Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY390606 Inspection date 05/10/2009 Inspector Lindsey Ann Cullum

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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 2009. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and four years, in Hellesdon, Norwich. All areas of the property, with the exception of the bedrooms, are registered for use by minded children. Access to the premises is via one step. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. Local amenities are within walking distance of the home. The family has a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time, of these only one may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for two children on a part-time basis within this age group. The childminder also offers care for children aged five to twelve years. Overnight care is not provided. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children benefit from a safe, welcoming and child-centred environment where they feel settled and secure. Children are treated as individuals as the childminder gets to know them well. She regularly discusses children's individual needs with their parents and works in close partnership with them to provide consistent care for the children. The childminder is beginning to use her observations of children to plan activities which support children's progress. She has a positive attitude to improvement and is beginning to evaluate her provision to identify areas for development.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of observation and assessment to ensure that children's next steps for learning are included and that these next steps are used to inform the planning of activities to meet children's individual needs  develop self-evaluation and the use of reflective practice to further improve the quality of the provision for children.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively protected by the childminder's knowledge of her role and responsibilities in relation to the local authority safeguarding procedures. Daily checks of the premises and regular risk assessments ensure the premises are safe and secure and children are kept free from harm. The childminder ensures children are appropriately supervised and checks have been carried out to establish the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 suitability of any person living within her home.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare, learning and development are effectively supported. The childminder provides a warm and inviting setting where children can access a range of age-appropriate resources which promote their independent learning. The childminder knows the children's differing stages of development and is responsive to individual children's needs and interests. She provides an inclusive service and is able to adapt activities to enable all children to join in and achieve. The childminder has attended the required training and has all the appropriate documentation in place for the safe and efficient running of the service. She has developed some useful policies and shares these with parents when they start. The childminder has begun to reflect on her practice and is developing a self-evaluation process which shows she has a commitment to enhance and develop her practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder engages with parents well and as a result ensures children's ongoing learning and development are promoted. She discusses children's well- being and progress with parents on a daily basis. They provide positive feedback about the care she provides for their children. The childminder is aware of the importance of building partnerships with other settings that the children attend, making contact with schools and pre-schools to ensure a consistent approach to children's care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, confident and settled. The home is child-centred with displays of children's art work on the walls and age-appropriate toys easily accessible. As a result, children are able to feel secure and experience a sense of belonging. The childminder gets to know the individual needs and interests of the children and is therefore able to support children's learning and development. Photographs are used to record children's progress and achievements however, the childminder is not using her observations to plan for the proposed next steps in children's learning ensuring planned activities are targeted to meet individual children's needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children's personal development and understanding of a healthy lifestyle is good at the setting. Children benefit from healthy, balanced meals and snacks which are freshly prepared by the childminder. She uses her knowledge and experience as a chef to ensure children are provided with the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and meals are attractively presented. As a result, children are encouraged to eat well and enjoy healthy foods. Children are actively involved in growing some of the food they eat, for example, tomatoes included in their lunch. They are learning about where their food comes from and the processes needed to ensure crops grow. Children benefit from daily fresh air and exercise as they walk to and from school or play in the childminder's garden. They delight in demonstrating their skills on the scooter manoeuvring this with increasing coordination around obstacles in the garden. They set up their own assault course, use the slides or

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and outcomes for children

play games of football relishing the physical exercise. Children explore different materials, for example, sand, water and soil. They use large chalks, paint and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 drawing materials to create pictures of their own design. Children use their imaginations and use resources such as dough to act through scenarios, for example, making biscuits for a party. They concentrate well on activities of their own choosing and are proud of their achievements. Children are confident communicators and eagerly express their thoughts and needs. They use numbers within their play and confidently recite number rhymes.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing useful skills for the future. From an early age they are learning to share and be considerate of others because the childminder gently explains the consequences of their actions. Children are beginning to learn right from wrong and are aware of the 'house rules' for behaviour. They are keen to keep within the boundaries set and enjoy the praise they receive for positive behaviour, such as helping a younger child. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe, for example, they know they need to stay with the childminder when out. Older children understand that if they help to put away resources this will keep them in good condition for future play. Overall, children are making suitable progress in their learning and development. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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