Mrs C J Fish

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 EY136434 Inspection date 26/01/2009 Inspector Chris Mackinnon

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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 first registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and their two school age daughters in the Woodingdean area of Brighton and Hove. The childminder's house is easily accessible and children use the lounge and kitchen for play activities. An enclosed deck area and garden is available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of four minded children may attend at any one time. The childminder currently has four children on roll, with three in the early years age range. The childminder makes outings to the nearby shops and children's play areas.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder displays a clear and detailed knowledge of the individual children in her care, and is well organised to support children's welfare and learning. Her home is safe and secure, and children learn and have fun engaging in a wide range of games and activities. Children over a range of ages are cared for and included, and the childminder enjoys close and friendly links with parents and carers. Children's learning and development is successfully encouraged and the childminder makes good use of self-evaluation to evaluate her practice and maintain improvement. The childminder is trained and experienced and provides good quality childcare that benefits children and supports parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the observation and assessment of children's learning to support children's next steps and progress through the learning stages.

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provision

The childminder is an experienced and established childcarer, and effectively provides a well organised and well managed childminding provision. She has attended a wide range of training and supplementary courses to support her practice and has a clear strength in her knowledge of individual children's needs and her ability to support their development. The childminder regularly reviews her practice and demonstrates a confident awareness of the need for continuous improvement. She has produced a thorough and well written self-evaluation document that considers all aspects of her care and clearly identifies areas for future development. The childminder takes care to build useful and friendly contact with parents. Through regular discussion and sharing of information on children's progress, she is able to support children's development and encourage parents' involvement in their children's learning. A well produced parents' pack and clearly

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provision

kept children's records, contribute effectively to maintaining close links with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 parents and supporting inclusive practice. The childminder also has a strong awareness of the need to safeguard children and keep them from harm. She uses her training and organisational skills effectively to ensure all children are welcomed, and their health and well-being is successfully promoted and protected.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides children with a well organised and clearly planned range of activities that effectively encourages their learning and development. There is a particular strength in her practice with how planned learning themes are combined with specific learning tasks and activities, that support children's progress across all the early learning goals. She produces monthly plans, which identify a range of learning topics, and this links to weekly planning sheets that guide the organisation of the learning environment, and the learning expectations for the children. She also demonstrates a strong knowledge and understanding of the six learning goals. The childminder uses her experience and training successfully to ensure all ages of children are provided with activities to support their progress and exploring of the learning goals. She also effectively applies her awareness of the learning goals, to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

extend children's learning during play activities. All six learning areas are also included in children's progress records. The childminder is aware of the need to regularly observe and assess children's learning development. She has clearly organised folders for each child, which includes photos and written details of their enjoyment and responses to the activities. This provides a clear record of children's progress, but to support improvement, a recommendation is made to develop the planning of children's next steps within the observation and assessment records.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder successfully supports children's welfare and individual care needs. She has organised her home effectively to be safe for children's activities, and a range of safety precautions and written procedures ensure children play safely and are kept secure. The childminder also has well organised risk assessments that are regularly reviewed and updated. Children's healthy growth and development is well considered and the childminder takes care to know children's likes and dislikes, and encourage their independence with hygiene and their experience with food and healthy eating. Children enjoy a wide range of well planned play and learning activities. Small world play, role play, and children's interest in books and stories is well fostered. Children are successfully helped to achieve and make progress, and they also develop a wide range of skills to support their future and continued learning. The childminder gives close consideration to developing children's social

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

development, and children effectively learn to share and help others. Clear guidelines are also in place to support the management of children's behaviour. Children are effectively introduced to other cultures and diversity is well reflected within the learning environment. The childminder's care provision also offers good opportunities for outdoor play and learning, which contributes greatly to children's enjoyment, physical confidence and their understanding of the world around them. 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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