Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 255957 Inspection date 02/02/2012 Inspector Lindsey Cullum

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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 1993. She lives with her husband and two children, aged 10 and six years old, on the outskirts of Norwich, Norfolk. All areas of the home, with the exception of the main bedroom, are registered for use by minded children. Local amenities are within walking distance of the home. The family has two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time, of whom two may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, both 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 both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are generally making sound progress in their learning and development while in the care of the childminder. She is developing systems to observe and assess children's learning. Children are valued as individuals and the childminder has a thorough knowledge of each child's needs. The childminder follows appropriate policies and procedures to ensure that children's safety and welfare is promoted. She generally shares these with parents. The childminder works in close partnership with parents and has links with other provisions the children attend, in order to promote consistency in children's care and learning. She is aware of the need to evaluate the strengths of her setting and identify areas for development, in order to promote better outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 review and update policies, in particular the policy on safeguarding, so this is in line with Local Safeguarding Children's Board guidance and procedures and make policies more accessible to parents  develop further the use of observation and assessment to ensure that next steps for learning are routinely identified and that the next steps are used to inform the planning of activities to meet children's individual needs  develop further the process of self-evaluation and the use of reflective practice to identify and target areas for development to improve the quality of the provision for children. 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 demonstrates a sound understanding of her role in safeguarding children. She is clear about procedures, in order to protect children from abuse, ensuring that children's welfare is effectively supported. The childminder has a policy on child protection. However, this is not up to date or easily available to parents. The childminder ensures that all adults in her home have undergone the vetting process and that children are not left alone with any other person. Appropriate risk assessments are carried out for the home, garden and outings to identify hazards and minimise risks, in order that children can play safely. The childminder's home is warm and welcoming to help children feel settled and secure. All documentation is stored confidentially and records contain appropriate information to support children's welfare. The childminder is mindful of the quality, safety and cleanliness of the resources available and regularly checks these to

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the early years provision

The childminder is well organised, who plans her weekly routines around the needs and routines of the children. She bases her practice upon her sound knowledge of child development to ensure children are provided with activities that provide appropriate challenge and help them make progress. The childminder has successfully addressed the recommendations raised during the last inspection. She has attended training on safeguarding children and first aid to update her knowledge. The childminder has started to reflect on some areas of her practice and is able to identify her strengths and some areas for development. However, she is not using her evaluation to consider and prioritise areas for future development.

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the early years provision

Relationships with parents are friendly and trusting, resulting in effective partnerships to promote continuity of care and meet children's individual needs. Parents provide valuable information about their children when they start, which the childminder uses to help them settle. The childminder provides an inclusive service in which children learn to recognise and take into account other's differing needs and backgrounds. The childminder works well with others, who provide care and learning for the children and this promotes continuity in care for each child.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. They are provided with a varied range of age-appropriate activities, which contribute to their learning. The childminder gets to know children well and caters for their interests, enabling them to learn through their play. Children are confident within the childminder's home and independently access resources, which are set out by the childminder before their arrival or accessibly stored in large toy boxes. Children benefit from high levels of individual time and attention. The childminder is available to support and guide children or provide additional resources to extend children's learning. For example, during imaginative play, the childminder provides This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 a 'swipe card', so children can role play shopping and paying for food at the electronic till. As a result, children are also learning to understand modern day

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and outcomes for children

Observation and assessment arrangements are developing. The childminder clearly knows the children well and is able to adapt activities to the varying ages and abilities of the children attending, in order to help them make progress. She uses her knowledge of the children's interests when planning forthcoming activities to ensure these are varied and interesting. The childminder uses journals to record her observations of the children throughout the day. However, she is not consistently using her assessments to track children's progress and effectively plan for each child's ongoing learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are becoming increasingly independent. They initiate their own play, make decisions and confidently express their thoughts and ideas. The childminder is flexible, following the children's lead and is frequently asked to join in their play. Children develop trusting, caring relationships with the childminder, ensuring that they feel settled and secure. Children's emerging language skills are promoted as the childminder talks to the children throughout activities, creates conversations and asks questions, which encourage children to think and respond. Children engage in activities, which encourage counting and promote an understanding of simple mathematical concepts. They competently count as they transfer items from one container to another, talk about capacity when comparing the size of containers and know which piece of string is the longest. Their manual dexterity skills are enhanced as they practise threading dried pasta onto laces and they

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and outcomes for children

eagerly fit together puzzle pieces. Children are very imaginative and thoroughly enjoy dressing-up. They play with small figures, developing their own scenarios and become engrossed in their play. The childminder plans a range of creative activities, frequently focusing these on forthcoming celebrations. For example, making small heart shaped cakes for Valentine's Day.

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and outcomes for children

Children thrive as they have a good introduction to a healthy lifestyle. They have regular access to fresh air as they walk to and from pre-school, play in the garden, visit the park or woods. Meals are provided in accordance with parents' wishes and any allergies are duly noted. The childminder provides nutritious, balanced and healthy meals, which include fresh vegetables and fruit. Drinking water is accessible at all times and children frequently seek their own drink, ensuring that they remain well hydrated. Children gain a valuable awareness of how to stay safe as the childminder provides them with gentle reminders and clear explanations. She uses opportunities within their role play to reinforce safety, such as talking about the need to wear seatbelts in the car while children are playing with vehicles and small figures. Children clearly know the safe practices the childminder adopts when they are out, such as the need to walk and hold the childminder's hand

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and outcomes for children

when near traffic. Children's understanding of the society in which they live is developed through some resources, which reflect positive images of diversity and during outings locally. This helps children to recognise, value and respect similarities and differences between themselves and others. The childminder helps children to manage their own behaviour and she offers them lots of praise and encouragement. As a result, children are learning appropriate skills for the future. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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