Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY406282 Inspection date 20/09/2010 Inspector ISP Inspection

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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 assesses 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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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 2010. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and ten years in a house in Harleston, Norfolk. The ground floor of the property only is used for childminding. There is a secure garden for outdoor play. A goldfish and hamster are kept as household pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, of which three may be in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently six children on roll of which two are within the early years age group. The childminder takes children for visits to the library, shops, parks and toddler groups held at the local Sure Start Children's Centre.

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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 settle with ease in the welcoming and inclusive environment of the childminder's home and consequently make good progress in their learning. Effective procedures ensure they are safe and secure. The childminder has developed a very strong partnership with parents and involves them fully in all aspects of their children's learning and development. Systems for monitoring and evaluating the provision, to identify priorities for development, are being established to continue to improve the quality of the provision.

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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 self-evaluation; taking into account the views of users to identify the settings strengths and priorities for development to ensure children continue to receive high quality care and education  develop a regular two-way flow of information with other providers who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is protected. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of how to safeguard children and is familiar with child protection procedures. Appropriate measures such as ensuring that all household members have undergone vetting checks are in place. Accurate records, policies and procedures for the safe management of the provision are kept. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 consistently carries out regular risk assessments of her home and of any outings and takes effective action to reduce risks. She holds current paediatric first aid training and is able to take appropriate action in the event of an emergency. The home is organised well and is maintained to a high standard. Resources are good, fit for purpose and effectively support children's learning and development. Most are provided at a low-level and there are several items that are child sized to

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the early years provision

promote children's self-confidence and independence.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed partnerships with parents that are very effective and make a significant contribution to children's achievement and well-being. She maintains excellent systems of communication by using daily discussions and communication books. All these systems are used well, promoting a two-way flow of communication and enabling parents to be part of their children's daily achievements and developmental milestones. Parents speak highly of the childminder and comment on the effective sharing of information and her professionalism. Although some children being cared for by the childminder attend other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage, the childminder has yet to develop a system for liaising with other providers to ensure continuity of care and learning for individual children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has obtained in-depth knowledge of children's backgrounds and needs using her strong parent partnership. She carefully tailors her practice to each child's individual requirements. Her organised approach ensures that each child in her care is given the appropriate support and resources to help them feel included and valued as a unique individual. The childminder has a strong commitment to professional development and strives hard to provide high quality care and continually improve. Systems for monitoring and evaluating the provision are being established and to assist in identifying priorities for development, the views of all users are being sought.

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and outcomes for children

Children are safe and develop a strong sense of belonging in the childminder's home. Their well-being and health is promoted efficiently. For example, they can independently access their drinks and are given healthy choice options about what to eat for snack, lunch and tea such as fresh fruit and vegetables, assorted sandwiches, jacket potatoes and pasta dishes. This promotes children's decision making well and helps them develop skills for the future. Children can readily choose from the wide range of resources that are stored carefully to foster their independence and choice. Well-organised routines help babies and very young children to feel secure and confident.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn how to be safe as the childminder raises their awareness of fire and road safety and offers them gentle reminders of how to be safe in the home. Children are eager to join in activities; they explore with confidence and develop This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 independence. They behave well and display good social skills. Children develop a positive attitude to exercise. They show an awareness of space as they move with confidence in and outside the setting. Children learn to manipulate small tools during sand and water play. They learn to move with control and co-ordination on large pieces of equipment in a local park and at toddler groups. Children develop good skills for the future. They chatter confidently and are keen to share news. They are able to recall and talk confidently about previous events, for example, about the story of the big brown bear with an itch they had listened to at the

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and outcomes for children

library that morning. Children are able to select from a wide range of inviting books and enjoy sitting with the childminder to listen to stories. The childminder uses open questions and gives children time to think in order to develop their language skills. Children have lots of opportunities to mark-make using chalk, crayons, pencils and sand. They recognise numbers on puzzles and learn to count items. Children learn about weight and measure and how things change when taking part in cookery activities. They think about simple problems as they use a selection of puzzles, shape-sorters, push button toys and construction resources. Children develop their creativity as they paint, print, play musical instruments and sing. Children's knowledge and understanding of the world is supported by activities that include digging and weeding the garden and nature walks. They become familiar with their community on outings to the park, shops, toddler

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and outcomes for children

Individual planning, in response to children's current interests and stage of development, helps them make good progress towards the early learning goals. Children mastering their first steps are encouraged and supported by the childminder who plans for each child using knowledge she has obtained and recorded from parents. For example, furniture is placed appropriately to enable a child learning to walk to pull themselves up safely. Children's achievements are shared with their parents; these records are illustrated well with photographs and highlight children's potential next steps in their learning. Consequently, planning is responsive to their needs and children in her care are motivated and enthusiastic learners. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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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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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