Childminder, Out-of school day care in Surrey

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 EY372450 Inspection date 02/10/2008 Inspector Amanda May

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 2008. She lives with her school aged child in a residential area close to Horsell, Woking, St John's and Goldsworth Park. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding with an upstairs bedroom available as a second supervised play area. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time on the Early Years Register and there are currently two children on roll. The childminder is also registered to provide care under the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register, where there is one child on roll. The childminder has a dog and several small pets. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are making good progress in their learning and development and enjoy a variety of activities with the childminder. Close friendships are evident and children are confident in their abilities.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a sound awareness of how to ensure children are treated as individuals and takes particular account of their interests and specific individual needs. This ensures children generally feel secure and at home in their surroundings.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of regularly reviewing her service and makes changes to her practice to ensure she is able to continuously improve to benefit children in their care, learning and play.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 review methods for registering children's attendance at the setting to ensure records are detailed and robust  develop relationships with parents to seek information about children's starting points of learning and extend arrangements for observing and assessing children to ensure planned activities meet their changing individual needs.  extend resources to aid children in their understanding of different cultures and beliefs within their local communities and the wider world.

p.3

further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.3

further?

 ensure relevant details of children's personal information such as their full names, addresses and date of birth are kept on premises at all times 09/10/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 (Documentation).

p.3

provision

The childminder understands her setting very well. She identifies key areas for improvement and puts changes into place to improve the experiences of children who attend. The childminder has identified areas of weakness in her service in the past and has worked with parents to meet the changing needs of the setting. The childminder has a wide range of written policies and procedures which are provided to parents. This ensures that they are aware of the childminder's service.

p.4

provision

Children have access to a range of resources and the childminder makes good use of space allowing children to spread out during their play. The childminder makes use of appropriate training opportunities to develop her knowledge and to improve the service to children and parents alike. She has links with other childminders which allows opportunities for children to socialise with new friends and allow the childminder to share ideas and best practice with other practitioners.

p.4

provision

The childminder spends time discussing with parents children's individual needs and seeks information about children's likes and dislikes. Information is also sought concerning children's backgrounds and cultures to help the childminder meet the needs of all children and to ensure they feel valued within the setting. The childminder spends time talking to parents about children's interests, however, she does not currently find information out about children's current abilities and levels of development. This means that children are not always immediately challenged and that activities provided may not always be appropriate to their learning needs.

p.4

provision

Children's information sheets provide details about children's personal information and the childminder has signed consent from parents to seek help and medical support in an emergency. However, one child does not have the required information on file relating to their name, address and date of birth. This is a breach of regulations and puts children's safety at risk.

p.4

provision

The childminder seeks to ensure children are safeguarded whilst they are in her care. Children are reminded how to be safe during play and the childminder quickly assesses the risks within her home in relation to the activity which children are enjoying. For example, when children are bouncing and catching balloons, the childminder quickly clears the area and tucks chairs under the table to minimise the risk of injury. Written risk assessments are also carried out which the childminder reviews, although these are not regularly updated to show when identified risks have been addressed. The childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework although current procedures for recording children's attendance are not consistently robust and require some improvement to ensure records are full and precise.

p.4

provision

The childminder has sound procedures in place to follow if she had concerns about a child's welfare in relation to safeguarding children. She has written details of who This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 she would need to share her concerns with and would refer to these to update her knowledge when required. Documentation is also in place for her to follow to ensure she is aware of her local authority's safeguarding procedures.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making very good progress in their learning and development. The childminder offers a range of interesting and exciting activities and children are engrossed and stimulated throughout the day. Children's interests are taken into account as the childminder provides resources which build on their previous experiences. The childminder buys balloons for children to play with after noticing children show an interest in them. They try to copy the childminder by blowing them up and giggle hysterically as they let them go, watching them whiz around the room. The childminder encourages children to get involved and talks to them throughout each activity, pointing out the different sizes of balloons and the various colours.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's skills are observed during activities and although current methods for observing children are fairly informal, the childminder notices new skills children have found for example using scissors and the other one handed utensils as they play with play dough. Children are offered a range of cutters and the childminder challenges children to see how they use some scissors. Children show immediate interest and skill as they cut the play dough into small pieces and later attempt to cut other materials such as a biscuit and some cake during snack time. The childminder allows children to experiment whilst they develop an awareness of different textures. Children are pleased with their work and enjoy being given the freedom to extend their own play and learning. The childminder has lots of ideas to support children in their learning, however, methods for assessing children's next steps require improvement to ensure children are supported and challenged in all

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are supported in learning more about the world around them and children enjoy visits into their local community. However, currently resources to encourage children to develop their awareness of other people's cultures, beliefs and traditions are lacking.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder encourages children to develop their understanding of being healthy and making healthy choices. They enjoy outside play in the garden and visiting local parks and indoor soft play areas. Children make choices about the food they eat and enjoy choosing between grapes, banana and home baked cake as they sit down together at the table for a snack. The childminder is aware of individual children's dietary needs and works with parents to ensure children are well supported and encouraged to taste new foods. Children enjoy their meals after being supported in wiping their own hands and faces.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder talks to children about the different things she is doing and encourages them to learn to be safe during their play. Children are able to take achievable risks and the childminder ensures supervision of children is effective to ensure they remain safe. The childminder has devised collection procedures to allow This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 named adults to collect children in a parent's absence. This helps to ensure that children are protected from harm and are only released into the care of someone previously agreed by parents.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have a clear understanding of expectations of their behaviour and as they are stimulated and interested in their activities, behaviour at the setting is good. Children help one another, for example, holding out a hand to a toddler to help them down a small step. The childminder praises children for their support and children are proud of their own achievements. This raises children's self-esteem and confidence. Children are making very good progress and enjoy the varied experiences provided. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.7

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

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

p.7

Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Good

p.7

Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Satisfactory

p.7

Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Satisfactory

p.7

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Good How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

p.7

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Good

p.7

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.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8

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.8

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.9

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.9

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

p.9

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.9