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Early years · Early years inspection (CIF)

Childminder in Norfolk

Inspected 8 Nov 2012 · published 5 Dec 2012 · URN EY433259

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Summary

Requires improvement

Gill Thornton

What we read, and from where

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  • Inspection datesingle source

    8 Nov 2012

  • Inspectors verified

    Gill Thornton

  • Overall effectivenesssingle source

    Requires improvement

  • URN verified

    EY433259

Page 1 of 8
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

In plain English

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Grade profile

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  • OverallRequires improvement

Tone of the report

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+30Mostly positivemore positive than 77% of reports of this type graded Requires improvement
OutstandingGoodMetRINot metInadequate

In line with other reports of this type graded Requires improvement.

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Praiseenjoyhappyvery wellstrongsecurewell-designedeffectivelyrich
Criticisminadequatefailednot metconcernrequires improvementnot yet

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FindingsAbout the inspectionWhat needs to improve positive critical
  • Findings167w+59
  • What needs to improve1374w+24

Strengths

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No standout praise found.

Concerns

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No strong criticism found.

Next steps

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Anatomy of the report

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Pages
8
Words of findings
1,499
longer than usual (typical 773)
Reading level
Hard
Flesch 44, typical 48
Average sentence
19 words
Next steps
8
typical 8
Hedged sentences
6%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 7%What needs to improve 56%About the inspection 37%

Full report text

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 08/11/2012 09/02/2012

p.1

early years provision

This inspection: 3 Previous inspection: 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 3 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 3

p.1

This provision is satisfactory

 Children are happy and well cared for. They settle well because the childminder follows well-established routines and she supports children in their home language.  Children are cared for in a bright and spacious dedicated playroom which contains all the facilities to support their care and welfare.  Children enjoy meals prepared and cooked by the childminder, such as soups or casseroles containing meat and fresh vegetables.

p.1

It is not yet good because

 The childminder does not yet use observation and assessment effectively to plan for children's next steps in developmental progress.  Children do not have regular opportunities to experience signs, symbols and labels in their everyday play environment to promote their interest in the written word.

p.1

Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are scheduled:  at least once in every inspection cycle. The current cycle ends on 31 July 2016  more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged as inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage; or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised for inspection where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.2

Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the childminder's home and garden.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder and co-childminder.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed evidence of suitability, qualifications, risk assessments and a range of other documentation.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to one parent and took account of comments from parents supplied by the childminder.

p.2

Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2011, she works with her husband, who is her co- childminder, from their house in Kings Lynn, Norfolk. They have two children, one aged under one year and one aged seven years. Her mother, who works as their assistant, also lives with them. Children are mainly cared for in the dedicated playroom in the large conservatory. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder's service operates all year round from 7.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for family holidays agreed in advance. There are currently 11 children on roll, all of whom are within the early years age group. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder supports children for whom English is an additional language and takes and collects children from local schools. The childminder is working towards a relevant level 3

p.2

must:

 ensure ongoing assessment, based on observations of individual children's levels of achievement, interests and learning styles is used to plan motivating learning opportunities in all areas of learning and development.

p.3

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 create an environment rich in print, where children can learn about words, both in English and their home language.

p.3

who attend

The childminder's home provides children with a warm and welcoming play environment. The bright and airy playroom contains a good range of child-accessible storage facilities. Consequently, children can choose from a wide range of toys and resources which promote their interest and enjoyment. The childminder knows the children in her care well and she uses this knowledge to provide a balanced range of suitable activities, that she knows the children will enjoy. For example, adult-led activities, such as, drawing, cooking or dancing are planned each week. The childminder adapts these activities to reflect children's different ages and capabilities so that each child can take part at their own level. However, the childminder does not observe children to identify and plan for possible areas in which to challenge or extend their current interest or development through the Early Years Foundation Stage. For example, although aware of a child's interest in making

p.3

who attend

marks with pens, the childminder does not plan specific age appropriate activities to develop this interest. As a result, children are not fully supported in acquiring the skills and capacity to help them be ready for their next stage in learning.

