equipment that are deployed well and benefit children of all ages.

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the early years provision

Children are cared for by an experienced childminder who has a secure knowledge of children's learning and development and has a good commitment to her ongoing professional development. The childminder's practice reflects all the commitments of the EYFS and she uses a reflective approach that is responsive to children's individual needs and interests. This incorporates her practice and that of her co-childminder. The childminder has a good understanding of the need to reflect on her childminding practice and actively seeks the views of those who use her practice. For example, parental questionnaires are used as a form of self- evaluation which is clearly built into the management system. However, the self- evaluation does not clearly target areas for improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes an inclusive environment where all children are warmly welcomed and their uniqueness is valued. The childminder is established in the local area and knows children and their families well. This enables her to work closely and cooperatively with parents, sharing information verbally on a daily basis and giving detailed written information about forthcoming events and children's progress. Prospective parents are given detailed information about the service that is provided for their children and an outline of the key policies and procedures. Good local knowledge and experience of working in an early years setting ensure that partnerships with other providers promote good continuity of care for individual children.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare learning and development are effectively promoted by the childminder who provides warm, responsive care. Children are settled and secure as they have clearly built up close and trusting relationships with the childminder and her co-childminder. Together they provide a good balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities to support children's learning and development. A close working relationship with her co-childminder ensures that successes of the day can be used to build on children's interests. This ensures that activities and routines are closely matched to children's skills and interests and consequently children make good progress in all areas. Plans tailored to children's individual stages and events in their home lives have been carefully devised and used as a basis to make informed observations. These are the foundations on which the childminder plans activities that are responsive to each child's developmental stage. Records of

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and outcomes for children

children's leaning show that they are making good progress across all areas of learning and these are shared regularly with parents. The childminder has worked hard to foster and maintain a positive working partnership with children's parents, she listens to families and takes part in a sensitive two-way exchange of information and this enables her to meet each child's individual needs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the requirements for administering first aid and medication. All consents are sought to ensure children's health and safety whilst in the setting and children's personal care is managed using careful preventative hygiene measures. Children learn about personal hygiene by using clean tissues to wipe their noses and wiping their hands clean with wet wipes. This is explained well by the childminder who talks about germs

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and outcomes for children

and the importance of keeping hands and faces clean. Children are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles, they are supervised carefully while they eat their lunches and the childminder reminds them about eating savoury options first and having regular drinks of water.

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and outcomes for children

Children are given opportunities to use the local community, for example, they observe different animals when visiting a neighbouring farm and enjoy looking at the artefacts in the local museum. Children are taught about keeping safe when they are out in the village, they learn about road safety as they practise safe routines when walking on the road helping them to feel safe. Children are provided with ample opportunity to get fresh air and exercise. The garden has been creatively set out with play equipment and children walk daily to local schools giving them exercise and fresh air.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes the use of books very well and provides daily opportunities for children to share and enjoy books. Children are polite and well behaved, they show respect for one another as they listen to a story in a small group joining in with the lines that rhyme and repeat throughout the story. Babies develop their competence in communicating through having frequent, interactions with the childminder who gives lots of eye contact and positive facial expressions as she plays with them on the floor. The childminder actively engages children in the activities provided. She demonstrates a good awareness of how to encourage their participation and development by using encouraging techniques. For example, children are asked to think critically about shape and space as they push shapes into a wooden shape sorter and the childminder offers positive acknowledgement of children's efforts.

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and outcomes for children

Equality and diversity are a high priority for the childminder who values all children as individuals. Children learn about their unique qualities and celebrate the characteristics they share with other children through practical activities and discussions with the childminder. For example, they share songs, stories and books that take into account children’s different interests, understandings, home backgrounds and cultures. 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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