Childminder in Suffolk

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 January 2016 23 May 2011

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The childminding setting is very much led by children. Children make choices about what they want to play with from a wide range of toys and resources that suits their individual stages of development. Children make good progress in their learning and development, preparing them well for their eventual move to school.  The childminder and his co-childminder provide children with a welcoming environment where they safely learn through play. Children have consistent boundaries and familiar routines. Children are happy, settled and share warm and trusting relationships with the childminder, his co-childminder and their assistant.  Children develop self-care skills and learn about healthy practices, such as handwashing before snacks and meals. Children have their meals and snacks in a relaxed and social atmosphere.  The childminder, his co-childminder and assistant form effective partnerships with parents and carers. They communicate with them on a daily basis and share

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This provision is good

information about their children's day.  The childminder helps to prepare children for the next stages in their learning. For example, he provides opportunities for children to become familiar with other settings as they often walk with the childminder to collect older children from school.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasions, the childminder does not always make the most of opportunities to fully promote children's early reading skills in order for them to make rapid progress in this aspect of their learning.  There is scope to strengthen the performance management and monitoring systems further, to have a clear plan for building on the already good practice.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 use every opportunity to enrich children's early reading skills  extend the existing systems for the monitoring of staff performance to continue to strengthen and improve on good practice.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder, his co-childminder and one of the assistants at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector spoke to children and carried out a focused observation.  The inspector looked at a range of records, including the childminder's self-evaluation, records of children's learning and development and a selection of policies.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the childminder and staff working in the setting.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.  The inspector looked at written testimonials from parents.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder and his assistants fully understand their role and responsibility in protecting children from harm. They know what to do if they have a concern about a child in their care. Appropriate checks are carried out on all household members and assistants to ensure they are suitable to have regular contact with children. The childminder attends mandatory training, such as child protection and first aid. He keeps up to date with developments in childcare practices, in order to extend children's learning experiences. The childminder and his co-childminder evaluate their setting and seek the views of parents through questionnaires. The childminder monitors the practice of his assistants through occasional, informal discussions. However, there is scope to strengthen the performance management and monitoring systems further, to have a clear plan for building on the already good practice. Written testimonials from parents and

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

carers are very complimentary. They state that they are very happy with the care their children receive. They would happily recommend the childminding provision.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder, his co-childminder and assistants get to know children well. They keep a record of observations, using photographs and written evidence, about what children are doing. They effectively use these to identify the next steps in children's learning. The childminder joins in with children's play experiences and interacts purposefully to support their learning and development. The childminder and his assistant effectively promote the development of children's speech and language skills. They respond well to children's vocalisations and sensitively repeat words back, so that they can hear them pronounced correctly. The childminder supports older children to count items while they play. Children enjoy singing sessions with the childminder. They eagerly copy the actions to their favourite songs and join in with the familiar words.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder works closely with his co-childminder and assistants, as a team, to ensure children have attention given to all their care needs. They work in partnership with parents and carers to support children effectively. Parents and children are warmly welcomed into the childminder's home and form trusting relationships. As a result, children's individual needs are met exceptionally well. The childminder and his assistant routinely offer praise as they recognise children's efforts and achievements. This enables children to develop their confidence and self-esteem. Children have daily opportunities to play in fresh air, in all weathers, helping them to stay healthy. Safety is paramount and all aspects are fully considered, so children can take risks and challenge themselves in a fully safe and supported manner. Children show their sense of belonging and complete confidence, as they engage with their friends and resources available to them.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress in their learning, regardless of their age or capabilities. Children are developing good basic skills and positive attitudes that will help prepare them for the next stage in their learning, such as nursery or school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY273570 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 848586 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 10 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 20

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2003 and lives in Lowestoft, Suffolk. He works alongside his wife who is also a registered childminder. He also works with assistants. The childminding provision operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Telephone number

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.

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Telephone number

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

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Telephone number

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 reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Telephone number

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Telephone number

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

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