Mustard School

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 131438 Inspection date 17/03/2009 Inspector Heidi Abernethy

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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 was registered in 1982. She lives with her husband who acts as her assistant. The childminder also lives with her two adult children aged 21 and 19 years. They live in a house on the west side of the city of Southampton. The home is with walking distance to local shops and schools. Minding mostly takes place downstairs. Toilet facilities are available on the ground floor of the home. There are a set of steps leading up to the childminder's home. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have two cats 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. When working with an assistant five children may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently minding ten children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder runs a local crèche and drop-in centre which is open to childminders and other parents or carers. She is a member of the Southampton Childminding Association and the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder has a well developed knowledge about the children's own families, their home circumstances and individual routines to ensure their needs are well met. She has effective links with parents to ensure a shared knowledge of the children is achieved. Good self evaluation ensures priorities for future development are identified and addressed.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop assessment systems in order to match the observations of children to the expectations of the early learning goals and to fully identify learning priorities for each child  obtain required parental permissions for all children, such as permissions to take part in outings to ensure parents are well informed and children are safe.

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provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures ensuring children's welfare is safeguarded. She shares a child protection policy with parents to ensure they are fully aware of her professional responsibility. Safety measures are in place around the home such as stair gates and safety catches. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder has devised forms for required parental permissions but has not ensured all parents have signed these permissions. This does not ensure parents are fully informed and children are safe.

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provision

The childminder works with her husband who acts as her assistant. They work well together to ensure the needs of all the children are well met. For example, they deploy themselves well within the play areas to ensure all children receive the support and guidance they need. The childminder works effectively with parents and obtains information at the outset about the children's starting points, preferences and routines. The childminder communicates with parents verbally each day finding out how they have been at home. Parents appear happy and state in written comments that 'we have a little book that the childminder updates everyday with what our child has been up to, had to eat, the activities she has been involved in, how she has been… Our child gets to socialise with children her own age both at the childminder's and at a children's activity centre where the childminder organises other play groups for children of different age groups'.

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provision

The childminder provides parents with questionnaires a couple of times a year to enable them to give feedback on the childminding service. She acts upon any suggestions such as altering the weekly menu. This feeds into the continuous improvement of her provision. She updates her knowledge through regular training and receives childcare magazines regularly to ensure she is abreast with the latest guidance and legislation.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children of all ages are content within the provision. They arrive at the setting happily and separate from their main carers well. The childminder and her assistant recognise when children are hungry or due a sleep. Children are able to sleep where they feel most comfortable and are visually checked by the childminder on a regular basis to ensure they are safe. The childminder and her assistant both interact at the children's level throughout the morning. Praise and encouragement is given for children's achievements which in turn boosts children's self esteem and confidence.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has implemented observation and assessment systems for the children in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She conducts observations of the children and records these within the records. However, the childminder has not currently linked the observations to the ages and stages of the early learning goals and has not fully utilised the information she has recorded to fully identify next steps in learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop problem solving skills as they play with puzzles and work out where the different pieces fit together. They feel valued for who they are and their communications because the childminder and her assistant both listen to and respond to what they say. All the children are valued highly as individuals within the provision and are treated with equal respect. The childminder and her assistant serve as excellent role models to the children as they show respect for each other and the children. Children are very caring towards their friends. They give their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 friends a cuddle and a kiss when they become upset. Children become very excited when the doorbell goes and hurry to the front door to greet their friends. They all sit together at the same level during mealtimes. This ensures they are feel involved and obtain a strong sense of belonging.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder talks to the children about road safety and enables them to decide when it is safe to cross under her close supervision. This enables children to develop the tools to manage their own safety independently. Children have lots of opportunities to develop decision making skills such as choosing what fruit they would like for snack. The childminder and her assistant both encourage children to share and take turns and help children to resolve issues when disputes arise over a toy.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy squeezing and rolling play dough with their whole hands. The childminder and her assistant run a crèche during the week which enables the minded children to socialise with their peers and make friends. They have a variety of activities to explore such as arts and crafts and role-play. They participate with music and movement at the crèche and enjoy visits from 'Maraca Jacks' who bring a variety of music and instruments for the children to explore. 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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