Childminder in Brighton and HoveOfsted inspection, 28 Jan 2009

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 EY257114 Inspection date 28/01/2009 Inspector Lisa Toole

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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 registered in 2003. He lives with his wife and two children aged 14 and 11 years. His wife is also a registered childminder and they work together. They live in a house in Hove, East Sussex. Some of the ground floor of the premises are used for childminding and first and second floor bedrooms are used for sleeping children. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time, three of whom may be in the early years age group. When working with another childminder he may care for six children at any one time, six of whom may be in the early years age group. He is currently minding nine children under five years. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. He is not registered to provide overnight care.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder is meeting all of the required welfare, learning and development requirements as part of his responsibilities to safeguard and care for children. The uniqueness of each child is acknowledged, through a collaborative partnership with parents, where the childminder knows the children very well. This results in children learning at an appropriate pace, according to their individual needs and they are making good progress in their learning towards the early learning goals.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop opportunities for children to make independent choices about what they do and play with  further enhance the understanding of inclusion and how to teach children about the world around them  review the procedures for maintaining/cleaning toys and resources as part of the systems to promote children's good health.

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provision

All of the required documentation is in place and is appropriately maintained. This, along with effective risk assessments and safety measures in place, help safeguard children. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of his responsibilities regarding child protection and he ensures that children also have opportunities to learn about their own personal safety. He has a positive attitude towards his childminding practice and he works well together with his co- childminder for the benefit of the children in his care. The systems for self- evaluation and continuous development are in their initial stages and although the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder completed a self-evaluation form, he did not clearly demonstrate his next steps for further improvement, so that he enhances his minding practices further.

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provision

An inclusive environment is offered for all children, with consideration given to each child's individual needs, preferences and stages of development. The childminder has some understanding about how to promote inclusion, through topic work and the resources he has, but there is a need to further develop this area of his practice, to ensure that a fully inclusive service is provided. There is a good partnership with parents, which clearly benefits the children. There is a good two-way flow of information between the childminder and parents and the children's scrapbooks and developmental records are sent home on a regular basis. The childminder is also actively seeking to liaise with other settings the children attend, to further support the children's care, play and learning needs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder promotes the welfare, learning and developmental needs of all of the children in his care. This is evident in how settled, comfortable and secure the children are and how the childminder interacts with them. The day is well organised, with children's specific routines followed from home for consistency of care and meeting their individual care needs. Children benefit from a stimulating learning environment, where they engage in a variety of activities based around the six areas of learning. Some of the activities are adult directed, which, at times, can limit how children are able to make their own decisions about what they do and play with. There is also a need to further enhance the range of activities provided for children to learn about the world around them, about technology and living things. Nevertheless, the childminder is playful with the children, so they have fun, continue to be active, inquisitive learners who are developing new skills

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

all the time. The childminder has a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, of how to challenge children and competently describes what he intends children to learn from their play experiences. He carries out regular observations and assessments to track children's progress, identifying future steps for learning in their developmental records. The children each have a scrapbook where there are examples of their art work, photographs of them engaged in activities and links to the different areas of learning. These records are delightful and a positive reflection of the minded children, who also relish opportunities to look at these scrapbooks together.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are appropriately cared for if they become ill or have an accident while in the childminder's care. He has a current paediatric first aid certificate in place and helps promote good hygiene practices with the children, as part of them learning to be healthy. Activities such as dancing and outdoor play enable children to burn off energy and learn to manoeuvre their bodies in different ways. Although there is an appropriate range of toys and play equipment, some of it appears a little grubby and this impacts on the children's good health. Children's dietary needs are supported; they remain hydrated through the day with regular drinks of water and enjoy the social aspects of sitting together for lunch, whilst also learning about good table manners. The children behave well, play together co-operatively and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are taught about right and wrong, as part of their personal development. Praise

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and encouragement show children that they are valued, and this helps them foster their feelings of confidence and pride. 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? 3 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

Concerns were received in October 2008 about a minded child sustaining a serious unexplained injury and Ofsted had not been notified by the childminder. We liaised with outside agencies and an unannounced visit was conducted on 29 October 2008. During the visit the childcare inspector made observations, looked at documentation and discussed the concerns in detail with the childminder. As a result of the visit the following actions were set for the provider to ensure that Ofsted is notified of all significant events as part of the system to safeguard children; ensure that the premises and equipment is organised in a way that meets the needs of children and that risk assessments are carried out and reviewed to ensure that hazards to children are kept to a minimum. An action reply slip was received with information showing that the childminder took appropriate steps to meet the actions set. We were then satisfied that the Welfare Requirements were

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Detail of the complaint/s

being met and the childminder remains registered with Ofsted.

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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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