Childminder in East 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

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Unique reference number EY374488 Inspection date 01/12/2008 Inspector Sue Taylor

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Type of setting Childminder 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 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.

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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. 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 has been registered since 2008. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and four years. All areas of the ground floor are available to minded children, with occasional use of bedrooms on the first floor for sleeping babies. The back garden is also available for outside play although this is only used under the childminder's direct supervision. The family has goldfish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children on the Early Years Register and the compulsory Childcare Register, at any one time. She is also registered on the voluntary Childcare Register. She currently minds two children in the early years age range and two children on the compulsory part and one child on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder offers a warm welcome to children who are well supported in their individual care needs. Overall, they make progress in their learning and development. The childminder has only recently begun minding and as yet the assessment and evaluation systems are not thorough and this limits the detail available to plan for children’s next steps and share with others.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve safety by ensuring that the garden is fully enclosed and secure  develop systems to ensure observations are effectively evaluated across the six areas of learning, used to identify and plan for individual children's next steps in their learning  encourage the involvement of parents and others in supporting individual children's learning and with contributions to the ongoing assessment process  continue to develop the self evaluation process to ensure children's learning and development progress is fully monitored and evaluated, and that the process includes reflective practice and the identification of priorities for improvement across the framework

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provision

Systems to support children’s learning and development are in place and the childminder is getting to know the children well. However, the tracker books used do not fully reflect the Early Years Foundation Stage, while the observations made tend to be descriptive and not fully evaluate children’s achievements or stage of learning. As a result, the next steps in their progress towards the early learning goals are not identified nor effectively planned for. Positive relationships develop with parents who are well informed about their child’s day through verbal feedback This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and the use of care diaries. They are not actively involved in supporting their child’s learning or encouraged to contribute to the assessment process. The childminder is developing links to enable her to support children with their learning at other settings or school.

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provision

The childminder organises her home to enable children to have easy access to a number of rooms, that are very clean and well maintained. Children’s safety is taken into account and a detailed risk assessment record, that includes outings, is regularly reviewed. Most risks in the garden are minimised, for example, the pond is covered and fenced, although as there is a gap in a neighbouring fence, the garden itself is not fully secure. Parents are well informed about the childminder’s practices from discussion and through reading the detailed policies. These include information about the complaint process and behaviour management. The required documentation, such as the accident record and consents, are in place and well organised. Parents are informed about the procedures taken to help prevent the spread of infection. The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities with regards to child protection and has attended recent training.

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provision

The childminder has begun to record an evaluation of her own practice and although it tends to be more descriptive than evaluative it does demonstrate that she has an awareness of the areas for improvement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have easy and safe access to a wide range of good quality toys and resources. Some of these provide positive images of people with disabilities that the childminder uses to help children gain respect for differences. Children’s learning is supported with a good selection of books and the availability of paper and pencils for mark making. Children care for their own pot of bulbs and have been involved in planting in the garden. Young children enjoy exploring a box of different items and textures, as well as investigating man made toys that make noises and move. The older children are involved in number games and have fun during the cooking activities. All children enjoy looking at the photos of themselves involved in a range of activities and outings. The assessment process is less effective in identifying and planning for the next steps in their progress. The childminder helps support children with some activities that relate to their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

She develops caring relationships with the children, getting to know their likes and dislikes. She is sensitive to young children’s needs, such as providing a drink when they wake. Children are kept safe in the home and practise fire drills, so they know what to do in the event of a fire. Children get to play in the fresh air and have exercise as they walk to and from school or visit the park and beach. The childminder ensures she takes all relevant details with her on outings. They are encouraged to have independence as they access the toilet when they need and learn to wash their hands. Children benefit from healthy snacks and balanced home cooked meals such as soup, wholemeal bread sandwiches or jacket potatoes. Drinking water is always available, enabling children to control their own thirst needs. Individual needs and the wishes of parents are respected and appropriately met. Children learn to share and play together.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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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

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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?

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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

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

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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.

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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.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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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.

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