Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY252227 Inspection date 21/06/2011 Inspector Tina Kelly

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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 registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and four children aged between three and 12 years. They live on the outskirts of Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding. Children do not generally access upstairs other than to sleep as there is a downstairs cloakroom. Children also have use of a playroom along the side of the house. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family keep a pet hamster.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time, with no more than two in the early years age group. She is currently minding two children part time who are in the early years age range. The childminder supports children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. The childminder is a qualified nursery nurse. She has a range of experiences in caring for children in early years settings. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Childminder Network at the local children's centre.

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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 happy and content in the childminder's care. The childminder uses effective observations and assessments to plan interesting and age- appropriate activities and events for children of all ages. Forward planning to extend the children's individual skills is developing. Parents are exceptionally well informed about the activities and events their children take part in. Excellent background information is gained from parents to ensure each child's care needs and personal routines are met in full. Links with other early years settings are beginning to be established. The documents, policies and procedures are effective in maintaining the smooth running of the provision. The childminder attends regular training and has a well-established process to evaluate and improve her practice. She is committed to developing her childminding to improve outcomes for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 review planning to focus on children's interests and learning needs to assist in planning 'what next' to promote their existing talents  develop links with other early years settings and work together for the benefit of the children to promote continuity in their learning. 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 is very aware of her responsibilities with regard to safeguarding all children. She has attended training consistently since registration and clearly understands the signs of abuse, with effective procedures to enable her to refer any concerns to the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She ensures parents are fully aware of her commitment to child protection, with clear procedures readily available. Children's safety is of a high priority. Their security and well-being are consistently monitored, with effective risk assessments to ensure all areas used by the children are safe and well-maintained. Comprehensive risk assessments are in place for walks in the local community, outings and events.

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the early years provision

Thorough and up-to-date information on the children's individual needs and personal care is maintained through well-organised use of records and documents. The childminder knows the children's characters extremely well. She meets their individual needs to a very high standard. Children are beginning to understand their own uniqueness and the importance of the difference of others. The childminder is a positive role model. She has clear boundaries and she talks clearly to the children so they know what is expected of them. They are beginning to share and to take turns. A strong sense of security gives the children a tremendous sense of belonging and their self-esteem is promoted to an exceptionally high level. The children have free access to a wide range of very good quality resources around the home and playroom. Toys are stored at low level and children are encouraged to make independent choices about their play. Resources reflect many

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the early years provision

different cultures and family settings. The childminder uses the children's centre for additional resources to support all aspects of the children's learning and development. The well-resourced garden provides an interesting and well- managed area for children to play and explore.

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the early years provision

Excellent relationships have been established with all families. The childminder has an instinctive understanding of the children's different needs which is based on her experience and the communication with parents and the children themselves. The childminder has a very clear understanding of the importance of working with parents to ensure all aspects of their home life and the children's individual needs are respected and valued. Comments and compliments from parents are used as part of the overall review of her practice. The questionnaire shows that parents are fully involved in their children's care and learning. Children's views are sought through daily discussions. They are encouraged to talk about their interests and share in the decisions about the routines, activities and their own play ideas. The childminder has started to make links with other early years settings, but at this time these are not well enough established to ensure a consistent approach to the

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the early years provision

children's future learning. The childminder has a clear sense of purpose about what she wants to provide for the children in her care. She is involved in the local network meetings at the children's centre, providing support and training for childminders. The childminder has a strong commitment to extending and improving the service she provides. There is good evidence for continued improvement as strategies are in place to identify areas of her practice to be This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 developed. She uses the Ofsted online self-evaluation process to reflect on the many aspects of the provision that are of a high standard.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very content and happy in the childminder's care. When children arrive at the setting they are confident as they are very familiar with the routines and they settle quickly. They are competent in communicating their needs. Children chat and talk to their childminder about what they have done. Children make independent choices about their play. If they need additional toys, children are taken upstairs to find exactly what they need. They make their requests clear to the childminder who adapts and adds to the resources to promote their play ideas. Equality and diversity is actively promoted through the varied range of resources and events planned throughout the year. Cultural events are included in the flexible themes and topics to extend and promote the children's understanding of the wider world. The childminder has made laminated cards into books to outline festivals and cultural events. This is used to promote play ideas and for

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and outcomes for children

discussion with older children. Frequent outings to children's activity sessions and toddler groups promote the children's social skills and provide new play experiences.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework as the basis for planning. Effective observations, supporting artwork and photographs in the children's 'All About Me' Early Years Foundation Stage record book are in place for each child. The planning shows that the childminder extends and promotes children's personal experiences and learning to a good standard. The childminder links both planned and spontaneous activities to the early learning goals. However, at this time she has not established a thorough process to extend and promote the children's existing talents and to plan for the next steps in their individual learning plan.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about a healthy lifestyle through well-planned everyday activities and routines. Independence in the cloakroom and gentle reminders about hand washing promotes excellent practice for young children. Children have many opportunities to learn about nutritious and healthy foods as they are involved in sowing and planting vegetables in the garden. They take part in watering and watching them grow through the year. Themes and topics on different aspects of healthy eating encourage them to try new foods alongside their friends and other family members. Children's physical skills are extended as the take part in a wide range of activities, both indoors and outside. Good quality resources in the garden provide children of all ages with challenging and interesting physical play opportunities. Children are beginning to understand and appreciate the importance of regular exercise and enjoy being outside.

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and outcomes for children

Children are secure and feel safe. Their self-esteem is fully promoted as the childminder responds to each individual child and includes all children in decisions about what they would like to do. They are inquisitive and active learners. Versatile plans, well-thought-out, age-appropriate activities and outings are adapted and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 extended to meet the needs of the part-time children in her care. The childminder provides all children with an exciting range of learning experiences that establishes their skills for future learning. 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 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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