Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY421109 Inspection date 17/08/2011 Inspector Anne Archer

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2010. He lives with his partner, who is also a registered childminder, and her two adult children in a residential suburb of Norwich. The family has a pet dog and two cats.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. He may care for up to six children when working alone and up to twelve children when working with another childminder and/or an assistant. There are currently 26 children on roll including 10 in the early years age group.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children progress well in their play and learning and their welfare is effectively promoted. Good safeguarding systems are in place and partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder gets to know the children well and he and his co- minder meet their individual needs successfully. On-going reflective practice and self-evaluation mean that strengths and areas for improvement, such as recording children's progress, are identified promptly and added to the development plan for action to bring about improvement. The childminder's capacity to maintain continuous improvement is good.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop systems further to clearly show children's progress towards previously identified next steps towards the early learning goals.

p.4

the early years provision

Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a thorough understanding of his responsibilities in relation to child protection and to keeping children safe. He is confident in his knowledge of potential concerns and in his ability to respond aptly by following current advice from his local Safeguarding Children Board. He ensures that all household members are checked for suitability to be with children and seeks identification from visitors and other adults collecting children on behalf of parents or carers.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has recently reviewed and updated all policies and procedures as part of a regular check to ensure they reflect the developing practice of himself and his co-minder. All updates are shared with parents to ensure they are kept fully informed. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Risk assessments are conducted on the co-minder's home and garden and on regular outing venues. These are reviewed at least annually and updated at any time when anything, changes. When planning to take children on one-off outings such as the zoo, the childminder makes contact with the venue prior to the visit to check out safety and security arrangements as part of the risk assessment. A daily health and safety check is carried out each day before children arrive and ongoing checks throughout the day maintain children's safety. Fire detection and control equipment is in working order and the childminder and his co-minder help children

p.4

the early years provision

to learn how to keep themselves safe without impeding their developing independence.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder takes effective steps to promote children's health and well-being. There are clear procedures to care for children who become unwell and to make parents aware of exclusion periods to minimise the spread of infection. The childminder is familiar with each child's dietary needs and, along with his co- minder, provides healthy and nutritious snacks and meals, offering children a choice, for instance, of sandwiches or wraps at lunch time. He also reminds children to take regular drinks to make sure they remain hydrated, particularly in warm weather and after exercise.

p.5

the early years provision

The effectiveness with which the childminder and his co-minder promote equality and diversity is good. Children learn to respect others' similarities and differences through discussion and a range of activities. The childminder is fully aware of children's individual welfare and learning needs and liaises closely with parents so that he knows about any changes that may need to be implemented to support a child. Behaviour management is consistent and appropriate. The childminder and his co-minder take account of childrens' level of maturity and understanding, ensuring that house rules and boundaries are fair and manageable. As a result, children behave well.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder's engagement with parents and carers is good. Flexible settling-in sessions ensure that when children are left they settle quickly. Parents and provided with both verbal and written updates about their child's welfare and development resulting in them being kept well informed of their child's achievements. Partnerships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage are established and beneficial to the continuity of care and learning. The premises are suitable for purpose and the childminder strives to maintain a stimulating and supportive environment where children develop at their own pace. Resources are plentiful, suitable and safe and children can independently access those appropriate to their stage of development. The childminder and his co- minder have a clear vision for the future. Capacity to maintain continuous improvement is good as they reflect daily on their practice, share information and

p.5

the early years provision

seek out further training to develop their childminding provision. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are well settled and display a strong sense of belonging. They are eager to take part in the activities planned for them and they behave well. The choice of activities reflects their interests and individual learning needs and enables them to progress well. The childminder and his co-minder make observations of the children as they play. They use the information to provide activities that they know the children will enjoy and benefit from, however, until recently, recorded progress was not always linked towards the early learning goals.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children learn how to keep themselves safe because the childminders talk to the children about situations as they develop. For example, a child who really enjoys making a pattern with hammer beads, knows to keep the beads out of the reach of the two-year-old. Children know that they must sit in their safety seats when in the car and that, when out walking, they must stay close to the adults and only cross the road when it is safe to do so.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children look forward to the frequent opportunities to play outside. They play on apparatus and toys in the garden and enjoy visits to local parks. During fine weather children are able to move between the house and the garden as they wish, with many activities being set up outdoors. Children's physical development is well supported as they learn to use tools and equipment correctly. Children enjoy sitting together listening to stories, singing songs or just chatting with their carers. They enjoy playing with the toy animals and deciding whether they are wild animals they might see in the zoo or whether they are farm animals. They count groups of animals and talk about their habitat and what they might like to eat.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children develop skills for the future as they play alongside each other, often successfully understanding the need to co-operate and resolve situations themselves. Younger children show by their mannerisms and comments that they enjoy the support of the older children as they play. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8