Childminder in Hampshire

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 EY264443 Inspection date 23/01/2009 Inspector Jenny Scarlett

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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 for a number of years and re-registered in 2003. She lives with her family in Andover, Hampshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. Children have supervised access to the bathroom on the first floor. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. The home is accessible and offers a cloakroom on the first floor. The childminder can take children to, and collect them from, local schools and pre-schools. Toddler groups, parks and other amenities lie within walking distance.

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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 six children at any one time, and is currently minding five children in the early years age group and one school aged child.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is actively involved in the local childminders group and is a support childminder for Andover. The childminder has a relevant early years qualification at level 4.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy excellent experiences with this very caring and dedicated childminder due to her high aspirations to make learning fun. She embraces every child who attends and, as a result children demonstrate high levels of confidence and an excitement to learn. This means they enjoy worthwhile experiences of the Early Years Foundation Stage and make excellent progress. Self-evaluation reflects rigorous monitoring and analysis of what the childminder does well and plans to improve. The childminder recognises that partnership with parents is integral to every child's development.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to create frameworks for partnership working between all the settings the children attend.

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provision

The childminder is highly skilled, with a committed and professional approach to her role. She embraces training opportunities, attending varied courses on a very regular basis, and is currently working towards achieving an Early Years degree. Excellent communication systems have been developed with parents. The childminder is building on developing partnerships with other settings who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) with the children she minds. Parents This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 receive a handbook which covers all the childminder's childcare philosophies, business policies and expectations which is an excellent resource for parents. It provides useful and clearly documented information to facilitate a greater understanding between the parents and the childminder.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a commitment to reflective practice. The robust self-evaluation sets clear aims to improve outcomes for children. An excellent exchange of information takes place. The childminder seeks the views of parents and the children by carrying out written questionnaires. As a result, she identifies realistic targets for consideration to bring about sustained improvement to the childcare provision.

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provision

Excellent and robust risk assessments are in place and these are constantly reviewed and updated to ensure children's safety within the home and on outings. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder gives gentle reminders to young children not to stand on the sofa in case they fall. She teaches the children about safety both in out of the home, while allowing their developing independence. Robust arrangements are in place to ensure the children are safeguarded. The childminder has an excellent knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and is committed to taking any necessary action to protect children from harm.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children of all ages show their enjoyment at being with this childminder. They benefit from her attentive, caring nature and she genuinely cares about the children's welfare, learning and development. With her commitment and enthusiasm to promote learning through play children become absorbed in purposeful, exploratory play, making their own decisions about what they will do. The older children are taught to be considerate of the younger ones. They take turns to sit in the toy box and younger children play harmoniously with the older children as they build towers with bricks and thread cotton reels on to strings.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder promotes herself as an excellent role model, taking a positive and consistent approach. This helps children understand her expectations and, consequently, they behave extremely well. Children begin to learn appropriate skills for their later lives. They get on very well together, learning to share and take turns with consistent guidance from the childminder. They give her books to read to them and listen attentively as she reads 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt'. Children act out the story and narrate parts of the story with great enthusiasm.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of the EYFS. She ensures that all six areas of learning are promoted effectively daily, both indoors and out, through detailed, but flexible planning. This is evident with the current project. Children have been exploring where they live and have mapped out their journey to pre-school. This project came as a result of children acknowledging they pass each other's houses and the discussions that ensued. Regular observations of children's play provide the basis of assessment and contribute to planning, so that learning is progressive. An excellent balance is struck between adult-led activities This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and those that children choose for themselves, for example, choosing books for the childminder to read and asking to complete puzzles. The childminder interacts extremely well with children, questioning older ones effectively to enhance their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

learning, such as discussing why crocodiles lay eggs and why bears have different colour fur.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play in a very clean and secure home. They make full use of the play space, choosing what they wish to play with. The childminder supports their physical development through use of equipment in the garden and through regular exciting trips in and around the community. She teaches children to have regard for their safety, such as road safety on outings. She helps maintain their good health by keeping parents informed of when children must stay at home through illness. The childminder demonstrates an excellent knowledge of food safety and hygiene and has attended appropriate courses to ensure her practice is effective to protect and maintain children's good health. 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? 1 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? 1 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 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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