Childminder in SuffolkOfsted inspection, 29 Jul 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY252744 Inspection date 29/07/2011 Inspector Deborah Kerry

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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 Mildenhall. The whole of the bungalow is used for childminding activities. Accessibility to the premises is via a step. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently four children attending who are within the early years age group, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to provide overnight care. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Description of the childminding

The family has a dog, which is confined to a secure separate area in the garden, although children meet the dog when on walks together.

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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 ensures that children's welfare, learning and development are fully supported and their individual needs are well met. The childminder ensures that she works closely with parents so that all children's individual interests and needs can be fully understood. The childminder has a range of clear policies and procedures in place to ensure children's health and safety are fully promoted. She has implemented procedures to mostly support the learning and development of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has evaluated her practice and has identified areas for development to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the observations and the systems for monitoring children's progress towards the early learning goals and ensure that they are linked to the six areas of learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has clear policies and procedures in place with regards to safeguarding children. This ensures that maintaining children's welfare remains a high priority. She has recently updated her training around safeguarding children to ensure her knowledge is current. The childminder ensures that children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 supervised at all times to promote their safety, especially when using the garden. She practises the fire evacuation procedures with children on a regular basis. This ensures that children develop a clear knowledge of what to do in an emergency. She ensures that a written record of these, along with when she tests the smoke alarms, are kept to reflect that children's safety is a high priority. The childminder ensures that the premises are secure and children cannot leave them unsupervised. The childminder completes written risk assessments for all areas of

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the early years provision

the home, garden and for all outings. This ensures that children are protected from any potential hazards when in her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed close relationships with the parents of minded children. This helps children to feel safe and secure when in her care. They exchange information each day on the children's day-to-day care needs and home routines. The childminder also writes a daily diary on each child, to reflect an accurate record of their day with her. This includes all the activities they have undertaken. Some parents provide regular written comments to their child's diaries so that the childminder is kept updated with any changes or developments at home. Other parents keep the childminder updated verbally when children are dropped off in the morning. The childminder has established relationships with the children's key person at the other settings they attend. This ensures that information is exchanged on a regular basis, to ensure consistency in their care. Children are taken on many outings within the local community to support their

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the early years provision

understanding on people's differences and the wider world. The childminder celebrates children's own backgrounds and heritage, and ensures that information on children's backgrounds is sought from parents, to ensure that all children are included and their beliefs are valued and respected.

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the early years provision

The childminder has evaluated her practice and has identified areas for further development. She regularly attends additional early years training to develop and extend her knowledge, so that children's learning and development continues to be fully supported. Parents have also provided written feedback to the childminder about the care and learning that she provides for their children. This is then used to implement any changes or suggestions to improve her practice.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder ensures that parents wishes are respected regarding their children's individual dietary requirements. She has in place clear procedures to effectively promote childrens health and medical needs and she ensures that her home is clean so that children's health is fully promoted. All accidents and medication records are kept up-to-date and include parents signatures, to ensure they are kept fully informed of any concerns regarding their child's health. She ensures that all food provided by parents is stored appropriately, and that the snacks and meals she provides include a range of healthy foods to promote their health. She ensures that the family pet is kept in a secure enclosed separate area in the garden and is regularly treated for fleas and worms to prevent any concerns to children's health. Children walk to school and can access the garden to effectively promote their physical development. Children are learning excellent

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 hygiene routines as they wash their hands before eating, after using the toilet and touching the dog.

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and outcomes for children

Children's independence is promoted as they are able to make choices about the resources they play with, and they are supported with learning how to feed themselves. The childminder organises her day and her home is arranged to allow children to move around feely and safely. The children are able to self-select resources as they are placed within their reach. The childminder interacts well with all children and encourages their speech and language development. She speaks to babies in a conversational manner, responding to their babbling and sounds to promote their language. Children have access to some resources that reflect positive images on diversity to help develop their understanding on the cultures of others. Children are developing their understanding of basic technology as they access push button toys; watch the lights flash and listen to the sounds that they make. Children are given positive praise for their efforts to help develop their self-

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and outcomes for children

The childminder undertakes regular observations on children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She records the activities they do and what they have achieved. However, these are not clearly linked to the six areas of learning to show that children are receiving a broad and balanced range of play opportunities to support their ongoing learning and development. She has evaluated their progress and has clearly identified the next steps in their learning to ensure that children are making good progress in their development. 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 1 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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