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 EY218221 Inspection date 29/06/2009 Inspector Sue Taylor

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and their two children, aged 14 and 11 years, within easy walking distance of Bexhill town centre. There is a children's playground less than five minutes walk away and the sea-front and Egerton Park are also close. The areas of the property used for childminding are the lounge, kitchen/diner and toilet on the ground floor. Minded children do not normally have access to the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family have rabbits, a guinea pig and fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group. The childminder is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of an approved childminding network and is able to accept funding for early education for three and four-year-olds from September 2009. The childminder has a Childminding Practice qualification at level 3.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder develops a strong, caring relationship with children, ensuring their care needs are met well. She has processes in place that fully supports the very good progress individual children are making in their learning and development. She has a very positive attitude towards equality and inclusion which is beneficial for all children. The childminder provides a very welcoming and inclusive environment. The childminder is a reflective practitioner and evaluates her practices for ongoing improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to encourage parents to be more involved in supporting their child's learning and development by contributing to the assessment process

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provision

All of the required records and documentation are well maintained. The childminder has clear written policies and procedures that are readily available for parents, giving them a good awareness of her childminding practices. She ensures she keeps up to date with current guidance and attends workshops that help enhance her provision. For example, she has attended child protection training, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 which with a good understanding of her role and responsibilities means that children are safeguarded. A detailed risk assessment record shows how the childminder manages risks at the same time as enabling children to have independence. For example, they can decide if they want to play outside in the garden or indoors and they can easily access the toilet when they need to. There is an extensive range of good quality toys for play both indoors and outside. Most of

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provision

these are stored in the shed which restricts children having a true free choice, however the childminder has photographs of all available resources and children can use these to make their choices, alongside those that the childminder is using to support the day’s planned activities.

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provision

The assessment process for children’s learning and development is quite comprehensive, with children’s individual next steps clearly identified and planned for. The childminder monitors their progress to the early learning goals and devises interesting activities that support children’s needs. Care diaries are completed and are shared with the parents that want them. These contain information about a child’s day, showing how their care needs are met with some detail about their achievements. Parents are encouraged to use the books to share how the child has been when at home. As yet parents are not effectively contributing to the assessment process or fully involved in supporting their child’s identified next steps at home. Where a child attends another provision that delivers the Early Years Foundation Stage the childminder liaises with them to ensure continuity of learning and care for the child. The childminder has processes in place to self-evaluate her

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provision

own practices and show her commitment to continuous improvement. She uses her detailed knowledge of each child to fully support their individual needs and is extremely proactive in finding ways to promote their inclusion at her home and at school.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All of the required records and documentation are well maintained. The childminder has clear written policies and procedures that are readily available for parents, giving them a good awareness of her childminding practices. She ensures she keeps up to date with current guidance and attends workshops that help enhance her provision. For example, she has attended child protection training, which with a good understanding of her role and responsibilities means that children are safeguarded. A detailed risk assessment record shows how the childminder manages risk at the same time as enabling children to have independence. For example, they can decide if they want to play outside in the garden or indoors and they can easily access the toilet when they need to. There is an extensive range of good quality toys for play both indoors and outside. Most of these are stored in the shed which restricts children having a true free choice,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

however the childminder has photographs of all available resources and children can use these to make their choices, alongside those that the childminder is using to support the day’s planned activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The assessment process for children’s learning and development is quite comprehensive, with children’s individual next steps clearly identified and planned for. The childminder monitors their progress to the early learning goals and devises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 interesting activities that support children’s needs. Care diaries are completed and are shared with the parents that want them. These contain information about a child’s day, showing how their care needs are met with some detail about their achievements. Parents are encouraged to use the books to share how the child has been when at home. As yet parents are not effectively contributing to the assessment process or fully involved in supporting their child’s identified next steps at home. Where a child attends another provision that delivers the Early Years Foundation Stage the childminder liaises with them to ensure continuity of learning

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and care for the child. The childminder has processes in place to self-evaluate her own practices and show her commitment to continuous improvement. She uses her detailed knowledge of each child to fully support their individual needs and is extremely proactive in finding ways to promote their inclusion at her home and at school. 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? 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

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