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 957266 Inspection date 12/01/2009 Inspector Teresa Elkington

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and seven years in Horsham, West Sussex. The ground floor of the childminder’s house, which is accessed via a front door step, 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. She currently has five children on roll, in the early years age range, who attend on a part time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The family has two cats. 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

Children are very settled and happy in this homely and inclusive environment. The childminder offers a very well equipped environment, which is thoughtfully organised to meet the developmental needs of children of different ages and interests. The childminder has fostered good partnerships with parents, which ensures a consistent approach to both the welfare and developmental needs of children. Systems for self-evaluation are currently being developed. However, she is very aware of her strengths and weaknesses and is committed to enhance her knowledge to improve the outcomes for children and to support her work in the delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop systems for observation, assessment and planning to enable children to move onto their next steps in their learning  ensure a complaints log is in place for the recording of any complaints made by parents and outcome

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provision

The childminder has a very clear understanding of her responsibility for safeguarding children and follows effective procedures to protect them from harm or abuse. The childminder maintains clear policies and procedures and undertakes regular risk assessments to support all aspects of the childminding service, which ensures that children’s welfare is promoted effectively. The childminder has effective procedures in place to support the management of children’s information, which ensures confidentiality. Most of the required documentation is in place. However, no record has been implemented to ensure that any complaint is clearly recorded. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has effective partnerships with parents, which ensures that she provides a consistent and high quality care and learning environment for children. Systems have been developed to encourage parents to be are equal partners in

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provision

their children’s learning. Documentation is shared and discussions take place in support of children’s individual learning and care routines, which ensures that parents are involved in all aspects of their children’s care and developmental progress. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the how children learn and is developing systems to track children’s progress through individual learning journeys. She undertakes regular observations of what children have achieved. However, she has yet to use this information to plan for children’s next steps in their learning to enable her to fully support children’s individual progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm, caring and purposeful play environment, where children feel secure and enjoy a wide variety of learning experiences. The learning environment is well presented, which allows children to independently access their play resources with confidence and ease. The childminder provides a balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities, which results in a wide variety of learning opportunities. Children enjoy excellent interactions from the childminder who is on hand to support and extend all areas of children's play and learning. She constantly talks with them and allows them to lead their play, which enables children to be independent and active learners. The childminder has a very clear understanding of children’s individual interests. For example, she asks the children if they would like to have the buggies and babies out to play with. At this suggestion both children become very excited and eagerly wait as the childminder

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

sets up the buggies. She then asks the children to find a baby to place in them so that they can take them for a walk, which they do with great enjoyment and delight.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a wide range of activities that contribute to their imaginative, physical, creative and language skills. They enjoy looking at books, both independently and during story times with the childminder. They enjoy playing with play dough and happily explore the different tools that are available, which allows children to develop their skills in the use of small tools as they make their desired shapes. The childminder provides many opportunities for children to learn about their own and other cultures through the use of resources and planned activities, which helps to promote a positive attitude to diversity from an early age. The good relationships that the childminder adopts with parents enables them to work together to deal with any unwanted behaviour and support young children's understanding of acceptable behaviour. As a result, children play harmoniously together and behave very well.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder promotes the welfare of all children through clear daily routines, ensuring that they have opportunities for rest periods alongside their daily play experiences. Children are well nourished as they are provided with meals and snacks that fully support individual dietary needs. Outings to local parks and to places of interest, provide children with plenty of opportunities to develop their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 physical skills, enjoy fresh air, and develop a sense of place as they explore and learn about where they live. 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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