Childminder in PortsmouthOfsted inspection, 20 Apr 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 EY281944 Inspection date 20/04/2009 Inspector Clare Moore

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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 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children in a residential area of Buckland, Portsmouth. All areas of the home are accessible to the children except the master bedroom. There is a secure garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. This includes overnight care for one child. She is currently minding two children in the early years age range all day, and one child over five before and after school. She also provides care for children who are more than eight years of age. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children and visits toddler groups, the library, indoor play settings, community parks and shops. The family has two pet cats.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder's calm and positive approach and her excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage creates an environment conducive to stability and learning. All children are valued and included and their individual needs respected. The childminder works exceptionally well with parents and other providers.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 develop administering medication procedures in line with current legislation  further promote positive attitudes to diversity through activities that encourage children to talk about similarities and differences and the reasons for these.

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provision

The childminder continuously looks to evaluate the provision and make improvements. She acts on recommendations made at inspections and has introduced making observations, assessments, planning and comprehensive daily diaries for younger children. She has attended training courses to enable her to put the Early Years Foundation Stage framework into practice and promote better outcomes for children. She has a highly effective partnership with parents and seeks their views through regular discussion and using questionnaires. She keeps parents very well informed about her practice through sharing policies, sharing information she has collated on the early learning goals, and displays about This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 activities, routines and complaints procedures. She also has daily discussions with them at collection and pick-up times. She liaises with pre-schools and schools that

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provision

children attend to help children settle and to continue with themes that children are engaged in, such as practising writing skills and growing seeds. Children are safeguarded very well because the childminder is knowledgeable about child protection and has reference information available.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children settle in confidently and thrive as the childminder makes sure she knows each individual well to help them to keep them safe, learn and develop. Older children find out about keeping themselves safe through operating the pelican crossing, looking and listening before considering if it is safe to cross roads. Younger children start to appreciate danger as the childminder highlights hazards in a positive way. All children take part in evacuation practice which equips them to take action and to leave the premises efficiently should the need arise.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are robustly healthy as they are offered home prepared nutritious food at regular intervals and find out about healthy eating through helping to prepare food and growing fruit and vegetables. They know about the importance of drinking sufficient fluids as the childminder reminds them, particularly during hot weather. The childminder has excellent first aid and emergency systems in place and most aspects of medication are according to current guidelines.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make excellent progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder finds out about starting points from parents and her observations. She uses this information along with the guidance to plan the next steps of learning in an enjoyable and interesting way that is tailored to the needs and stages of individual children. For example, during an activity making Easter nests she involves children of different ages so that they are both included and taking part at their own level. Younger children explore their senses through touch, hearing, taste and smell, while older children count out spoonfuls and use fine motor skills to put the mixture into paper cake cases. Children are captivated as they operate a battery powered train and spinning toy. They eagerly build a tower with blocks and share a story with the childminder, pointing at pictures, turning pages, making early word sounds and responding confidently to the childminder's encouragement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

An exciting selection of toys and resources are set out for when children arrive so that they can make their own choices about what they do. Some toys are stored in child accessible drawers and boxes while others are stacked so that younger children are not exposed to toys with small parts that may be harmful. The garden is also very well equipped and this, together with frequent outings to parks and indoor play areas, helps children to keep fit, active and to develop physical skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children take delight in each other's company, their elated faces lighting up to greet their friends. Older children play very well together often using their imagination in elaborate pretend play. They behave exceptionally well, taking their shoes off when entering the house, taking turns in play and tidying up afterwards. They explore differences in a positive way as they interact with each other and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 others outside the setting, however they engage less frequently in follow-up activities that are designed to raise awareness. 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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

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