Childminder, Out-of school day care in Suffolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 251231 Inspection date 01/03/2011 Inspector Lynn A Hartigan

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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 1993 and lives in Badley, near Needham Market in Suffolk. The whole of the premises is used with the exception of the first floor and the sitting room. There is a large enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

A maximum of six children under eight years may attend at any one time, three of which may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently caring for four children, on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

Care is also offered to children aged over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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's well-being is met to a good standard and they are progressing well through the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children receive very good care and often receive one to one attention, as the childminder is realistic in whom she cares for at any one time. Children are settled and happy as a result and enjoy fun activities and outings within an inclusive and safe environment. Good opportunities are in place to communicate with parents and the childminder has developed effective partnerships with other settings children attend. A systematic way of recording observations is in place and parents' comments are welcomed, however children's next steps of learning are not clear. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the importance of self-evaluation and continuous improvement, ensuring a good standard of care is offered at all times.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings  develop further a systematic and routine approach to using observations in order to plan the next steps in children's developmental progress. 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 cares for children's well-being effectively as she fully understands her responsibility to protect children. The childminder ensures she attends relevant training to keep up to date with current practices and has a good understanding of child protection issues. The childminder ensures members of the household who require suitability checks have completed these.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a very clean, homely and safe environment for children. The childminder ensures the home is safe on a daily basis as checks are completed before the arrival of children. The childminder is aware of potential hazards when outdoors and on organised outings and is vigilant to ensure the children's safety. However not all written risk assessments are in place such as outings and therefore children's safety may be compromised.

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the early years provision

The provision of some very good quality toys and resources are available for the children. They receive superb attention from the childminder as she currently cares for only two children in the early years. Good informative policies underpin the childminder's practices and these are offered to the parents when minding commences, within an information pack for parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder is effective in developing and supporting the children's learning and welfare. A range of activities and play opportunities are available for children within the kitchen, breakfast room where they play. A wide selection of appealing resources are organised within baskets and are easily accessible to ensure children can self-select and initiate their own play and learning. A further selection of quality toys are organised within another room where children enjoy stories and quieter activities.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands the importance of sharing information with other settings minded children attend, to ensure continuity of care. Good links have been made at the local primary school. No children currently minded attend pre-school, however the childminder is familiar with the local pre-school and would ensure good relationships are established.

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the early years provision

The childminder's dedication and commitment to the children ensures they are happy and play in a fun and safe place. The childminder is able to demonstrate how she plans to improve the service she provides and has made good attempts at self-evaluation. The childminder values and encourages parents contributions.

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the early years provision

The childminder values each child for their individuality and opportunities for children to learn about diversity are provided through the activities offered. For example, some positive images of diversity within books and equipment are readily available to the children to help them embrace difference and discuss similarities.

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the early years provision

The childminder has effective systems for communication with parents. For example, they are warmly welcomed into the home and encouraged to settle their child. They are able to discuss their children on a daily basis. A daily information This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 book is also used for younger children. Meaningful information is recorded here and again parents are invited to make comment. Photographs are provided for parents in albums and provide good evidence of what the children have been doing and a treasured keepsake. The childminder encourages parents to review and contribute regularly, to their children's learning journey documents.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is an experienced practitioner and has a very good understanding of child development and how children learn. The childminder also has a good knowledge of the welfare requirements within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are able to initiate their own play, supported well by the childminder. For example, children have great fun playing outdoors in the garden, collecting leaves and bugs. They skilfully sweep leaves into piles using brooms. They find bugs and excitedly talk about the newts and worms that they find. Children approach the childminder for assistance who is skilful in the questions she asks to encourage the children to think. Magnifying glasses are offered to enable the children to have a closer look and they help the childminder identify the bugs that they find.

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and outcomes for children

The play area is bright and welcoming and toys are organised and easily accessible, enabling the children to self-select. Children enjoy mark-making and even very young children are offered opportunities, for example, large chunky chalks are offered and they make good attempts at drawing whilst sitting on the childminder's lap who offers lots of praise for their efforts.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is very intuitive of the children she cares for as she has minded most of them since they were babies. Good communication systems are in place with the families to ensure she is familiar with their routines, unique needs and family backgrounds. As a result children settle well and happily leave their parents. Visitors are introduced to the children and they are comfortable and secure within their environment happily engaging visitors in their play.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder continues to develop an effective system to record the children's development and encourages parental involvement. 'Learning Journeys' are made readily available to parents, however the children's next steps in learning are not identified to ensure children are sufficiently challenged.

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and outcomes for children

Good opportunities are provided to support children's physical development and learn how to stay healthy. For example, they have regular opportunities to receive fresh air as they play in the garden and walk in the local environment. Children are learning how to stay safe as the childminder discusses road safety with them. They are also aware of how to safe in the event of a fire as they regularly practise fire drills and evacuation procedures.

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and outcomes for children

Through familiar daily routines children are beginning to understand the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 importance of being healthy. Older children are able to take responsibility for good hygiene procedures as the childminder reminds them to wash their hands before meals and when visiting the bathroom. Baby wipes are used for younger children and a good nappy changing procedure help protect children from cross-infection. Children mostly bring their meals from home. However nutritious and healthy snacks are provided by the childminder, such as fresh fruit and vegetables and children can access drinks throughout the day.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes the children's understanding of diversity through some play opportunities and some resources that are provided for them. Children have clearly formed good relationships with the childminder and their peers. They are excited to see each other and play well together. It is evident that children feel safe and are comfortable in the childminder's care. 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 2 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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