Norris, Sarah Louise (Mrs)

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 507126 Inspection date 28/02/2011 Inspector Rachael Williams

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and three children in Long Load, Somerset. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding including toilet facilities. A bedroom is available upstairs for young children to sleep. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder escorts children to local places of interests and regularly attends a toddler group. The family care for a cat, a tarantula and chickens. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently nine children on roll who attend on a part-time basis; of whom five are in the early years age range. The childminding service operates Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday throughout the year. The childminder has a level 3 qualification in early years.

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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 are very confident and settled within a homely environment where positive and caring relationships have been established. They make excellent progress in their learning as they are offered a broad range of rich and varied experiences. On the whole, effective monitoring of the provision has been established although; there are two breaches of specific legal requirement relating to safeguarding. Engagement with parents and other early years providers are exemplary and ensures continuity in children's care, learning and development.

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further?

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

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further?

 complete a paediatric first aid course (Promoting good health) (this also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 18/03/2011

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further?

 obtain prior written consent from a parent to administer each and every medicine (Promoting good health) 18/03/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 improve monitoring systems to ensure maintenance of required documentation, with particular reference to parental consents to ensure the safe and efficient management of the provision This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a safe and secure environment which is well monitored through comprehensive risk assessments. Through accessing relevant training and ensuring access to appropriate literature the childminder has good knowledge of child protection issues to ensure children's welfare. Sound systems have been established to ensure that all adults living at the setting have been appropriately vetted.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a homely environment where children are comfortable and are able to move freely around the ground floor. They make decisions about their play accessing an abundant range of high quality toys and resources therefore, showing a strong sense of security within the environment. Children behave very well. Through consistent interaction by the childminder positive attitudes are encouraged. Children are motivated and interested in the tasks they are given therefore, there is little opportunity for them to become bored or disinterested. The childminder has established positive and caring relationships with the children and they bask in the individual attention they are given. Excellent use is made of the local environment to enhance children's experiences for instance, collaborative projects at the network childminding group to develop children's understanding of celebrations and festivals.

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the early years provision

Parents receive a wealth of informative literature regarding the childminding service for instance, through a portfolio which includes comprehensive policies and procedures which are regularly reviewed and updated. The childminder takes positive steps to ensure she provides the best service possible. For example, when gaining information from parents on the annual questionnaire she promptly addresses any issues arising for instance, information on the complaints procedure and ensuring regular, face to face contact with parents as well as the informative daily diary. Parents provide positive testimonials and are extremely happy with how the childminder reinforces family values and their parenting skills. Partnerships with other early years providers are routinely triangulated between all those who have contact with the child to ensure excellent continuity in children's care.

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the early years provision

The childminder constantly adapts her provision to meet the needs of the children through appropriate observation and monitoring systems. She has good understanding of her strengths for instance, her interaction and constant engagement with the children and her regular reviewing of her routines and organisation of the environment. However, self-evaluation has not been robust enough to identify the weakness in medication procedures as written consent has not been obtained for each medication before it is administered. This is a breach of specific legal requirement. The childminder is well-qualified and is proactive at accessing relevant training such as, accident prevention, the use of story sacks and Somerset Total Communication to promote communication skills. The childminder has attended several first aid courses to up date her knowledge however; her certification expired earlier this month therefore, at the time of inspection, the

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the early years provision

childminder was in breach of specific legal requirements. The childminder has been This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 proactive in accessing a relevant course which she will attend this week.

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and outcomes for children

Children thrive in a well-organised environment which is conducive to learning. Exemplary planning and assessment arrangements ensure that children are engaged in a broad range of rich and varied experiences which relate to their interests, motivations and learning priorities. The childminder responds well to children's ideas for instance, to explore junk modelling where children engage in role-play as they pretend to catch fish with their rods. Excellent use is made of the local environment to enhance these experiences. For example, a visit to the local farm supports young children's identification of animals and encourages their communication skills as they mimic the noises they make.

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and outcomes for children

Through the excellent balance of focused and child initiated activities children are motivated to learn. They thoroughly enjoy exploring and manipulating the home- made play dough. They copy each others actions learning how to roll the dough to make snakes and balls. They show extremely good coordination as they safely handle the tools. The childminder interacts exceptionally well with the children for instance, to promote their communication skills as they discuss processes. Children listen attentively and follow instructions well for instance, to use equipment to make hair in the play dough. Children are very responsive to new challenges. For example, they show good spatial awareness as they problem-solve to complete jigsaws.

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and outcomes for children

Young children show exceptional understanding of the importance of personal hygiene. For example, after they finish playing with the malleable materials they promptly visit the cloakroom and independently wash their hands. They use antibacterial soap to wash their hands and use individual paper towels to dry them on in order to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder organises a range of opportunities to develop physical skills both indoors and out such as, soft play, so that children become aware of the importance of regular exercise. The childminder engages children in a wonderful range of activities to promote healthy eating for instance, children have regular opportunities to visit the allotment where they can grow, harvest and eat their own produce. Children are aware of their own needs for instance, young children confidently ask the childminder for additional drinks when they get thirsty. Children delight in the range of nutritious and healthy

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is very vigilant and encourages children to become aware of their own safety. When on outings children wear wrist straps so that they can be identified and the childminder ensures regular discussions on road safety and the appropriate use of seat belts. The childminder deals with minor accidents promptly and ensures that these are well documented in order to share them with parents. 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 2 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 2 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: 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 specified in the early years part of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for) 18/03/2011

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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 specified in the early years part of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for) 18/03/2011

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