Childminder in Hampshire

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 EY230763 Inspection date 26/02/2009 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 1996. He lives with his wife and two children aged 14 and 16. They live in a house in Rowner, Gosport, close to shops, parks and schools. All areas of the property are used for childminding although minding takes place downstairs. Toileting facilities are downstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder works with his wife who is also a registered childminder. Both childminders have equal responsibility for the childminding practice.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide 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. He is currently minding five children in this age group. He also offers care to children over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. When working with his co-childminder he is registered to care for eight children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than six may be in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends local toddler groups and is an member of the National Childminding Association. He is also an accredited member of an accredited childminding network.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding about each child's individual backgrounds and families which ensures their needs are well met. Partnerships with parents is effective ensuring a shared understanding of children's individual needs is obtained. The childminder and his co-childminder are regularly monitoring the provision to identify strengths and areas of development. Children's safety is of paramount importance and is extremely well safeguarded with robust documentation and procedures.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to establish systems to obtain a regular two-way flow of information between other early years providers and further incorporate parents comments into children’s individual records to ensure they are able to contribute to and be fully involved with their child’s learning on a regular basis  provide children with further opportunities to make marks and use writing skills in a range of situations and for a range of purposes in order to support and extend their learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has a very secure knowledge about child protection procedures. A very detailed child protection policy is in place to ensure parents are very well informed about the childminder's professional responsibility to safeguard the welfare of the children. The childminder's co-childminder has the main responsibility for implementing policies and procedures. He ensures he is involved with the content of what is included within the policies giving him a very good understanding of how to put the policies into place. The childminder's work together to ensure all relevant documentation is in place and record onto a monthly checklist that smoke alarms and first aid kits have been checked and all toys and resources cleaned.

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provision

The childminder's co-childminder has main responsibility for recording information into their systems of self-evaluation. However, the childminder is involved with this process, communicating with the co-childminder about what they do well and identify areas of development. He has successfully addressed the past recommendation from his previous inspection which forms as part of the continuous improvement of his setting. The childminder has attended many training courses and is keen to attend further childcare training. This benefits the children because they are cared for by a qualified and experienced childminder. The childminder and his co-childminder have designed parental questionnaires and give these to parents approximately every term. They acknowledge suggestions and ideas from parents and feed this into the continuous improvement of their provision.

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provision

Parents are happy with the provision, they state in the questionnaires that 'my child is very settled and enjoys going in every day which gives us as parents peace of mind'. The childminder, alongside his co-childminder gives parents verbal feedback each day about their child's basic care routines. The verbal communications are supported with written feedback in daily diaries which serve as a two-way communication between the parent and the childminders. The childminder and his co-childminder have started to develop links with other early years providers. However, these systems are not fully established to ensure they gain information about the children's individual progress and learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy within the environment and separate from their main carer well. Young babies become excited when they see the childminder and children enjoy role-playing a sandwich shop with the childminder. The childminder has developed good relationships with the children and finds out about their starting points and capabilities at the outset. This enables him to have a good understanding of the children and their interests. He observes the children alongside his co-childminder, who has the main responsibility for updating children's records. They work closely together discussing each child's development and next steps. Parents are shown these records regularly but do not currently have opportunities to contribute to these records and be fully involved with their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 child's learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop problem solving skills as they work out where pieces of puzzle go into the puzzle boards. The childminder extends children's learning by asking open questions about the numbers of objects and colours they see in books. Positive praise and encouragement is given for their achievements which in turn fosters their self-esteem and confidence. Children are kind to each other and have lots of opportunities to make friends with their peers at the local toddler group.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder and his co-childminder serve as excellent role models showing each other equal respect. Children learn to share and take turns and the childminder gently reminds children of the behaviour rules. He gives reasons why behavioural rules are in place to equip children with a very good understanding about how to manage their own behaviour in the future. The childminder talks to the children at their age and stage of understanding about stranger danger and road safety. He introduces the basic concept of crossing roads with young children, encouraging them to look both ways and listen. This provides children with a very good knowledge about how to manage their own safety.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are able to independently access toys and resources from shelving and storage. However, children are unable to independently access writing utensils and resources to play with alongside their everyday, imaginary play. Children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills through walks to and from school and outings to the woods and local parks. The childminder is good at developing different games and activities for the children to enjoy. Children foster an awareness of diversity in society and the wider world. They have many outings in the community, celebrate festivals, look at a variety of books and dress up in a range of costumes. 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? 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? 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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