Briggs, Claire Hilda

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 EY377926 Inspection date 31/03/2009 Inspector Christine McInally

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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 was registered in 2008. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and two years in Burgess Hill, West Sussex. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler groups. The childminder is a member of a local childminder support group. There is a pet cat within the household.

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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 four children under eight years at anyone time. She also cares for children aged over eight years. She is currently caring for two children, of these, one is in the early years age range. The children are cared for as and when needed.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides a warm, welcoming and inclusive environment for children and their families. She has a good knowledge of children and their individual needs, interests and abilities and effectively plans a wide range of activities that are designed to stimulate their interest and learning. The childminder fosters close working relationships with parents helping to fully support children's development and learning. Through the use of self-evaluation she is able to reflect on her practice and demonstrates a good capacity for improving what is offered to the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 analyse your observations of children's development to help you plan more effectively their next steps in learning.

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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 creatively organises her home and resources to actively stimulate the children's interest and enable children to move around spontaneously and independently. The childminder self-evaluates her practice and seeks feedback from parents in order to enhance the service she offers.

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provision

Children benefit from the established relationships in place between the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 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.

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provision

The childminder conscientiously maintains children's well-being by continuously monitoring safety issues in and around the home, and by supervising children closely. She understands and addresses children's developmental changes through a process of ongoing risk assessments to keep the environment safe as children grow. 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.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides an exceptionally warm, caring and purposeful playful environment where children feel secure and enjoy a wide variety of learning experiences. There is a balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities, which help children to be active learners. The childminder takes individual children's interests into account when planning activities and effectively includes the six areas of learning. Activities stem from understanding what children can do and how learning can be extended. The childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of children's developing needs and provides them with a broad and interesting range of activities and play opportunities. These are appropriate to children's individual ages and stages of development. However, the current system of observation and assessment to monitor children's progress does not clearly identify the next steps in their learning and how this will be promoted. Children are

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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 what they have in their shopping baskets during imaginative play or as they play with the electronic piano. Children develop a sense of belonging through regular outings, including walks and visits to local shops and parks. They enjoy easy access to the garden and develop their physical skills as they play on the range of equipment available. Children benefit from participating in a good all round range of activities such as music, dancing, and imaginary and creative play. Children have good opportunities to learn about themselves and the world around them through planned activities and the range of resources available to them which reflect diversity.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a welcoming, healthy and safe environment. The childminder actively promotes good hygiene practices to minimise the risk of cross- infection. Children know that they must wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet, they talk about washing the germs off their hands to make sure they are clean. She 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. The childminder has developed a written risk assessment which is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 reviewed on a regular basis. Children are consistently helped to develop an understanding of keeping themselves safe, for example, through discussions about road safety and as they practise fire evacuation procedures. The childminder's home offers a warm welcoming environment which is very effectively organised to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

provide a child-centred space. Children use a good range of safe and developmentally appropriate resources that are easily accessible to encourage their independence. The childminder works closely with the parents to ensure that children gain the necessary nutritional balance for positive growth in a very caring environment. Their social development is effectively promoted as they sit together to enjoy their meals and snacks. Children behave extremely well they are enthusiastic and well motivated; they benefit from the consistent praise and encouragement offered by the childminder. They gain confidence as the childminder acknowledges them as important individuals. 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? 2 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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