Childminder in Suffolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY273570 Inspection date 23/05/2011 Inspector Glenda Field

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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 September 2003. He lives with his wife who is also a registered childminder. They live in Lowestoft within walking distance of local amenities. The whole of the premises is used for childminding. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. When childminding alongside his wife all six of the children may be under five years. Overnight care may be provided for two children. The childminder and his wife currently care for 14 children of whom nine are within the early years age group. All attend on a part-time basis. The co-childminder takes the overall lead in childminding practice. The childminder works in close partnership with his co- childminder. He is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

Children are transported by car. The childminder and co-childminder walk to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. They take children to visit various local attractions and activities, the local library, parks, shops and the Sure Start Children's Centre.

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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 feel extremely safe and content in the childminder's welcoming and relaxed home. All children make excellent progress in their learning and development as the childminder has well-developed knowledge of each child's needs to ensure that their welfare and learning is very successfully promoted. The childminder has excellent partnerships with parents and other agencies with which children are connected. Consequently, all children are fully included and are thriving in his care. All policies and procedures are in place to ensure that the safety and welfare of all children is effectively promoted. The childminder is fully supportive of his co-childminder and they have positive plans for the future of the setting.

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further?

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

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further?

 continuing to promote positive attitudes to diversity through activities and resources that encourage children to talk about similarities and differences and the reasons for these  develop further the self-evaluation process to clearly identify specific areas for future improvements in practice and the impact on outcomes for children. 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 has an excellent understanding of his role with regard to the protection of children in his care and has effective systems in place to ensure they are safeguarded. He is confident to report concerns following the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines. Thorough risk assessments are in place for the home and destinations for outings and effective actions are taken to manage and eliminate risks to children.

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the early years provision

All necessary policies and procedures are in place to ensure the effective management of the setting. They are robust and effective to support the welfare and development of children and are routinely reviewed and shared with parents. As a result, parents are able to make fully-informed decisions about their children's care and are kept up to date with any changes about the care provided. The childminder and his co-childminder are fully aware of the strengths and areas for development of the setting and have a clear and achievable plan for developing and moving forward in their continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

Questionnaires request the views of parents and their responses are included in their evaluation to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of those using their childminding service. Parents speak very highly of the setting, commenting that on collection their children are happy and relaxed and that the childminder engages them in many types of play and maintains a great level of care and communication with parents. The childminder and his co-childminder also work very closely with other agencies with whom children are connected, for example, the local Sure Start Children's Centre. The setting also liaises closely with other settings that children attend to ensure continuity of care.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. He, alongside his co-childminder, makes observations of each child in their care. Children's achievements are assessed and linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage areas of learning. Individual children's next steps are identified and used to plan further challenging activities. Children's learning records are completed alongside his co-childminder and made available to parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely well-settled and contented in the childminder's care because they are provided with enthusiastic attention and a superb range of appropriate activities. Toys and activities are set out prior to the children's arrival This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 so that they can access them independently. They make rapid progress in their learning because the childminder, alongside his co-childminder, is extremely effective in supporting their individual needs. Children are naturally challenged in their play as the childminder extends their learning by asking questions that encourage them to think further. Children are developing social skills and a sense of responsibility for their own actions as the childminder uses encouragement and positive reinforcement to reward them as they take turns or follow rules. Children are learning to show respect for themselves, others and their environment.

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to self-select resources from low-level shelving and floor based containers, thus encouraging their independence. Children enjoy frequent walks for fresh air and exercise and visit the local parks for physical play. They also make frequent visits to the local children's centre where they have opportunities to mix and socialise with other children. Children enjoy mark-making and enjoy reading books with the childminders. The books are displayed to enable children to develop their interest in looking at books independently. They enjoy building with bricks and play together with the childminder, who supports them to share and take turns and encourages them to name colours and count how many.

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and outcomes for children

Children have many opportunities to learn about the world they live in and begin to investigate the trees, leaves and plants when playing in the garden. The childminder is a keen gardner and involves children in growing flowers and shares his knowledge with them on the qualities of compost. Children ask questions about the flowers and the childminder explains to them about the growing season. He also helps children search for insects under plant pots and shares their excitement at finding caterpillars and insects such as spiders and ants. Parents also become involved in children's learning by bringing flower seeds for children to plant and grow. Resources that reflect positive attitudes to diversity such as, small world characters, books and puzzles are also available. However, the childminder and his co-childminder have identified that they need to develop further activities and resources that reflect our diverse society.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health, physical and dietary needs are met to an exceptional standard. They take part in emergency evacuation procedures and learn about road safety as they go on outings with the childminders. Children understand the importance of washing their hands and the need to put toys away to avoid others falling and hurting themselves. The setting promotes healthy eating, providing a well- balanced and varied diet for children. Physical play is actively encouraged to help children develop physical skills and their individual needs with regard to rest are met well. 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 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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