Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY375776 Inspection date 14/06/2010 Inspector Melanie Calway

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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. She lives with her husband and two children, aged five and four years in a small village, near to the town of Downham Market, in Norfolk. All areas except for the master bedroom are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder has some guinea pigs and three cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children on outings to a local farm and on walks around the village.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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's individual needs are met as the childminder knows them well and provides activities based on her knowledge of their interests and abilities. She is beginning to develop planning based on her observations of their achievements. The childminder communicates well with parents, exchanging information regularly about their care. The childminder has made significant improvements since the last inspection but weaknesses in the risk assessment still lead to some risks not being accurately identified.

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further?

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

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further?

 take all reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children, both indoors and outdoors, are kept to a minimum, with particular reference to ensuring that safety checks are effective (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 28/06/2010

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given (Safeguarding and welfare) 28/06/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the record of risk assessment to include a risk assessment for each This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 type of outing  develop the partnership with parents by encouraging them to add details of children's learning and development to the records.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded from the risk of neglect or abuse as the childminder has a clear safeguarding policy and has recently completed safeguarding training to update her knowledge in this area. She understands her responsibility to refer any concerns she may have about children's welfare and has all the necessary information to be able to act appropriately. Children are well supervised and the premises are secure with doors and gates locked while children are present. Since the last inspection the childminder has conducted risk assessments covering most aspects of the environment and carries out detailed daily checks. However, the checks do not accurately identify all risks and as a result some are not picked up immediately, for example inappropriate items, such as an automatic shaver, are left in the living room and some small pieces of plastic litter are in the outside area. Otherwise the outside is safe and suitable. Equipment is checked and

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the early years provision

children are not able to use any equipment which is not appropriate to their age, in line with manufacturers guidelines. The childminder takes safety considerations into account on outings but has not included in the record of risk assessment a separate risk assessment for each type of outing. A regular fire evacuation drill is carried out to ensure that the childminder and the children are able to vacate the premises in the event of an emergency. The childminder talks to children about safety issues to help them to learn about how to stay safe, for example when walking back from school she reminds them to walk the long way around, keeping on the path.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a set of policies and procedures, which is shared with parents, outlining some important aspects of the service. Most of the required documentation is in place and systems are in place for recording accidents and medication. However, in some instances the childminder has not obtained prior written permission for each and every medicine before it was administered, which is a requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Resources are mostly stored at children's level and they are able to choose what to play with. Children can also choose whether to play inside or out and enjoy long periods playing in the garden. The childminder obtains useful information about children's needs when they start and also finds out about their cultural and family backgrounds so that children and families feel welcome and included. She exchanges information about the children's care in the form of a daily diary and is keeping some observations to

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the early years provision

help her to plan appropriate activities. Regular informal meetings with parents ensure that they are well informed and able to see the records although they are not yet encouraged to contribute their own observations of children's play and learning to the records. The childminder has made improvements since the last inspection and is booked on training to continue to develop her knowledge and understanding. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. She now operates a flexible routine and children are able to choose what to play with and whether to play inside or out. She is beginning to make observations of their play and development and using these to plan appropriate activities. Children's interests are taken into account, for example children who are demonstrating an interest in food are offered activities such as cookery. Children who are becoming increasingly mobile are given opportunities to practise their skills. The childminder chats to the children encouraging their language development and they are able to communicate their needs to her. Craft materials are available for them to practise writing and drawing. She counts with them as they measure out spoons of flour while they make cakes and number puzzles and games are available to develop their mathematical understanding.

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and outcomes for children

Children use their imaginations as they pretend to be dogs in the garden or play with tea sets. Play dough and painting are offered in the kitchen so that children can experiment with different media. The large garden offers children space to run and be active and they spend plenty of time outside. There is a range of physical play equipment including swings, slides, climbing equipment and child sized furniture. Children learn about the world around them as they mix flour and break eggs to make cakes. They go on regular outings to a local farm where they can play outside and see the animals and look for flowers on their walk home from school. The childminder encourages children to respect each others needs, take turns and share resources. Technological resources and cause and effect toys are available for them to become familiar with using technology.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning to keep healthy as the childminder encourages children to lead a healthy lifestyle. They have plenty of time in the fresh air playing outside and walking to school. They are reminded regularly to wash their hands before they prepare food and during the activity if they put their fingers in their mouths. They are given explanations about a healthy diet, for example she tells them that sweet biscuits will hurt their teeth. A healthy snack is offered and fresh vegetables from the garden are used. Children's drinks are readily available for them. Good explanations are also given about safety, for example she talks to them about how to play safely. Children have developed positive and trusting relationships with the childminder who praises and reassures them if they are upset. They are learning some skills for the future as they learn to be independent and develop social skills. 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 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as identified in the Early Years report (Suitability and Safety of premises and equipment) 28/06/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as identified in the Early Years part of the report (Records to be kept) 28/06/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as identified in the Early Years report (Suitability and Safety of premises and equipment) 28/06/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as identified in the Early Years part of the report (Records to be kept) 28/06/2010

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