Childminder in West Sussex

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY307876 Inspection date 12/11/2008 Inspector Christine McInally

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

p.2

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).

p.2

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. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her partner and their child aged four years in Crawley. The property comprises of a semi-detached house situated in a residential street, close to Crawley town centre and local amenities. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. She takes children on regular outings to the local park, shops and library.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. She also cares for children aged over eight years. She is currently caring for seven children, of these, two are on the Early Years Register.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a very happy, welcoming and inclusive environment where all children are motivated and extremely well cared for. The childminder provides a good range of resources and activities that interests the children and meets their individual needs. She has put in place a system to assess and record children's learning and achievements and uses the information gathered to plan for their next steps in learning. The childminder fosters close working relationships with parents helping to fully support children's development and learning, however, she has yet to build such strong links with other providers. While the childminder is vigilant about safety within the home and on outings she does not maintain a record of her risk assessments. She is beginning to reflect on her practice through the use of self- evaluation and demonstrates a good capacity for improving what is offered to the children.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 ensure a record of risk assessments is maintained  liaise with other providers delivering Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure progression and continuity of care.

p.3

provision

The childminder has created an extremely warm and inviting environment for children and parents. She is highly efficient and very professional in her childminding service. She maintains detailed records and has a comprehensive range of written policies and procedures to support the care and welfare needs of children. The childminder has an extremely positive approach to her professional development and is currently undertaking an early years degree. The childminder self-evaluates her practice and seeks feedback from parents in order to enhance This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the service she offers. She has addressed the recommendation made at the last inspection by now including her complaints procedure and Ofsted's contact details in her information pack for parents.

p.3

provision

Children benefit from the established relationships in place between the childminder and their parents. They work closely together and share plenty of information which positively impacts on children's care, welfare, development and learning. Parents feel very confident to express their views verbally as well as through parental questionnaires, which are well received and the feedback from them is valued and acted upon by the childminder. However, the childminder has not yet formed effective links with all providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to children in her care.

p.4

provision

Children's safety and welfare is of paramount importance. The childminder conducts risk assessments and is vigilant in protecting children from hazards both inside and outside the home. However, a record of the risk assessments is not kept and potentially this impacts upon children's safety. Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a very clear understanding of child protection policies and procedures. She is aware of her role and responsibility to protect the children in her care. Parents are made aware of her child protection policy so that they know what action she will take if she has any concerns.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children feel loved and supported within the childminder's home where they enjoy their play and learning. They have fun together and form trusting relationships. Children are actively involved in well-planned activities and play opportunities which effectively promote their development and learning. The childminder ensures a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities which increases their confidence and self esteem. The childminder takes individual children's interests into account when planning activities and effectively includes the six areas of learning. Children's ability and involvement in different activities is observed and recorded. The childminder uses the information gathered to plan for children's next steps in learning. Individual files are being developed to show how children are progressing. Photographs are well used to illustrate the wealth of learning opportunities offered and how these relate to the aspects within the six areas of learning. Children are

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

fully involved and interested in the various activities available to them because the childminder joins in and consistently talks to them about what they are doing, for example, as they discuss the large floor jigsaw or as they play with the train layout. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contributes to their imaginative, physical, creative and language skills, such as role play, drawing, music and construction. They enjoy looking at books, both independently and with the childminder. They develop good counting skills through a variety of activities and daily routines. Visits to the local toddler group and to other childminders foster children's social skills well. Children enjoy physical play and access a variety of outdoor toys and resources to use in the rear garden and the local park. The childminder has a very positive attitude towards equality and how to support children with additional learning needs or disabilities so that each child is

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

acknowledged as being unique. Children have good opportunities to learn about This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 themselves and the world around them through planned activities and the range of resources available to them which reflect diversity. Children develop a sense of place and learn about where they live through regular outings to places of interest, such as Tulley's Farm and the London Maritime Museum.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a welcoming, healthy and safe environment. The childminder has a good understanding of safety and all reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that the environment in which children are cared for is safe and secure. Children are learning about keeping safe, especially when on outings. They are informed why they have to be strapped into the car seat and have the opportunity to practice the emergency evacuation procedures. The childminder actively promotes good hygiene practices to minimise the risk of cross-infection. She teaches children the importance of good hand washing routines; she explains why this is necessary so that children learn the importance of good personal hygiene. Children benefit from having a healthy diet, which includes good quality foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables. Their social development is very effectively promoted as they sit together to enjoy their meals and snacks. The childminder acts as a good

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

role model and uses effective strategies to promote positive behaviour, consequently children relate very well with each other and the childminder. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.6

Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

p.8

Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.8