Home Childcarer in HampshireOfsted inspection, 9 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 EY299594 Inspection date 09/02/2009 Inspector Carol Patricia Willett

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children, one of whom is primary school age and the other is preschool age. They live in a quiet cul-de-sac in Yateley, Hampshire. The childminder has a stepson who occasionally visits. The house is situated within walking distance of local shops, schools, pre-schools and parks and there is easy access from the road. The whole of the ground floor of childminder's house is used for playing. Children go upstairs to use the bathroom and for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare register. There are currently five children on roll on a part time basis. Of these children, four are in the early years age group with two of them in full-time education. The childminder is registered to provide overnight care for one child under eight years. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. She holds a current first aid certificate. The childminder attends the local toddler and childminding group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are confident and happy and the resources and activities provided by the childminder helping them make good progress in their learning and development. She seeks information from parents so that she is able to support children's individual needs and to promote inclusive practice. Children's health and welfare is safeguarded whilst they are in the childminder's care as she provides a safe and welcoming environment and has generally good routines and documentation in place. The childminder is keen to continually improve her provision and she recognises the importance of self evaluation and is beginning to reflect on her practice. She has started to identify areas for development, such as the observational assessment of children's learning, and attends additional training to improve her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

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further?

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

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further?

 improve hygiene procedures to ensure children consistently wash their hands before eating and develop their understanding of healthy practices  further improve assessment procedures; evaluate observations and identify links to the EYFS learning and development requirements and areas of learning in children's learning journal records in order to focus observations and plan effectively for children’s next steps in learning and development This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children make good progress in their learning and development as the childminder organises her provision well. They enjoy a wide variety of planned and independently chosen activities and regular outings. Children have easy and safe access to a wide range of good quality age appropriate toys from low storage units in the play area to initiate their own play. They participate in planned activities, such as scooping pasta with small world diggers based on the childminder's knowledge of the children's current interests. The childminder takes into account children’s stages of development and their individual care needs, such as their sleep routines. She is beginning to observe children through written notes, photographs and samples of their work. The childminder involves parents in their child's continuous learning and development through daily discussion, written daily diaries and sharing observations records.

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provision

The childminder is enthusiastic about her child care and has attended a wide variety of workshops to safeguard children's welfare and improve her practices. She has completed training in health and safety, using treasure baskets and the EYFS in order to meet the current requirements. She completes all recommendations for improvement from previous inspections. She has started to informally assess and evaluate her own practice, recognising the need to improve her recording in children's learning journals. The childminder risk assesses her premises and activities and reduces hazards effectively, which supports the children’s safety. She attends training for safeguarding children and is aware of the procedure to follow should she have any concerns. Her written procedures are shared with parents to further promote the children's protection. The childminder develops good partnerships with parents as she discusses and completes contracts

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provision

to agree the children’s individual care needs, obtains required written consents and shares her written procedures.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settle well as they develop close relationships with the childminder and enjoy playing alongside her young son. The children show care for each other enjoying cuddles and hugs. Children play safely in premises that are child-friendly, comfortable and welcoming, with a wide range of age appropriate and stimulating toys covering all areas for learning and development. They show excitement as the childminder introduces new ideas, such as the pasta and digger activity which they enthusiastically participate in with much laughter. The childminder quickly adapts the activity to take account of the needs of all the children, such as making separate provision for the baby to enable the older children to play purposefully with the pasta. The childminder plans activities that cover all areas of learning and children make good progress towards the early learning goals. She takes photographs of the children at play and puts them into a

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

learning journal of the children's achievements. However, the childminder does not effectively evaluate her observations of children completing activities or include links to the early learning goals in order to accurately assess children's learning and plan for their next steps. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children play in extremely well maintained clean premises as the childminder has highly effective cleaning routines in place which ensures the children's health is promoted and reduces the risk of cross infection. She has personalised individual hand towels for each of the children hanging in the bathroom and she ensures children wash their hands after using the toilet. However, she does not consistently ensure they develop good habits of washing their hands before they eat. Children's nutritional needs are met well as they eat fruit for snacks and have lunches of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

savoury sandwiches, raw vegetables, cheese and fruit. Children enjoy putting the magnetic fruit and vegetable stickers on the chart to show they have eaten five a day. The childminder takes the children out every day to collect older children from school, visit toddler groups and enjoy outings to parks and soft play areas which provide them with good opportunities for exercise and fresh air. Children generally behave well and the childminder provides activities that require them to share and take turns, such as completing the refrigerator game and sharing the ride on digger. She frequently praises the children as they play and effectively uses distraction and explanation. This helps children learn how to behave appropriately. 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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