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 EY297836 Inspection date 10/02/2009 Inspector Alison Weaver

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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 2004. She has a recognised childcare qualification. She lives with her husband and three children, aged 15, 13 and five years. They live in a house in Willingdon near to shops, schools, parks and a library. The whole of the ground floor, including a downstairs toilet, and two upstairs bedrooms are used for childminding. The majority of the fully enclosed garden is available for outdoor play. There are a few steps out to the garden. The childminder has two dogs and guinea pigs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged up to 11 years. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder is developing a good knowledge of children’s individual learning needs in order to help promote their development. Overall, children’s safety and well-being are effectively promoted. The childminder is beginning to develop links with parents and other providers to involve them in children’s learning and assessment. The childminder's most recent self-evaluation shows a developing awareness of her weaknesses and a commitment to improving outcomes for children.

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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 parents and other providers to share information and contribute to children's learning and development.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out full risk assessments for all outings (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 24/02/2009

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provision

The childminder has good safeguarding procedures in place to help protect children. She is clear about her responsibility to report possible cases of abuse or neglect. She ensures that children are closely supervised at all times. The childminder has made her home safe and secure so that children can play free This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 from harm. She has carried out formal risk assessments for the home but has not done any for outings. However, she has good procedures for keeping children safe outside the home and she ensures that they are made aware of the potential dangers.

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provision

All the required records are in place to support the welfare of children. In addition, the childminder has a good range of policies that she shares with parents so that they are clear about the care she provides for children. She works closely with parents and ensures that she has the necessary information about each child so that she can respect their wishes and give the necessary support. They share information about their child's care on a daily basis and the childminder has started to show them some of her records about children’s learning and development. She has not fully developed ways for parents to be more involved in the assessment process.

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provision

The childminder has just begun to review her current practices. She has sought input from parents and used their feedback to improve the care she offers children. The childminder is beginning to identify areas that she feels need to be developed and is taking steps to address these. She keeps up to date with childcare issues by attending training and workshops. These help the childminder continue to develop her own skills and her knowledge of how to successfully implement the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and form good relationships with the childminder. Their sense of belonging is promoted as each child has their own special coat peg. They make their own choices from a wide variety of safe and suitable toys and equipment. The childminder makes good use of a file containing pictures of toys that she has stored outside. Children look at the file and decide what they would like to play with the next day. They enjoy doing puzzles and tackle difficult ones with the childminder’s support. They show concentration and persistence as they play with the construction materials, learning about colours and shapes.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s independence is developing well, for example, they get out a bowl for themselves and peel their own fruit when it is snack time. They behave well with the childminder and benefit from the positive praise and encouragement. The childminder has appropriate methods for managing behaviour and encourages children to think about how their behaviour impacts on others. The childminder teaches children about safety as they go on outings. They also talk about what to do if the smoke alarm goes off and the dangers of matches.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder keeps the environment clean and has good hygiene procedures. Children are encouraged to develop good personal hygiene, for example, by bringing their own toothbrushes and paste so they can clean their teeth after meals. They learn about germs as they wash their hands and blow their noses. The childminder offers healthy meals and snacks for the children. Children have plenty of opportunities to play in the fresh air and enjoy physical exercise. The children learn about the wider world as they go on bug hunts and do the weather This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 chart together. They develop an understanding of other people and countries through a wide variety of fun activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a good observation and assessment system in place that enables her to monitor individual children’s progress in all areas of learning. She uses it to identify the next steps for each child and informally plan how to extend their learning and development. This results in children making good progress towards the early learning goals. Overall, the childminder interacts effectively with the children and helps them learn through play. She gives them a good level of care and emotional support. Children’s language skills are generally promoted well, although sometimes the childminder uses questioning that does not encourage them to expand their thoughts and learn to form sentences. 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 the last inspection.

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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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