Childminder in SouthamptonOfsted inspection, 17 Feb 2009

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 131283 Inspection date 17/02/2009 Inspector Alison Large

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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 1992. She lives with her husband and two adult children in the Shirley area of Southampton. All areas of the ground floor are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The ground floor is easily accessible to adults and children. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding four children in the early years age group all day and five older children before and after school. The childminder is able to walk to the local schools to take and collect children. The family have no pets. The childminder attends various groups on a regular basis and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is a member of an approved childminding network.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder provides excellent care and learning for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children relish their time with the childminder as she provides an environment for children where they can be happy and secure and she has an excellent understanding of child development. Children are welcomed into a warm, friendly home where they are valued and included to ensure none are disadvantaged. The childminder is committed to continual improvement in the setting, this means children enjoy a valuable experience of the Early Years Foundation Stage and make excellent progress.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue to develop systems of observation, assessment and planning to fully support children's learning and development

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provision

The childminder provides superior childcare which is well organised and runs efficiently. The children are extremely secure and happy in the childminder's care because she has a professional approach to her childminding. The childminder is dedicated to promoting children's welfare and supporting their learning and development. She is highly committed and motivated and continually strives to improve her practice. Thorough self evaluation systems are in place, which fully identify and deal with areas for development. The childminder is extremely This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 proactive in updating her skills, which benefits the children she cares for. The childminder has an excellent partnership with parents, she shares a variety of information with them, including a prospectus, daily diaries and her policies and procedures. This ensures children's experiences with the childminder are enhanced

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provision

and parents are involved in their child's learning. Children are fully protected as arrangements to safeguard children are robust. The childminder has a thorough and secure understanding of child protection issues and procedures. The childminder has a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place to protect children, and she carries out thorough risk assessments throughout the home and for outings.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop warm and secure relationships with the childminder and her family. The childminder supports children well and takes care of their individual needs. Children are motivated to learn because the childminder provides a stimulating environment where they are encouraged to develop their independence. Children are making excellent progress as the childminder provides valuable support and interaction during activities. All children have access to an extensive range of resources, both inside and outside the home. The learning environment is bright and well organised, allowing children to play freely. Observations and assessments are made by the childminder to ensure children are consistently moving on to the next steps in their development and learning. This has been accurately identified by the childminder as an area she can further develop in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, although she

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

already has an extremely good knowledge of each child's learning needs. Children are independent and confidently choose to take part in activities with the childminder. For example, the child asks the childminder to set up a small world toy for her and the childminder starts fitting the pieces together. The child becomes involved, helping and adding some of the pieces, she then creates her own game with the people.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are extremely well behaved and learning to share with others. Children respond excitedly when the childminder praises their achievements and they develop warm and secure relationships with her. Children's safety is promoted very effectively, excellent systems are in place to ensure the home remains secure at all times, including an alarm fitted to the front door to alert the childminder when it is opened. Children understand the need to keep safe as they regularly practise the emergency evacuation procedure and talk about road safety. Children learn about keeping healthy as they talk about why fruit is good for them at snack time and why they need to wash their hands after using the toilet. They access the outdoors in all weathers to have regular fresh air and exercise and particularly enjoyed the recent snowfall.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children make excellent progress in every area of learning because the childminder is committed to providing the best quality care and education for all children. They take part in some planned activities and also have many opportunities to initiate their own play. The childminder has a sound knowledge of each child, and those who require additional support are well catered for and their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 progress is monitored effectively. Children's progress is recorded and the childminder is developing the assessment records for each child to ensure a clear record is kept of their progress. By sharing these records with parents, the childminder ensures that parents are fully involved in their child's learning, which enables this to be extended at home. The excellent relationships developed with parents and other carers ensure that all children succeed. Children's progress

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

records also include many photographs of the children engaged in activities, and provide an excellent record for parents. 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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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