Childminder in SuffolkOfsted inspection, 21 Feb 2012

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY412649 Inspection date 21/02/2012 Inspector Veronica Sharpe

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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 2010 and lives with her husband and two adult children in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. Local shops, school and a park are within walking distance. The childminder uses the ground floor for childminding. There is a fully-enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for up to six children under eight years. She also works in partnership with two other childminders at another address. There are currently three children on roll in the early years age group. The family has one dog. 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

The childminder has friendly relationships with the children and provides suitable activities so they make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. She has developed sound partnerships with parents so she can meet children's individual needs. All essential documentation is in place, although some policies and procedures need updating. Children's safety and welfare are promoted through sound risk assessments and because the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection procedures. Systems for evaluating the quality of the provision are at an early stage.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further systems to assess children's learning and development using the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance; include links into the areas of learning in order to plan effectively for children's next steps. Encourage parents to contribute, sharing what they know about their child  improve hygiene routines, particularly at meal times, to further protect children from the risks of cross infection  review policies and procedures to ensure information is accurate and up-to- date  develop further systems to monitor and evaluate the quality of the provision, using the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance in order to improve the outcomes 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

Children's safety is ensured through implementation of sound procedures, such as daily risk assessments. The childminder has appropriate child protection policies in place and keeps children safely supervised at all times. Records of accidents are shared with parents, along with any existing injuries. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate so she can deal with any minor accidents. All essential documentation is in place but some policies and procedures have not been reviewed to ensure the information is accurate. For example, the contact details of Ofsted in the complaints policy are out of date. Children learn about safe practices from the childminder, for example, they practise the fire drill together.

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the early years provision

The childminder has sound relationships with parents, she gathers sufficient information from them so that she knows about children's individual needs and can provide consistency of care. Parents are reassured because the childminder takes time to talk to them about their children's well-being and uses text messaging through the day. Home visits are arranged where necessary for more in-depth meetings. The childminder works hard to ensure children are settled well into the setting, for example, she follows their home routines and encourages them to play with familiar toys. None of the children currently on roll attend other settings but the childminder is aware of the importance of developing links with other providers in order to promote consistency.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her home so it offers a secure and child-friendly environment. Children move around confidently and safely and benefit from a reasonable range of resources, which are easily accessible. This promotes children's independence. The childminder is able to talk about the strengths of the provision, such as the relationships with parents and settling in procedures. She is implementing ideas to improve her practice, such as new policies for healthy eating. However, overall, the process for self-evaluation is at an early stage and is not developed sufficiently well to enable her to reflect and focus effectively on areas for improvement.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder knows the children well and understands their individual interests. Consequently, children are confident and secure in the childminder's care. Children benefit from a range of age-appropriate, accessible resources that generally meet their individual needs, such as puzzles, building blocks and books. The childminder fosters children's self esteem well by being quick to praise them and acknowledge their achievements. Children behave well and enjoy the childminder's attention and support.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a suitable knowledge of children's development, which ensures activities and routines adequately meet children's needs. Systems to track This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's progress are evolving but observations are not linked with the areas of learning, which makes it difficult to track progress effectively. Although parents share information regularly about their children's welfare, there are fewer opportunities for them to contribute what they know about their children's progress. Children benefit from regular routines that include times to rest and be active. They enjoy physical activity as they go for walks in fine weather or visit activity and soft-play centres.

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and outcomes for children

Children gain awareness of the wider community as they visit local amenities, such as the park or local shops. They have times to socialise and be with their peers. Children readily access a reasonable range of books and enjoy leafing through the pages with the childminder, pointing out familiar shapes and figures. They manipulate play dough and use tools to cut it up, turning it into 'little bits' and giggling happily. A range of electronic toys enables children to explore musical sounds and push button controls. The childminder is not caring for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, she would work with parents to meet children's needs.

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and outcomes for children

Food is provided mainly by the children's parents but the childminder collects information to ensure she knows about any allergies or special dietary needs. This ensures children eat safely. Drinks are readily available so children can help themselves. Meals are taken together, with children seated at the table, or close by in their high chairs. This promotes good eating habits and makes mealtimes relaxed and sociable. Children are not consistently helped to understand the importance of hand washing before meal times. Other aspects of hygiene are sound, for example, the childminder wipes down the changing mat and disposes of nappies appropriately. The childminder implements firm rules when out walking with the children, for example, they identify the pelican crossing as a safe place to cross busy roads. 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 3 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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