Childminder in Suffolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 251106 Inspection date 14/07/2011 Inspector Lynn Clements

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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 1987. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age group. The childminder's husband is registered as her assistant. The childminder is currently caring for 13 children, 5 of whom are in the early years age group, and 8 older children. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband in a residential area of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The whole of the property, managed by the childminder, is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds appropriate early years qualifications, including a Foundation Degree in Early Years. The childminder is currently studying for her Early Years Professional Status. She is a member of an approved childminding network and is currently in receipt of early education funding. The childminder is a member of a local childminder support group, a committee member of the County Childminding Association and a member the National Childminding Association.

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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

The childminder has a clear knowledge of each child and their individual needs. This makes sure that she promotes their welfare and learning well. Children's progress is good, given their age, ability and starting points. They enjoy discovering the world around them in this safe and secure family home. Partnerships are excellent in all respects and there is undoubtedly secure continuity of care for each child, including those with additional needs. Scrupulous self-evaluation and searching reflective practice makes sure that priorities for improvement are clearly identified and acted on, resulting in a provision that responds successfully to all user needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the current good systems of assessment for learning to make sure that progress is regularly tracked and, when identifying children, next steps for learning that all areas of learning are given equal credence.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed relevant safeguarding training and clearly knows how to make a referral if she has a child protection concern. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 clearly understanding about the importance of criminal record bureau checks and never leaves children unsupervised with people who have not been police checked. The childminder's husband works as her assistant and has undergone relevant checks. Comprehensive and exceptionally clear and thorough risk assessments are in place to make sure that children are protected from potential hazards. The childminder has taken the time to compile a wide range of pertinent policies and procedures which she shares with parents and carers. These are implemented in practice in order to support the smooth running of her setting and to provide positive outcomes for the children. Daily registers which include children's hours of

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the early years provision

attendance provide a clear record for the childminder who can then safely account for all the children at any time. All records required by legislation are in place and maintained well. The childminder has completed paediatric first aid training. This makes sure that she can provide appropriate care for children in an emergency. She organises a wide range of toys and resources to support children's curiosity and interest. Child-height storage encourages them to develop their self-help skills and overall independence. The childminder is taking well-considered steps to ensure resources and the environments which children access whilst in her care, are fully sustainable. The childminder actively promotes equality and diversity and tackles unfair discrimination. There is no bias in her practice in relation to gender, race or disability. This approach enables her to provide a positive environment which reflects a wealth of different cultures and customs for the children to

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the early years provision

explore. The childminder actively challenges discriminatory remarks and takes action where necessary.

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the early years provision

Excellent partnership working takes place to make sure that each child receives a high level of support from an early age. Clear and effective systems have been organised by the childminder with other early years settings in the locality. This two-way flow of information and partnership working clearly supports the childminder in providing continuity of care and learning for the children. Community cohesion is excellent. For example, each year the childminder organises a Christmas party for other providers in partnership with the local primary school. In addition, annual summer trips are also taken, involving local early years providers. Partnerships with parents are excellent. Daily dairies make sure that they are kept very well informed about their child's day and learning records provide clear information about children's progress towards the early learning goals. Parents are fully encouraged to share learning that happens at

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the early years provision

home. This helps the childminder to learn about the whole child, their interests and ongoing achievements. This information is then used well to inform future planning. Parents report that the childminder provides their children with exciting and enabling environments where they develop skills such as number language, counting and recognising colours. Parents say that they are able to return to work without any worries about their children and that they would highly recommend her to other families. The childminder has a clear ambition with regard to her practice. She drives improvement. For example, attention to continuing her professional development is excellent, recently completing a Foundation Degree in Early Years. Self-evaluation is systematic and provides a very clear summary of the childminder's strengths and areas for future development. As a result, the actions taken by the childminder are well targeted and have an extremely good impact in

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the early years provision

bringing about improvements to her setting. 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 has a very good knowledge and understanding of the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She makes clear observations of the children, linking these to different aspects of learning. Every term the childminder identifies next steps for learning for each child, however, on occasion, these do not take full account of all six early learning goals. Assessment records are compiled and, whilst clear evidence was found at this inspection to show that the childminder tracks the progress of each child, this practice is not always consistently applied. Records are very well presented and include photographs of all the different activities and fun the children have in the childminder's care. Planning is based on the childminder's observations of each child and information shared by parents and the children's own ideas and interests. This ensures that learning is targeted to each child in a way which appeals to them. Children make

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and outcomes for children

good progress in developing the skills they need for later learning, for example, mark making and linking sounds and letters.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident and keen communicators. They enjoy sharing stories with each other and the childminder. The use of props, such as a story board, which the children add velcro characters and objects to, helps bring the story to life and makes sure that all children are fully involved. Children demonstrate their growing understanding of technology and the wider world. For instance, they thoroughly enjoy using wind-up torches as they experiment with light and dark. Children talk avidly about the toddler groups and other trips they enjoy with the childminder. This includes planned trips and events in the near future. For example they talk about the forthcoming trip to the seaside and how they will be moving school soon. Children clearly enjoy using their imagination as they become super heroes. They enjoy dressing up and learn that super heroes help others. Children demonstrate their growing ability to make appropriate choices and decisions for

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and outcomes for children

themselves. They have daily opportunities to access the well-equipped outside play area, including the front communal area where they are fully supervised by the childminder at all times. Children develop their physical skills using large apparatus which helps them to increase their balance and coordination. Children's behaviour is excellent and they clearly understand about caring for each other, taking turns and sharing resources.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate an extremely good understanding of how to keep themselves safe and healthy. For example when some toys are brought out of storage, they talk with the childminder about the plastic bag used and how these are dangerous and should only be used by grown ups. Children demonstrate an outstanding understanding of the significance of implementing very good personal hygiene practices at pertinent times. For instance, they independently take themselves to the toilet, wash their hands and dry them and understand why this is important. Children enjoy healthy choices at snack and meal times. Open discussions and growing fruit and vegetables with the childminder provide the perfect opportunities for children to learn about where foods come from and which foods are good for them and which are not so good. All children show a strong sense of security and clearly feel safe within the childminder's home. They use a range of tools and

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 equipment and demonstrate their understanding of using these carefully. Children are really confident and capable in communicating their thoughts and show a mature response to taking responsibility about their own and others' safety. Children have ownership of their health and well-being and show that they are well informed about healthy living and keeping themselves safe. 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 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 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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