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 510368 Inspection date 13/05/2009 Inspector Lisa Toole

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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 has been registered since 1998. She lives with her husband, one adult child, and two children aged 14 years and nine years. They live in a house in Uckfield, East Sussex. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding, along with one first floor bedroom and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. The childminder is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and is registered to provide overnight care for one child under eight years. The family have a cat.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder routinely meets the needs of all children she cares for. She takes time to get to know them and their families, finding out about their unique requirements. This enables her to acknowledge them as individuals, whilst taking account of their gender, ability and culture. As a result, children settle easily and enjoy their time with both the childminder and their peers. The childminder provides a range of resources and a variety of flexible activities to help them learn and develop at their own pace. She is committed to improving the quality of care and learning for all children and is taking positive steps to ensure she meets the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage to promote outcomes for children effectively.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the systems for identifying children's starting points and next steps in their learning and use this information to support their future development  increase the opportunities for younger children to develop their creativity.

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provision

The childminder safeguards all children well, keeping them under close supervision during their play, teaching them about keeping safe on outings and protecting them from unvetted adults at all times. Children benefit from the childminder’s sound understanding of child protection issues and current practices, ensuring their welfare is protected. The childminder demonstrates clearly how children are well cared for; she keeps all areas of her home safe, clean and child friendly, as well as using appropriate documentation as required. She assesses hazards to children regularly as part of her risk assessment procedures in and outdoors as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 well as on outings. She uses an effective system of self-evaluation towards improvement of her practice, including attending training for behaviour management and makaton signing to aid communication.

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provision

Children benefit from the childminder’s established two-way communication system, as she works closely with parents to support individual children’s care and learning needs. Clearly written policies and procedures work effectively in practice and regulatory records are appropriately maintained, stored securely for confidentiality and shared with parents. The childminder has established links with other early years providers where minded children attend to support their continuity of care. She creates and maintains lovely individual scrap books to share children’s progress with parents, using written and photographic observations and evidence of their achievements. The childminder discusses the children's starting points for learning with parents and plans children’s next steps of learning from her knowledge and experience. However, the scrap books are not being fully used to record and show these next steps or information gained at the start in a clear

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are secure, happy and have developed close, harmonious relationships with the childminder and their peers. The childminder's friendly interaction with open-ended questioning supports children’s language development and encourages them to build their individual confidence. The younger children's early attempts at communication are also positively valued, but they have fewer opportunities to participate in art and craft activities than the older minded children. This limits their opportunities to learn about texture and using their imagination through materials, such as paint and play dough. Children are enthusiastic learners who are making progress in their learning towards the early learning goals. They are developing an understanding of other cultures through their play, activities and by accessing a developing range of appropriate resources that promote positive images of the wider social world.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children benefit from a clean and hygienic environment. The childminder is a good role model and encourages them to learn simple hygiene routines through example and by gentle reminders. She is effective in reducing the spread of infection; following a clear sickness policy. Children benefit from the childminder’s clear knowledge and understanding of healthy eating, receiving a wide variety of nutritious meals and healthy snacks each day. They drink water freely when thirsty from individual cups or bottles. Children have many opportunities for physical play on a daily basis, for example, walking to and from pre-school and school, visiting the local play park or playing in the fully enclosed garden with a wide variety of play equipment.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to behave nicely and to use good manners, such as sitting at the table for meals. The childminder is helping young children to learn to share toys, resources and equipment by gentle reinforcement, demonstrating consistent behaviour management strategies. The childminder ensures children receive positive praise as they play and learn, which boosts their developing confidence This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and self-esteem. Children move around the childminder's home freely and safely, as all areas they access are child friendly. 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

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