Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY394214 Inspection date 07/04/2010 Inspector Jacqueline Mason

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 family on the outskirts of Diss, Norfolk. The whole of the ground floor of the premises apart from the bedroom are used for childminding. Access to the provision is via one low step. There are no household pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She currently cares for six children, all on a part-time, occasional basis.

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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

The childminder has a sound knowledge of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage to help children make steady progress. Relationships with parents are developing well and children are happy and settled with the childminder. They are fully included in all activities and the childminder meets their individual needs well, taking into account individual care routines and educational interests. Some health and safety requirements are in place to help promote children's welfare and most specific legal requirements are met. Self-evaluation is beginning to be considered to bring about further improvement.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 include the contact details of Ofsted in the complaints procedure (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 09/04/2010

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further?

 obtain necessary information from parents with regard to who has parental responsibilty for each child (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 09/04/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 develop awareness of responsibilities under food hygiene legislation, with regard to registration with the relevant Local Authority Environmental Health Department  develop the arrangements to assess children's learning and development in order to plan and deliver personalised learning for each child  promote the good health of children, with regard to encouraging them to have regard for their personal hygiene This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and areas for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding issues and is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse to enable her to recognise when children may be at risk. She knows how to report concerns to help safeguard children's welfare. However, she has not identified who has legal parental responsibility for each child in her care and this has the potential to compromise children's safety. A daily checklist is completed to ensure that children are able to play safely indoors and outside. Toys and resources are readily available to children to enable them to self- select from the wide range provided. Toys are clean, safe and suitable for their purpose. The childminder has identified an emergency evacuation procedure and practises it regularly with the children. Through this they are able to keep themselves safe in an emergency.

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to improve outcomes for children through the identification of the strengths of her setting and areas for improvement although this is in an early stage of development. She has a general plan of the day that is adapted to meet children's individual care routines, such as the rest and sleep needs of younger children. She is committed to developing her childcare skills and knowledge and has attended relevant training courses to promote this. She organises her setting well and this helps children to be settled and confident. Policies and procedures are shared with parents to help them make informed choices about their children's care. However, the childminder does not provide parents with details of how to contact Ofsted if they wish to make a complaint and this is a breach of requirements. Despite this, the childminder is developing good relationships with parents and shares information with them daily to keep them

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes inclusive practice to ensure that children are included in all activities. All necessary written permissions are in place to protect children's well-being. The childminder has some effective procedures to protect children's health, such as not accepting sick children into the setting. She provides a range of healthy meals and snacks but has not registered as a food provider with the Local Authority Environmental Health Department. Children are reminded to drink regularly to prevent them from becoming dehydrated.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and provides activities that are appropriate to the children's stage of development. She provides an interesting range of activities that children enjoy but does not plan for the next steps in their learning and development. This is because she does not have robust procedures to observe and assess children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning nor does she effectively plan for the six areas of learning. She does, however, respond well to children's interests. She knows the children well and is actively engaged in their play. She asks questions to extend their learning and challenge their thinking, such as encouraging them to add up scores when throwing bean bags into a hoop on the ground, an activity initially instigated by the children. This helps develop children's problem solving skills and helps them

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes inclusion well and encourages all children to participate in activities at their own level, providing challenge for older and more able children and support for younger ones. Children receive lots of attention from the childminder and are treated with genuine warmth and positive regard. For example, younger children readily go to her for a cuddle and support and older children are confident to ask for activities that are not out. Children respond exceptionally well to the childminder's high expectations. Consistent ground rules and behaviour boundaries are understood by children and as a result their behaviour is exemplary. Children play harmoniously together and cooperate fully in play, readily sharing and taking turns, such as when playing board games. Children are taken on outings to the local park and other places of interest and through this are learning about the wider world, developing positive attitudes to others. During

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and outcomes for children

outings they are helped to learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, crossing the road safely. Children are learning about the natural world and enjoy activities such as planting seeds and plants.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health is managed satisfactorily by the childminder through the provision of meals and snacks that promote healthy eating. However, children are not learning about the importance of personal hygiene because the childminder does not pay sufficient attention to encouraging them to wash their hands before eating. Outdoor play is encouraged and older children move freely between indoor and outdoor spaces. Excellent attention is paid to ensuring that the outdoor environment provides a broad range of experiences for children and does not concentrate solely on physical play. For example, in addition to resources to promote active play, the childminder puts tables outside for children to play with playdough as well as a sheltered area for role play. Children's creativity is encouraged and their spontaneous interest in role play is stimulated by the childminder as she provides opportunities for them to play imaginatively based on

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and outcomes for children

their own experiences. For example, children select teddies and other cuddly toys and use them, along with the play doctor's set and telephones, to create a veterinary surgery. Children enjoy art and craft activities and are developing confidence as they manage activities independently. Their art work is displayed, developing children's sense of belonging. 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 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 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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