Childminder in Suffolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY310354 Inspection date 30/11/2010 Inspector Lynn Smith

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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 2005. She lives with three children aged two, four and six years in the village of Kesgrave in Ipswich, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding purposes. A secure enclosed garden is used for outdoor play activities.

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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, no more than one of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. The children live in the local area and some also attend sessions at local pre-schools. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on both the Early Years Register and 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 and goes to several toddler groups regularly.

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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 welfare, learning and development needs are met to a satisfactory standard through the childminder's procedures and practices. Children enjoy an interesting selection of activities and freely access toys and equipment from the suitable range on offer. The childminder has not yet fully implemented an effective system for reviewing and evaluating her provision, developing links with other settings or using observations to effectively plan for children's next steps. Risk assessments are carried out indoors and outdoors, however, this process has not identified some minor safety issues. The childminder does not have written permission in place to enable her to seek emergency medical treatment.

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further?

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

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further?

 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 31/12/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 use information gained from observations consistently when planning for children's next steps in their learning and development towards the early learning goals This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  ensure that risk assessments fully identify risks to children's safety at all times  ensure self-evaluation clearly identifies specific areas for future improvements in practice, and the impact on outcomes for children  extend opportunities for parents and others across different settings to share what they know about the child and become involved in identifying the next steps in their learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an awareness of her responsibilities with regards to protecting the children in her care. She has recently updated her safeguarding training, resulting in greater knowledge of the systems available to protect children. Children are generally safe within the childminder's home. Although, some safety issues identified during the inspection, such as trailing blind cords and the position of the family's pet rat have not been identified through the childminder's daily risk assessments. All adults living on the premises have been checked for suitability and evidence of their clearance is held on file.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a developing knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and Practice Guidance documents to help support children in their learning and development. She has experience of providing children with stimulating learning experiences as she has worked with children in a pre-school setting in the past, however, has yet to develop effective systems for other aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage, such as, reviewing and evaluating her provision. The childminder does not currently have written permission in place for her to seek emergency medical treatment.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home offers children a good amount of clear floor space in which to play and evolve their games. They safely access toys and play equipment from the interesting selection presented at their height in the playroom. The childminder is on hand to help and support children at all times. Individual children's needs and requirements are recorded and followed through the childminder's equal opportunities policy. She provides books, toys and resources which enable children to gain greater knowledge of other people's differing needs and encourages them to learn about different cultures through the celebration of festivals and special occasions.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good working relationship with the parents of the children she cares for. Their means of communication is both verbal and written as the childminder provides parents with a clear account of their children's day through their daily diaries. Parents are informed about their children's learning and progress through verbal discussions with the childminder when they collect their children. A clear record is available for parents showing the range of activities the children have been offered and photographic evidence of their enjoyment. At present the system does not effectively enable the childminder to identify children's next steps in learning. The childminder has not yet fully developed systems for working in partnership with other settings. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's systems for ensuring that children's welfare, learning and development needs are in place and are being further developed. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and actively participate in play and learning opportunities with her and her children. For example, they excitedly explore a box of figures and characters which are new to them, vocalising their enjoyment as they take each figure from the box and show the childminder. Children's language development is encouraged and extended by the childminder responding appropriately to younger children's babbles and sounds. She introduces new words and re-iterates them through their play. The childminder is developing her system for observing children at play and using her observations to plot their progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children wander freely around the areas of the childminder's home which are accessible to them. Younger children feel safe and secure and show no concern when strangers enter the room. They approach the childminder with ease and are not fearful when she leaves the room. Children are encouraged to develop a good understanding of keeping healthy and how to adopt a healthy lifestyle. They have opportunities to be fit and active on a daily basis when they walk to and from school and nursery, they visit the local park with the childminder and use her garden for outdoor activities. The childminder is committed to providing children with healthy snacks and meals and encourages them to drink milk or water. They understand the importance of hand washing before eating and when they have visited the toilet.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well-behaved and enjoy the company of other children. They are active participants and enjoy the interaction they receive from the childminder and her children. All children are valued by the childminder and their individual needs are recognised and followed. The childminder encourages children to develop an awareness and acceptance of other people's differing needs through her commitment to promoting equality and diversity. Activities offered to minded children enable them to develop skills for the future, for example, younger children are provided with mark-making activities to help with their hand-eye coordination and pre-writing skills. They are encouraged to listen to stories and to develop a love of books which results in essential pre-reading 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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 3 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: 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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