p.3

who attend

Children learning English as an additional language receive good support in their home language because the childminder mainly cares for children from the same cultural background as herself. As a result, children learn to value their own language and establish a strong foundation for their developing use of English. The childminder speaks mainly to young children in their home language whilst introducing relevant words and phrases in English. For example, counting along in English with a child filling a wheelbarrow with scoopfuls of leaves and encouraging them to say which number comes next. Consequently, children have sufficient opportunities to reach an appropriate level of spoken English to support their transition into school. Parents complete a relevant 'about your child' record when their child starts at the childminder's which provides useful information on their child's family background, likes, temperament and behaviour to help

p.3

who attend

The childminder introduces different activities to the children, such as a newly purchased puzzle. Children initially join in with interest and excitement until it become apparent that the puzzle is rather hard to complete. The childminder playfully makes the most of this disappointment to encourage the children to help her put it away while getting out the ever popular play dough. Older children sing along to English nursery rhymes playing on the television, which the childminder keeps on most of the time in the background to help children become familiar with English. Some written information, such as, 'welcome' in different languages, is displayed on the windows. However, this is out of the line of sight for most children, and the playroom contains little use of signs or examples of the written word, at child height. As a result, there are few opportunities for children to show an interest in print in their everyday environment.

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are happy and settle well in the childminder's care. They soon become familiar with the well-established routines. As a result, they feel secure because they know what is expected of them. For example, children eagerly start putting on their own coats and outside shoes as soon as they know it is time for outdoor play. Even the youngest children confidently attempt to put on their own shoes because the childminder does not rush them to get ready. Consequently, children develop confidence in their own abilities and are therefore prepared to tackle new tasks to aid their future transition into school. The child-sized toilet and hand washing facilities within the playroom provide children with opportunities to develop their own self-care skills.

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children have many opportunities to develop their understanding of the importance of physical exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. They have space indoors to practise their physical skills in comfort and safety and children enjoy access to the large outdoor area on a daily basis. This area is well-resourced with a range of interesting equipment including a play house, climbing equipment, swings, ride-on toys and a covered decking area with role play resources and sand play. A planting area provides children with opportunities to learn about the natural world as they grow their own fruit and vegetables. Children enjoy tucking in to healthy options at lunchtime while they sit together at the well-designed seating area in the playroom. The childminder uses consistent strategies to promote children's understanding of appropriate behaviour. Children are encouraged to share and the childminder explains to

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

them that it is unkind to take a toy that another child is playing with. As a result children learn to take account of the feelings of others. Children are often in no hurry to go home when their parents arrive to collect them.

p.5

provision

The childminder demonstrates an appropriate commitment to improving her practice. Since her last inspection she has focussed on enlarging the playroom and providing children with more resources and facilities to promote their care and well-being. However, she has not updated her knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements of the revised Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. As a result, an effective system of observation and assessment is not in place to monitor and support children's individual progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage. In addition, the childminder has failed to recognise that assessment need not require excessive paper work. To support her professional development the childminder is working towards a relevant level 3 childcare qualification.

p.5

provision

The childminder maintains all the required documentation to ensure children are cared for according to their parent's wishes. Policies are translated into parent's home languages so that they can be confident in understanding the care provided. The childminder has a secure understanding of her responsibilities to safeguard children and the action to follow if she should have a concern. Suitable risk assessments are carried out on all areas accessed by the children, and on outings, to identify possible hazards and the steps required to ensure children's safety. Consequently, children are safe and secure in the childminder's care. The childminder takes responsibility for ensuring the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are met, whereas her co- childminder shares responsibility for children's day to day care and development. As a team they work well together to provide children with a supportive and inclusive

p.5

provision

Parents receive adequate information about what their children have done each day. Parents comment on how happy their children are in the childminder's care and they value the benefit to their children of being able to enjoy the large outdoor area. The childminder shares information verbally with the local school attended by some of the children in her care to promote consistency of approach.

p.5

The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met

p.5

Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

p.6

Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

p.6

Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.6

Setting details

Unique reference number EY433259 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 890812 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 10 Number of children on roll 11

p.6

Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

p.7

Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

p.7

Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

p.7

Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

p.7

Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises that are usually their own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.7

Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

p.7

Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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