Childminder in Suffolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY346189 Inspection date 18/10/2011 Inspector Sarah 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 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged eight, 14 and 18 years in a rural village near Woodbridge in Suffolk. The ground floor the childminder's home is used for childminding. A secure enclosed garden is used for outdoor play activities. The family has a dog and three cats as pets.

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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, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in the early years age group, who 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 escorts children to and from the local school and playgroup. She attends local social groups with the children and takes them on regular outings. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification to level 3.

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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 supported to make good progress across all areas of their learning and development in an inclusive and extremely safe environment. An abundance of meaningful information is gathered from parents and carers on an ongoing basis, enabling the childminder to fully understand and meet each child's individual needs and care routines. Partnerships with local early years settings are also well established, ensuring children's continuity of care is supported further. The childminder has completed a generally good level of self-evaluation to enable her to make improvements to the service she provides, although she is not yet making use of a wider range of quality improvement tools.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the process of self-evaluation by using a wider range of quality improvement tools and monitoring the impact that improvements have on outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Children are extremely well protected from harm as the childminder demonstrates a clear commitment to her role in safeguarding their welfare. She has proactively refreshed her training relating to the local safeguarding guidance and procedures, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and has fully reviewed the setting's written safeguarding policy to inform her practice. This means that she can follow up any concerns very promptly. All necessary checks are completed to ensure children only come into contact with suitable people. The childminder has carried out a thorough risk assessment since moving into her new home which means that children continue to access an extremely safe and secure environment. Children benefit from furniture, equipment and resources that are of very high quality. These enhance outcomes for children's enjoyment and achievement as they offer excellent levels of interest and challenge

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the early years provision

to suit their different ages and stages of development. The childminder is fully committed to ensuring that the quality of resources is sustainable. For example, she encourages parents to collect vouchers as part of a local supermarket scheme to enable the purchase of a sandpit, mirrors and a cricket set.

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the early years provision

The childminder is motivated and enthusiastic and has identified some areas for further development. For example, she is currently implementing her plans to develop a patio space in her garden in order to maximise opportunities for children to access the outdoors throughout the year. Although the childminder is keen to secure continuous improvement, she is yet to make use of a wider range of self- evaluation tools to ensure she can clearly evidence the impact of any actions taken and demonstrate how these lead to improved outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an unquestionable commitment to working in partnership with parents and carers. She actively encourages meaningful daily discussions with parents, exchanging information about children's daily routines and the activities they have enjoyed. Learning journey records are always available for parents to read through and the childminder is more than happy for parents to take these home so they can add their own comments. Comments from parents are extremely positive and clearly show that they are very happy with the service provided by the childminder, particularly her flexibility and ability to provide a nurturing environment. Partnerships with the local playgroup are longstanding and purposeful. This means that the childminder is able to exchange information regularly with other practitioners that support children and can promote continuity in their experiences. The childminder is not currently caring for any children who

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the early years provision

have special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, she has a secure understanding of the value of working with other professionals when the need arises to ensure she can meet children's specific needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children are supported to learn how to keep themselves safe, as the childminder makes the most of incidental opportunities to teach them important safety rules. For example, she takes time to discourage younger children from putting pieces of play dough into their mouths and makes excellent use of flags to remind children that it is unsafe to venture close to the patio whilst it is being laid. Outcomes for children's health are also promoted extremely well. Children have daily opportunities to become increasingly independent with their personal hygiene routines such as regular hand washing. As they sing jolly songs about hand washing, they develop an enjoyment of the routines and proudly point out that This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they have their own pink towel. Children's dietary needs are fully respected and met during meal times and cooking activities. For example, the childminder

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and outcomes for children

provides dairy free ingredients for children to use when baking cakes, ensuring children with specific dietary needs are able to be fully included in the activity.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is confident in observing children's play and is able to link children's progress to the relevant areas of learning and development in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She maintains a meaningful learning journey record for each child which includes rich observations, photographs and examples of children's artwork. As a result, the childminder has a good understanding of each child's stage of development and is able to support any gaps in their achievement. Children are very happy, settled and grow in confidence in the childminder's care. They enjoy their play because the childminder strives to provide an environment where children can explore and develop their interests. For example, when children express an interest in various musical instruments, they are provided with a selection of saucepans and wooden spoons which they use to create tapping and stirring sounds. Children are keen to chat to one another during activities and

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and outcomes for children

often confer with the childminder as they play. This shows that they are becoming strong and confident communicators.

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and outcomes for children

Creative play is ongoing and all children have good opportunities to explore paint, sand, water and other malleable materials. As they use playdough they learn to use a wide range of different tools to pinch, cut and stretch the dough. They begin to bring meaning to their models as they talk about making a spider and begin to sing the 'Incy Wincy Spider' rhyme. Children enjoy a good balance of indoor and outdoor play, and the garden is used very well to promote positive outcomes for children. For example, children enjoy using blankets to make dens where they talk imaginatively about a trip to Africa to see various animals. Younger children develop strong physical strength as they push along a wheelbarrow and bend to pick up several crispy Autumn leaves. Children like making playdough and baking cakes with the childminder which develops their knowledge and understanding of mathematical concepts through weighing and measuring ingredients. Children's

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and outcomes for children

behaviour is positively promoted. They learn good manners and behaviour from an early age through the childminder's positive role modeling. She praises the children when they take turns and help her tidy away the toys. The use of resources and discussion to challenge children's thinking about diversity and the wider world is purposeful. For example, children enjoy exploring musical instruments from Cuba and Canada, and get to sample traditional French and Indian foods during planned food themes. 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 1 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 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 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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