Childminder in Suffolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY285366 Inspection date 25/05/2011 Inspector Sarah Johnson

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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 2003. She lives with her husband in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding, with the exception of two bedrooms on the first floor. A secure enclosed garden is used for outdoor play activities. The family has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends social groups with the children and takes them on regular outings.

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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 enjoy their time with the childminder and overall they are supported to make steady progress in their learning and development. The childminder takes appropriate steps to promote children's health and safety and most of the specific legal requirements are met in relation to risk assessment. There is a regular exchange of information with parents and carers, providing them with ongoing information about their children's achievements and care routines. The childminder has evaluated and adapted some areas of her practice to bring about basic improvements to the provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure there is at least one person who has a current paediatric first aid certificate on the premises at all times when children are present. There must also be at least one person on outings who has a current paediatric first aid certificate (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 10/06/2011

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further?

 maintain a record of risk assessments, clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 10/06/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop the self-evaluation process further to identify priorities for development that will extend practice and continue to improve outcomes for children  extend the use of observations and assessments to ensure they are matched to the aspects of learning and development in the Early Years Foundation Stage and used systematically to identify the next steps in learning for each child  provide more positive images and resources that challenge children's thinking and help them to embrace differences in gender, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, special educational needs and disabilities.

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the early years provision

Children play in a safe and secure environment where their welfare is safeguarded. Since the last inspection, the childminder has developed a written safeguarding policy to ensure she understands the procedure to follow if she has a concern about a child's well-being. Regular risk assessments are carried out in the home and garden to ensure the environment remains safe and secure for the children. However, the childminder does not keep a written record of the risk assessment to meet the Early Years Foundation Stage requirement. A fire escape plan is in place and has been practised with the children so they know how to get out of the house quickly should they need to do so. A general range of documentation and training underpin the childminder's practice and ensure the smooth running of the setting. However, the childminder has failed to maintain a current paediatric first aid certificate, which may compromise her ability to provide care for children following

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive approach to promoting inclusive practice and understands that every child is an individual and has unique needs. For example, she works with parents to discuss and plan the provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Information is exchanged in discussion with parents on a daily basis and the childminder takes time to make comments in a 'home book' for parents to read at home. This ensures that parents are kept informed of the activities their children take part in and their ongoing progress. The childminder links up with practitioners who care for children at other early years settings to find out about the learning themes they are covering and to extend these in her own setting. This means that children begin to experience some consistency in their learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder reviews and reflects on her practice, and as a result, she has a reasonable idea of how she can develop the provision in the future. Although the childminder is keen to secure continuous improvement, she has not yet established a formal system for self-evaluation. This means that she is not yet systematically reviewing all aspects of her practice and occasionally weaknesses are not identified and addressed as promptly as they could be. 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 meets the children's health needs by helping them to follow appropriate personal hygiene routines. They are prompted to wash their hands before eating and after playing outside. Healthy snacks are provided and there is some discussion with the children about the benefits of eating vegetables. Drinks are always available, enabling children to drink whenever they need to and preventing them from becoming dehydrated. Outdoor play and outings to the local park are included in the daily routine so children have opportunities for exercise and access to fresh air. Children are reminded how to keep themselves safe in their play. For example, the childminder explains that it is dangerous to climb on the furniture and helps older children to learn how to call for help in an emergency situation.

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and outcomes for children

Overall, children are fully included in this setting and have sound opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes they will need for the future. They are encouraged to be independent and take on responsibility for everyday tasks. For example, they like to collect the post when it arrives and to help with shopping at the supermarket. Children learn to share popular toys as the childminder encourages them to consider the feelings of others and praises them when they are kind to each other. Most of the available toys and resources are stored within easy reach of the children and there are appropriate spaces for them to eat and sleep comfortably. A limited selection of books help children to develop some awareness of different cultures, religions and disabilities in their play. However, a wider range of positive images, special events and practices are not yet being shared to challenge children's thinking around diversity and the wider world. The

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and outcomes for children

childminder has recently started to record short observations of the children's interests and skills in their individual 'home books' and she generally considers these when she is planning the provision. However, the observations are not yet matched to the expectations of the Early Years Foundation Stage and they are not used to identify the next steps in learning for each child. Consequently, children's progress towards the early learning goals is not as clearly mapped as it could be.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is warm and affectionate towards the children and shows interest in what they say and do. As a result, children are keen to interact with the childminder, particularly in role play situations. For example, they play at making her a cup of tea using various cups and a teapot. The childminder takes time to extend children's learning as they play, often prompting them to notice colours of the toys and to count and sort objects. Children are developing sound skills in communication, language and literacy. They chat to each other as they play with small world vehicles and often choose to share books with the childminder. They turn the pages of the books, pointing out the characters in the pictures and beginning to recall what happens next in the story. Children enjoy exploring technology and how things work. For example, they question why the small musical toy has stopped working and soon conclude that it is because it needs a

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and outcomes for children

new battery. 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: 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 section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for). 10/06/2011

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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 section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for). 10/06/2011

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