Moorgate

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 131369 Inspection date 09/02/2009 Inspector Clare Moore

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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 1998. She lives with her partner and three secondary school age children in Bevois Town, Southampton close to shops, schools and parks. The whole of the childminders home is available for childminding with the exception of the master bedroom.

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Description of the childminding

She 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. She is currently minding six children in this age group and also cares for children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered on the Early Years and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Registers. She collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are happy and settled because the childminder knows individual children very well and is sensitive in responding to all their needs. They are safe and secure as the childminder supervises them carefully and helps them to find out about keeping themselves safe. She is calm, encouraging and reassuring, and children look to her for comfort and guidance. She is strongly motivated to continue developing her knowledge and skills to bring about continuous improvement to the service she provides.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out self-assessment to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the provision and continue to work towards improvement  develop ideas to encourage parents to become more involved in their children's learning and development

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provision

The childminder has taken significant steps to bring about improvement. This includes attending training, developing individual folders for the children, improving documentation and also some aspects of hygiene. She has informally started to consider self-evaluation and is identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the provision. She works together with parents, sharing information about the children, seeks their views and also liaises with other settings that children attend to support them in their learning and development. At the present time parents are not yet contributing to children’s records or routinely given ideas to help their children make progress through the areas of learning. The childminder is aware of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the importance of safeguarding children and has information to consult in the event of needing to make a referral.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about keeping safe as the childminder gently explains to them that they could harm someone else if they throw toys, or fall and hurt themselves if they climb on the furniture. Children are healthy as they are encouraged to eat mainly healthy foods and have an awareness of the benefits of eating fresh fruit and vegetables. They are protected from cross-infection as they find out about managing their personal hygiene with appropriate support from the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy their activities and have fun as they make progress in their learning and development. For example they invent a game as they greet each other behind the mirror, they dance, shake dangly rings in rhythm to the music and explore shape, colour and number using shape sorters. They are supported well by the childminder who encourages them warmly, making suggestions as they go and asking them what they think about their creations, for example a construction made from interlocking plastic bricks. This encourages children to develop critical thinking and creativity. Children develop language skills as she chats to them, shares books and stories and encourages them in their imaginative play. Older children enjoy baking, exploring change as they weigh and measure ingredients and then see the results.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage enables her to develop individual ‘Learning Stories’ for the children which helps her to track progress and plan the next steps of learning. She links together with parents to help children and encourage them to develop good sleep patterns and behaviour management strategies. Children are kind and show concern for each other. For example older children help to piece together the train track and free trapped cars. All children help to tidy up and respond well to suggestions from the childminder to help them negotiate and take turns. They find out about those who are less able to see or hear through discussion with the childminder and explore other languages which helps them to value diversity and difference.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are able to make choices and help themselves to toys and equipment, for example exploring boxes to find small objects and choosing books which they share together turning pages, vocalizing and pointing to the pictures. This encourages them to be independent and to develop their own interests. 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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