Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY331085 Inspection date 04/02/2011 Inspector Sarah Wlliams

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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 2006. She is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Child Care Register.

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Description of the childminding

She lives with her husband and three children in a house in South Woodham Ferrers, Essex. All areas of the house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding a total of ten children on a part time basis, of whom five are in the early years age range. The childminder drives or walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends carer and toddler groups on a regular basis, meets with other childminders and takes children to the local park and other places of interest.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make exceptionally good progress towards their early learning goals and have all their care and welfare needs extremely well met by the childminder. She has established highly effective, trusting partnerships with parents and other agencies to ensure children are safe and secure and their individual, unique needs are well known and acknowledged. Some policies and procedures contain minor inaccuracies. The childminder is highly ambitious and demonstrates her capacity for continuous improvement by her professional attention to every aspect of her work. The self evaluation is realistic and an accurate representation of achievemnents, with worthwhile, achievable aims and goals for future development, well targeted to bring about improvements.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 ensure that all policies and procedures are updated in line with current requirements

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the early years provision

Children are well protected from any harm or neglect as all measures taken to safeguard them are rigorous and highly effective. The childminder is very well informed and her policies are reviewed in line with any new requirements and consistently applied. Some minor inaccuracies within the paperwork are in need of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 attention. The home and garden are constantly assessed and maintained to an exceptionally high standard. Children are aware of what to do to keep themselves safe whether in the home as they move about the playroom or when out and about by walking safely and observing simple rules when they get in and out of the car.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and others involved are seen as key to children's well being and are secure, trusting relationships. The childminder uses well developed, excellent communications systems to ensure all information is shared where this is of benefit to children and always scrupulously maintaining confidentiality. Daily diaries note personal care and routine matters, whilst children's developmental progress is recorded in meticulous detail in scrapbooks and trackers and shared regularly with parents. Transitions to pre-school or school are eased for children to minimise anxieties and made as seamless as possible as the childminder has open communication and information sharing systems in place with other providers of early years care attended by children.

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the early years provision

The childminder plans fascinating and stimulating activities for children to help them understand diversity. The childminder has researched carefully and has a wealth of knowledge regarding cultural and ethnic differences and successfully integrates all children from a variety of cultural backgrounds and learning needs.

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the early years provision

The dedicated playroom is set out to encourage children to engage with an excellent range of high quality, thoughtfully chosen resources presented in an accessible form for them to self-select. The walls are decorated with abundant displays,incorporating children's art and craft work, posters, charts and text to delight and inspire them.

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the early years provision

The childminder constantly and diligently reflects on her practice and has completed a self-evaluation which realistically shows her strengths and areas for future development. She is able to talk about what changes she will make in the future to update and improve her service, taking into account the views and opinions of the children and parents. A comprehensive and searching questionnaire gleans parents' views. Their responses are overwhelmingly positive and reflect their satisfaction for the high quality, loving care and education their children receive.

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and outcomes for children

The safe and secure environment is designed to be child friendly and offer a 'home from home'. Children have space to move about freely and make decisions about what to play with and how to structure their activities. They enjoy healthy, nutritious food at snack and meal times, and all their dietary needs are well known, ensuring they only receive suitable food and drinks. Fresh air and exercise are a daily part of the routine and children are challenged when they use the garden equipment or visit the park and playground. Children can use the comfortable furniture to relax or nap as they need to, or a travel cot is available as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 appropriate. Children learn about personal hygiene and wash their hands after using the bathroom. They use tissues or wipes at other times, to help prevent the spread of infection.

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and outcomes for children

Children clearly feel safe and secure and demonstrate this in their confident approach, as well as their obviously warm and friendly relationships with the childminder. They communicate their needs and wishes and respond well to the simple reminders to move about safely, such as when getting in and out of the car. Frequent outings to play centres and activity groups encourage children to engage with others and develop their social skills. They begin to learn to share and take turns whilst enjoying a wide range of innovative and stimulating activities, many of which are recorded in pictures allowing them to enthusiastically recall and share their experiences. For example a two year old recalls making rockets to celebrate bonfire night, and is enthralled when the childminder finds one she has saved and he matches it to the photograph.

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and outcomes for children

Children make exemplary progress in their learning and development. The childminder plans a full programme of activities based on the Early Years Foundation Stage which flow together and cover all areas of learning. Each child's progress is recorded in a scrapbook which is meticulously and skilfully annotated to include not only descriptions but also the contexts and how children responded. These are used to inform the next steps in learning, thereby completing the planning cycle.

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and outcomes for children

Children are enthusiastic, active and inquisitive, their attitudes towards learning are very positive. A two year old boy tries his hand at chopsticks to pick up the paper noodles, whilst a younger child delves into a basket of miniature toys with moving parts. She explores them intently, one at a time and replaces them carefully. The children's confident approach demonstrates their high self-esteem and the ability to structure their own learning in a supportive environment. The childminder sensitively balances children's initiatives with ideas and suggestions, providing challenges as well as reinforcing existing skills and knowledge.

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and outcomes for children

Children fully engage with technology and have use of a computer, using the keyboard and mouse to explore various programs. Additionally they can have fun using an on-screen fitness program, or dance and move to a music CD. They have a vast array of books and a wealth of printed material on display to promote literacy and recognition of numbers. Play with the cooking area and role play food promotes the development of problem solving and cooking brings concepts of weight and capacity into the play. By the high quality provision, children's skills for the future are nurtured.

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and outcomes for children

Every aspect of children's welfare and development is expertly catered for in this outstanding setting and parents are reassured when leaving their children that they are safe, secure and exceptionally well looked after. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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