Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY433849 Inspection date 20/06/2012 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 2011. She lives with her three children aged 18, 16 and nine years in a village close to Dereham, Norfolk. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding purposes. There is a secure garden for outdoor play. The family has a dog and two cats.

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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, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently three children attending who are within the early years age range all of whom attend on a part-time basis. Overnight care is not provided. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 in the Early Years Foundation Stage are making good progress in their learning and development. They are supported by a caring and knowledgeable childminder who provides a generally well planned, varied and interesting range of activities, which enables children to participate at their own level. Children's individual needs are met because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child and works closely with their parents. The required documentation and most policies are in place and well maintained to support the effective management of the setting. The childminder has a positive attitude to improvement and reflects on her provision, leading to the identification of some areas for future development.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the system for planning to show how each child's learning and development will be supported through the activities provided  develop further the process of self-evaluation and the use of reflective practice to identify and target areas for future development to further improve the quality of the provision for children.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded and protected because the childminder has a clear understanding of her role with regard to child protection. Her knowledge of the local safeguarding procedures ensures that she has strategies in place to manage any concerns she may have about children in her care. Furthermore, the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder ensures that all adults living in the home have undergone the vetting process. Children are able to play safely because the childminder carries out a visual check of all areas of the home before children arrive each day, ensuring hazards are identified and the risks to children are minimised. Furthermore, children's safety is assured while on outings as the childminder carries out a risk assessment in advance and continually monitors the risks. Considerable care has been taken within the home to enable children's play and provide them with a

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the early years provision

safe, stimulating and child-centred environment. Resources are set out daily to entice the children, from an early age, to explore and engage in a range of activities of their own choosing. Equipment is of good quality and well maintained to fully support children's different stages of learning and development.

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the early years provision

Children are cared for by an experienced childminder who has a good understanding of how children learn. She clearly enjoys her role and ensures that all children and their families are welcome. Children see positive images of diversity in the easily accessible resources, such as books and toys they handle every day. The childminder reflects on her practice and is aware of her strengths and aspects of the provision that she wishes to develop in the future. However, the childminder has not yet developed her action plan to target priorities identified for the future development of the provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder places high value on the importance of working with parents. She gathers detailed information about children's individual and changing needs during her daily discussions with parents. In addition, daily diaries are used to record the day's events and activities enjoyed, so parents are able to share in their children's experiences. Policies and working practices are discussed with parents as their children start attending and relevant contact numbers are provided, including contact details should they wish to make a complaint or raise a concern about their children's care. The childminder works in partnership with other settings the children attend in order to promote consistency in care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and confident, and there is a warm relationship between the childminder and each child. They make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder has a thorough understanding of how to support children's learning through play and first-hand experiences. She provides high levels of individual time and is attentive to children's needs, ensuring they thrive and become confident and independent individuals. The childminder observes the children in their play, recording their achievements and taking photographs of them to illustrate the activities they enjoy. She takes children's interests and stage of development into consideration when planning and setting out resources each day. However, planning does not consistently show how each child's learning and development will be supported through the activities provided and therefore some opportunities might be missed.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy the freedom of selecting resources which interest them. Their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 natural curiosity is promoted as they thoroughly enjoy exploring a variety of resources. Young children particularly enjoy playing with musical toys and express their delight as they press buttons to make a variety of sounds. They dance or sway to the music and beam with pride at their achievements. Children watch closely and copy the childminder's actions, developing their hand and eye coordination as they move objects in and out or through. Children enjoy playing with balls, rolling these backwards and forwards or throwing. Younger children's coordination and physical skills are developed as they use sturdy furniture to pull themselves to standing and practise walking using push-a-long walkers. Activities are available which encourage number recognition and counting. They enjoy

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and outcomes for children

games, matching sounds to letters or words with pictures. The childminder promotes children's emerging speech and language by naming objects around the home or in books and encouraging children to copy. Children thrive on the praise they frequently receive. Creative opportunities are regularly provided and children explore sand, dough and paint. They use their imagination during play with dolls, small figures, trains and cars. A variety of outings enables children to socialise with their peers and extend their learning opportunities. Children regularly visit local pre-school groups, attend rhyme-time in the library and enjoy stories as part of their quiet time before a nap. The childminder is very sensitive to children's needs, observing when they become tired and settling children following their own routine. Babies are held while being fed and develop strong bonds with the childminder, ensuring they experience a strong sense of belonging in the setting.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses walks and trips to the local park to point out aspects of the natural world.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder encourages children to have a healthy attitude towards food because she makes sure they have balanced and nutritious meals and snacks. Children can help themselves to drinking water to ensure they are well-hydrated. Children enjoy lots of opportunities for exercise in the garden or at the local park where they can move freely and practise their physical skills. This helps them to develop good muscle control, develop a positive attitude to being outdoors and sense of overall well-being. The childminder is fully aware of her duties to safeguard children. She helps children to be aware of being safe, both in and out of the home and on outings. For example, she practises safe road crossing and talks to children about the dangers of speaking to strangers while out of the home. Children behave well because the childminder has clear boundaries to help them understand about taking turns, being kind and considerate of others. As a

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and outcomes for children

consequence, children are developing skills which will equip them well for their future learning. 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 2 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 put in place a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email (Procedures for dealing with complaints) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 20/07/2012

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Arrangements for dealing with complaints). 20/07/2012

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