Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY393400 Inspection date 04/11/2009 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 three children aged two, six and 15 years in King's Lynn, Norfolk. All areas of the property, with the exception of two bedrooms upstairs, are registered for use by minded children. Access to the premises is via a small step. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. Local amenities are within walking distance of the home.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time, of these not more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group, who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care for children aged over five years. Overnight care for one child between the ages of five and eight years may be provided. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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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 are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They enjoy participating in a wide range of interesting activities and outings and make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder builds strong partnerships with parents, ensuring that children experience consistency in their care. Children are safe and secure and effectively protected through procedures and everyday practices. The childminder recognises that all children are individual and promotes an inclusive and supportive environment for all. The childminder is beginning to evaluate her practice and is committed to improving the service she offers children and their parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the use of observation and assessment to identify next steps for children's progress so that activities are planned to meet individual children's learning needs  continue to develop self-evaluation and the use of reflective practice to ensure that plans for future development are well targeted to maintain ongoing improvement.

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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 safeguarding children. She supervises the children at all times and implements appropriate safety measures to limit the potential risks This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for children. Risk assessments of the childminder's home and any outings are thorough, ensuring that children are cared for in a safe environment and protected from harm whilst out with the childminder. The childminder's records are clear and well-maintained, enabling her to care for children effectively. Her policies and procedures ensure that the parents have a clear understanding of the care and learning opportunities she provides for their children. Most parents speak English as an additional language therefore the childminder takes time to translate these verbally and in written form to their home language to aid effective

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the early years provision

communication. The childminder follows a well-organised routine which meets children's individual needs.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder ensures parents are fully involved in their children's care and learning through informal daily discussions and pre-arranged meetings to review the care arrangements. Parents provide positive references, stating that the childminder provides a good range of activities that their children enjoy and that the children are learning and developing well whilst in the childminder's care. Parents receive photographs showing the children enjoying a variety of activities and detailed daily diaries. They are able to access their children's assessment records at any time. Good information is obtained from parents before children start attending, for example, their routines so the childminder is able to care for children effectively.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a dedicated approach to childminding and is passionate about her role. She has attended the required training and begun to reflect on her own practice. However, plans for development are not targeted in order to fully maintain future improvement. Her home is child-centred, enabling children to access resources required for their independent learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, confident and well settled. The childminder offers a good range of interesting activities covering all areas of learning which she carefully adapts to ensure children of all ages are able to take an active part. Children relish the individual time and attention they receive and have formed strong relationships with the childminder. The childminder observes the children during their play and records their progress through photographs and written records. Whilst she is aware of the children's next steps for learning, these are not clearly identified within the assessment records. Planning ensures children are provided with broad and balanced learning opportunities however, they do not detail how each child will receive a learning experience which is tailored to meet the their individual needs. The childminder knows the children very well and uses this knowledge to successfully support children's emerging skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children are helped to learn about safety. The childminder explains potential hazards to them before they leave the house on outings and uses simple reminders such as not running whilst in the house. Children are encouraged to follow good hygiene routines, such as hand washing and they have their own individual towels to prevent cross-contamination. They are provided with a healthy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 diet and are encouraged to try new foods such as cherry tomatoes which the children help to grow in the childminder's garden. The childminder encourages parents to make healthy choices for their child when they provide any meals. Drinks are accessible to children to ensure they remain well-hydrated. Children learn to value one another and behave in a manner which is acceptable to all. The childminder uses positive strategies such as explanation to help children learn right

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and outcomes for children

from wrong. Children receive good levels of praise for their achievements and efforts and this effectively promotes their self-esteem. They are beginning to develop an understanding of the wider world and to respect and value each others similarities and differences. The childminder talks to children in their home language as well as English therefore all children are experiencing and learning different languages.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning valuable life skills for the future, such as eating together, being polite and helpful. They actively take part in recycling activities, making use of some materials for creative activities such as making their own musical instruments. Children's understanding of numbers, letters and colours is actively promoted through games and creative activities. They enjoy exploring a range of natural materials such as sand, water, soil and leaves. Nature walks and planting and growing activities help children to understand the natural world. Children enjoy time spent in the childminder's garden. They energetically run, climb or play games demonstrating their co-ordination and physical skills. Carefully planned outings with older children enhance learning opportunities, such as visiting the museum to learn about Tudor times. Children's imaginations are stimulated through the role play resources. They delight as they dress up in the dragon's

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and outcomes for children

costume or use resources such as the doctors set to act through their experiences. Children clearly enjoy their time with the childminder and thrive in the supportive, child centred environment. 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 3 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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