Childminder in Suffolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY384133 Inspection date 11/03/2010 Inspector Moira Oliver

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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 2008. He lives with his family in Felixstowe and co-minds with his wife. The whole of the childminder's house is registered for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family do not have any pets. The premises can be accessed by one small step at the front door.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children when working alone and 11 children when working with a co-childminder. There are currently 14 children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age group. He also offers care to older children and is registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks or drives to local pre-schools and nurseries to take and collect children. He takes children to local parks, local toddler groups and local children's centres. He is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Felixstowe and District Childminding Group.

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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 have fun in the bright and stimulating environment and make good progress in their learning and development. They are happy, confident and settle very well. Children's welfare is promoted well, and most paperwork is in place to ensure they are safe and secure. The childminder understands the value of working closely with parents and trusting, strong relationships are built. He is devoted to his role as a childminder and strives to improve his practice further through accessing training and using self-evaluation to monitor the provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the record of risk assessment so that it includes information on who conducted it, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Organisation). 31/03/2010

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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 identify the children's next steps in their learning and development  extend opportunities for parents and others across other early years settings that the children attend, to share what they know about the child and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 become involved in identifying the next steps in their learning and development to ensure progression and continuity of care.

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the early years provision

Children are protected because the childminder understands his roles and responsibilities in safeguarding children from abuse and neglect. He has attended training and has clear policies and procedures which enable him to confidently deal with concerns appropriately. The childminder ensures that his home is safe, secure and free from potential hazards. Children are supervised at all times. The premises are secure ensuring children cannot leave them unsupervised and unauthorised persons cannot gain access. Risk assessments take place on all areas of the premises and on outings, however, dates of when they are carried out and by whom have not been recorded.

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the early years provision

The childminder strives to improve his provision further and has attended all relevant training and is proactive in ensuring that he keeps up-to-date, for example, with his first aid qualification. He uses a self-evaluation system to ensure that all areas of his practice are reflected on and strengths and priorities for improvement identified and addressed. He works in close partnership with his wife, his co-childminder, and well-organised documentation ensures that they are consistent in their approach.

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the early years provision

Parents are extremely happy with the provision and close, trusting relationships have developed. They state that their children are extremely settled, are happy and parents are delighted with the wide range of activities their children take part in. They are kept well informed on a daily basis through diaries and discussions. Parents provide valuable information about their children when they start which the childminder uses to help the children to settle. Developmental records are kept on each child with valuable observations recorded. However, the next steps in each child's learning and development are not recorded. They are not shared regularly with the parents and parents are not involved in identifying their child's next steps. Some children attend other early years settings which the childminder has some links with. However, they do not share information about the children's achievements to ensure progression and continuity of care.

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the early years provision

The setting provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for all children. The childminder values diversity and helps children to understand the society they live in. For example, they learn about their local environment through visits and use discussions and some resources to increase the children's awareness of their own and other cultures.

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and outcomes for children

Children are relaxed and happy in the bright and stimulating learning environment. They receive high levels of quality attention and make close relationships with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 other children, as well as with the childminder and his family. They happily involve him in their play bringing items to him, such as pretend cups of tea. They make choices about how they spend their time and can access a range of good quality toys and equipment from low-level storage units. They enjoy snuggling up to share books and are actively engaged in the stories, pointing out pictures, lifting flaps and guessing what will happen next. They make connections with the characters in the books and delight as they find the figure of the policeman in the basket. They have lots of opportunities to mark-make with a range of items such as crayons and paint. Language skills are promoted as the childminder asks open-ended questions

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and outcomes for children

and encourages children to think and make comments.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy role-play as they pretend to mend the play-kitchen, sawing at the windows and using the toy drill to make holes. They use their imaginations with the animals and figures, talking for them and learning to share with others. They enjoy music and sing happily to themselves and have access to some instruments.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn to keep themselves healthy through regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they visit local parks and play in the garden. They have opportunities to climb, balance, run and jump as they visit children's centres and play equipment in the park. The childminder follows the children's home routines to ensure their health and dietary needs are met, for example, they have opportunities to rest, sleep and eat when they need to. Hygiene routines are very good and older children understand the importance of hand washing. Children learn to keep themselves safe, for example, they know not to climb on the chairs and that they have to be secured in their buggies and car seats. They learn about road safety when they are out and robust policies and procedures ensure that they are safe at all times. For example, the childminder always has access to the children's emergency contact numbers, doctors details, first aid equipment and a

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides consistent strategies to support children to manage their own behaviour. He is calm and relaxed in his approach and values each child as an individual. They learn to take turns, share the resources and to be kind to each other and as a result, they behave well. 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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