Childminder in West 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 EY298265 Inspection date 29/04/2009 Inspector Helen Penticost

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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 Horsham, West Sussex. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and three of these may be in the early years age group. She currently has 11 children on roll, in the early years age range, who attend on a part time basis. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She walks or drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group and local childminding group. The family has two guinea pigs and tropical fish. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support from the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is outstanding. She offers children a thoroughly welcoming, inclusive and stimulating environment that is richly resourced. Children are happy and secure at the setting and make excellent progress in their learning and development. The childminder's knowledge of children's ability and progression is a particular strength of the setting, which means the learning and development programme is tailored to meet their individual needs. The highly effective partnership with parents contributes to the continuity of the children's care. The childminder has an insightful understanding of her strengths and areas for future 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 use systematic observations and assessments of children’s achievements, interests and learning styles in all areas of learning to plan challenging, relevant and motivating play experiences for each child indoors and out, across all areas of learning and development

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provision

The childminder has a comprehensive set of policies and procedures that underpin her outstanding practice. Parents are provided with copies of these so there are clear agreements in place about children's care and education and the service provided by the childminder. She attends training and as part of her self-evaluation she identifies future training needs such as attending a food hygiene course. All required documentation is in place to support children's welfare conscientiously. She has an excellent understanding of the importance of maintaining a hygienic This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and safe environment and conducts regular risk assessments of the home, garden and outings to ensure children's safety. Children learn about keeping themselves safe as they wear high-visibility jackets on outings and learn road safety skills. The childminder's home is clean and there are excellent procedures in place to prevent

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provision

The childminder effectively works in partnership with parents and is proactive in seeking their views about the service she provides. Parents are asked to complete a questionnaire about the care and education their child receives. Comments from parents include, the childminder 'is approachable and has gone to great effort to ensure good communication, she is very sensitive to their individual needs and discusses any area where she has concerns' and 'she suggests potential solutions when issues do arise and also offers her insight when possible'. Older children also play a part in this process as they draw the reasons they enjoy attending the provision. They draw pictures of Lego, lots of children and pancakes. Links with other settings children attend have been developed showing that she is committed to improving the outcomes for children. Parents are encouraged to get involved in their child's learning through looking at and contributing to the assessment files.

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provision

Parents also express their views frequently through letter and discussion, relaying their delight at the care and education their children receive.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy exceptionally warm relationships with the childminder and the interaction is of high quality and is consistent. They are respectful to the boundaries in place and they learn acceptable behaviour. This is helped by the excellent communication the childminder has with the children. They receive meaningful praise, which promotes their confidence and self-esteem. They are very well supported by the childminder, who acts as an excellent role model and manages any small issues through clear, calm and consistent messages and encouraging children to take some responsibility for their actions.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder asks children questions that encourages them to think about what they are doing, and when appropriate, she makes suggestions which helps them to formulate ideas. Children freely access a wide range of books and they thoroughly enjoy participating as they lift the flaps within the story book. They walk to school and enjoy playing in the garden with a wide range of resources that promote their physical development. Regular outings include going to the park for walks and to the library. Whilst out walking children learn about road safety and the local environment. Children's welfare is of paramount importance to the childminder who ensures all areas of the provision are safe and secure. They take an active role in learning about the importance of healthy lifestyles. Children explore healthy eating habits and they manage their own personal hygiene very well. They follow a time line of photographs when washing their hands and they each have a teeth

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

cleaning chart which they fill in daily.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children well and her planning is organised effectively to allow for individual preferences and needs. The childminder makes observations that identify children's progress, which helps her plan for their next steps. She is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 establishing a very effective system to monitor and promote children's progress as she carries out observations of children at play and includes photographs to illustrate clearly what they have achieved. This information is used to plan their next steps and goals are regularly reviewed to ensure each child is developing to their full potential in all areas. The childminder is fully aware of the need to continue the development of these effective observation, assessment and planning systems to ensure the continuation of the high quality outcomes for children. 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

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