Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY341078 Inspection date 10/10/2011 Inspector Glenda Field

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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 adult son in a village near to the town of Stalham, Norfolk. There is a large designated playroom and lounge available on the ground floor, which are used for childminding.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time. There are currently 14 children on roll, seven of whom are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder works alongside a co-childminder from these premises. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of 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 works very closely with parents to ensure that children's individual care and learning needs are met. A varied range of worthwhile activities are provided ensuring children enjoy their play. However, some resources and activities are not fully developed. Methods for observing, recording and planning for children's development are good. Children's welfare is protected through secure systems for maintaining a safe environment and keeping required records. The childminder presents a positive attitude to continually improving the setting for the benefit of the children and has developed systems for reviewing her practice to highlight strengths and any areas for further development.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that mark-making resources are freely available to children  increase activities relating to cultural diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder presents a responsible attitude to keeping children safe. She has a clear understanding of procedures for reporting child protection issues should the need arise and has attended training relating to safeguarding children, expanding her knowledge in this area. The childminder has developed a range of policies to guide her practice and reflect her setting. These are shared with parents keeping them well informed about the childcare provision and engaging their support in maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Children's safety is further protected as the childminder, alongside her co-childminder, supervises them well and helps them to develop an awareness of keeping safe through appropriate discussions. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder completes written risk assessments for the home and prior to outings. She takes relevant action to minimise the risk of accidents and ensures

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the early years provision

that toys and equipment are of good quality and suitable for the age of the children. Household members are appropriately vetted ensuring their suitability to be around children. As a result, children's welfare is protected and they are cared for in a safe and secure environment.

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the early years provision

The childminder creates a child-friendly environment where children can access most toys and resources freely, supporting their enjoyment as they choose what to play with. However, children have to ask for painting and drawing resources as these are not freely available. Some of their artwork is displayed in the playroom along with photographs of them enjoying outings with the childminder, which helps children feel a sense of belonging and also promotes their self-esteem as they see that their work is valued. The front garden is also available each day to offer wider learning experiences as children explore sand, water, craft and physical activities.

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the early years provision

Methods of monitoring and supporting children's progress are effective. Children settle well and benefit from the childminder's friendly nature. Flexible routines offer time to play and learn in the home and wider community. Visits to local parks and toddler groups broaden children's experiences and help them to develop social skills as they mix with others of a similar age and develop friendships with children they may attend nursery or school with in future.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality ensuring all children are actively included in activities. She provides a selection of toys that positively reflect diversity as a tool for children to begin to explore and value the wider society. However, planned activities relating to cultural diversity are few.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses suitable settling-in periods to ensure that all information is gained from parents and enable bonds to begin to form with the children to help them feel comfortable in her care. She communicates with parents verbally each day and also uses written diaries to ensure that information about care and aspects of development is shared. The childminder has established consistent methods of sharing the children's development records with parents. The childminder is developing close links with other settings the children attend to ensure all are working together to help children reach their full potential. She has completed a written self-evaluation to highlight her strengths and areas for further improvements and hopes to implement these shortly to have further benefit the children in her care. A positive attitude and ability to making improvements is clearly evident. Following recommendations made at her previous inspection the

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the early years provision

childminder has reorganised her resources to enable children to make choices. She has also developed a 'Welcome Pack' for parents containing all information regarding her childminding practice. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their activities and play experiences as these reflect their individual interests. They settle well and have formed strong friendships recognising that this enhances their play as they include other children and adults. They communicate very well with each other and the childminder as they share their thoughts and ideas for play. For example, a child wanted to wash the small world animal resources, looking around, the child picked up a storage container and asked the childminder if that could be used as the animal bath. The childminder readily agreed to this, adding what a good ides it was to use the container. They share strategies as they complete number puzzles. This enhances their understanding of written text and how they add to and take away from a number. They use tools and equipment as they enjoy cooking activities. Healthy eating is exceptionally well promoted as fresh fruit and a healthy well-balanced

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and outcomes for children

diet is provided. The provision of drinks is excellent as the childminder ensures that drinks are freely available to children ensuring they are hydrated. Mealtimes and snack times are a positive social experience.

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and outcomes for children

Children's investigative skills are promoted as they use the outdoors to examine inspects and plant life more closely. They observe the tractors in the adjacent fields recently helped harvest the potato crop.

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and outcomes for children

Observations of children's progress are well documented, linked to areas of learning and are regularly shared with parents. Children review their own progress as they look at photographs of themselves and at their development record. These are used by the childminder alongside her co-childminder to plan and develop new experiences for individual children. Children's different stages of development are planned for as the childminder successfully plans for their next steps.

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and outcomes for children

Children grow in confidence as they develop their play ideas they are well- supported by the childminder who prompts them during their play making sensitive suggestions to enhance their play. A wide range of books are readily accessible and children are sharing their favourite book with others.

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and outcomes for children

Their health is very well promoted as they enjoy walks to school, local playgrounds and woods. Trips are also made to Wildlife Gardens, the Dinosaur Adventure Park and Bacton Woods. Excellent routines are in place to prevent the risk of infection with children washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet facilities so that they learn how to live a healthy lifestyle. This task is carried out by children with no prompting by the childminder. When asked why they wash their hands, children respond with 'to keep our tummy well'. They learn how to keep themselves safe as the childminder discusses road safety when they take walks in the community. Regular evacuation drills promote children's understanding of how to respond in the event of a fire or emergency. Children have developed warm and trusting relationships with the childminder, feeling safe in her care and learning positive skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

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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