Childminder in Suffolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 250809 Inspection date 04/06/2010 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 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 1990. She lives with her husband and one adult son close to parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. A secure enclosed garden is used for outdoor play activities. The childminder has a cat and chickens as pets.

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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 one child in this age group. The children live in the local area and some also attend sessions at nurseries. 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. She is a member of an approved childminding network.

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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 content in the childminder's care. She knows them well and has built up positive relationships with them using her in-depth knowledge of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder deploys her resources well and provides a wide range of stimulating learning opportunities for each child based on their individual interests. The childminder strongly promotes inclusive practice in order that children feel secure and valued. She has established positive working relationships with parents and this ensures children's individual needs are well met. The childminder is committed to improvement and regularly updates her knowledge by attending Early Years training.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that Ofsted are notified of any serious accident, illness or injury of any child and a written record of the event is recorded including the action taken, as soon as is reasonably practicable, but in any event within 14 days of the incident occurring (Safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare). 10/06/2010

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop partnership working to provide further opportunities for parents to share in their children's learning and contribute to their learning journeys.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of protecting children from potential harm. She has training in this area and arranged to undertake Level 2 training. The childminder makes it clear to parents about her commitment to protecting children and shares a written policy. All household members over the age of 16 years have been carefully checked to ensure their suitability to be with children. The childminder truly values each child and gives their safety the highest priority. There is a record of risk assessments for all types of outings she undertakes with children as well as risk assessments to ensure that her premises and garden are safe for children. Records are maintained in relation to minor accidents to ensure children's ongoing heath and safety. These are generally documented appropriately and signed off by parents, however, the childminder has not made a record of a significant event or provided notification to Ofsted as the

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the early years provision

regulator as she was unaware of this requirement.

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the early years provision

The childminder attends and delivers Early Years training which results in her having a strong and secure knowledge base of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. She has evaluated her practice to identify her strengths and areas for development and is highly committed to improving outcomes for children in her care.

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the early years provision

A brightly decorated welcoming home provides an appealing environment for children. Children's work and pictures are displayed and a good range of high quality toys and resources are freely accessible to children, in excellent condition and set out to provide easy access and promote children's independence and decision-making.

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the early years provision

Parents are informed about the childminder's service and receive a set of policies and procedures when they start. The childminder obtains information about children's preferences so that she can meet their individual needs and completes a daily diary which outlines their care, routines and any significant achievements. The childminder exchanges information about children's care with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage when children attend more than one setting in order that she can compliment and support children's learning in other settings.

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and outcomes for children

Children have close and trusting relationships with the childminder, they enjoy her company and are responsive and animated whilst in her care. The childminder supports children's speech and language development well using conversation, books and words in children's home languages which are reflected in both discussion and play. This helps children who speak English as a second language This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to build strong bi-lingual foundations and gives them a good sense of belonging. Children are all highly valued as individuals and given lots of time and attention by the childminder. Each child has a 'learning journey' record of progress and the childminder provides weekly activity plans that are responsive to children's changing interests and likes. Whilst these written records show children's progress they are not proactively shared with children's parents and carers. Informed

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and outcomes for children

observations of children made by the childminder help build on their knowledge and skills and help them progress. Children enjoy their time at the childminders and achieve well, their achievements are recognised and valued and children are given lots of acknowledgment and encouragement for their efforts. This boosts children's levels of self-esteem and confidence.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about the world around them through walks in the rural village and the childminder uses opportunities to talk to them about what they see. Children are able to be creative as they experiment with painting and role play using the wide choice of appealing dressing-up clothes to recreate roles and imaginary characters. They are actively encouraged to express and communicate their ideas, thoughts and feelings using fabrics, paint, stories and songs and this supports children's creative development well.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted well. They spend lots of time in the garden providing plenty of fresh air and exercise. Parents provide packed lunches and are encouraged to include healthy options. Children are given healthy and nutritious snacks and are encouraged to help themselves to drinks regularly. The childminder talks to children to ensure that they learn about how to keep themselves safe, warning them about stranger danger and ensuring they use the equipment in her house safely. As a result children feel safe and secure in the childminder's care where they make good progress and can play and learn in a safe 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 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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