Childminder in East 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 EY316412 Inspection date 30/04/2009 Inspector Alison Weaver

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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 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 has been registered since 2005. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant. She lives with her husband and two children aged one year and five years. They live in a house in Eastbourne near to shops, schools, parks and a railway station. The whole of the ground floor, two bedrooms and a bathroom are used for childminding. Part of the fully enclosed garden is available for outside play. The childminder has one dog who stays outdoors in a separate area away from the children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children make good progress in their learning and development as the activities the childminder plans and provides for them challenge and stimulate them appropriately as individuals. Their welfare needs are met well and their understanding of personal safety and healthy living is promoted very effectively. The childminder works closely with parents and agencies to ensure that children with additional needs receive a good level of care and support. The childminder is keen and committed to improving outcomes for children by developing her skills and knowledge.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the observation and assessment process to ensure that children's achievements, interests and learning styles can be identified and used to plan further learning experiences for each child  update the information given to parents with regard to the complaints procedure  continue to develop opportunities for parents to contribute to the observation and assessment process.

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provision

Children’s safety and well-being is promoted effectively. Good hygiene procedures are implemented to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder keeps up to date with her knowledge of how to safeguard children and is fully aware of her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 responsibility to report any concerns she has about a child. The home is kept safe and secure for children by carrying out risk assessments and safety checks to ensure that all potential hazards are minimised. Ongoing reviews ensure that as incidents occur she adapts her practices to prevent children coming to harm. For example, she produced children's t-shirts for outings with her contact details on instead of the easily removed wrist bands. She seeks advice when considering safety in the home for children with additional needs.

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provision

The childminder takes part in ‘National Safety Week’ where she teaches the children about safety in the home and what to do if there is a fire. She regularly carries out fire drills with the children and takes them on visits to a fire station. The childminder also promotes in children an awareness of personal safety as they learn about the role of the police.

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provision

The childminder maintains all the required documentation. Parents receive helpful information in the welcome pack including menus and daily routines. She gives them information about the Early Years Foundation Stage and the activities she does to help children develop. She shares her written policies with parents so they have a good overview of her practices and procedures. The complaints procedure has some details that are out of date. Parents are encouraged to read the observations recorded on the ‘hands’ display to see what their child has achieved. A daily contact book is also used to share information about the child.

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provision

The childminder evaluates her planned activities to ensure that she is helping children develop. She is undertaking a childcare qualification and also attends other courses to keep up to date with current practices and to gain fresh ideas. She shows a good awareness of her strengths and weaknesses and takes steps to continually improve and develop what she offers children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder creates an environment that is visually stimulating and interesting for children. Good use is made of labelling all around the house. In the playroom there is a very good range of easily accessible storage for children to choose toys from. The toy boxes are clearly labelled to aid children’s development of word recognition. A variety of educational posters are displayed at child’s height to aid their learning. This includes the kitchen area where children count the numbers and talk about the healthy eating poster.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s sense of belonging is promoted well with named pegs and displays of their pictures. Their independence is very effectively promoted as they cut up their fruit and help clear the table. The childminder promotes children’s health by encouraging them to brush their teeth after eating. Children’s self esteem is developing extremely well. They benefit from the continual praise and encouragement from the childminder. The children are pleased when the childminder records their achievements on their ‘I Can’ charts on the kitchen door. They behave well and learn to help and praise each other as they play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have fun outdoors playing with the equipment. They enjoy fresh air and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 exercise in the safe and secure outdoor area. They thoroughly enjoy chalking on the ground, creating different pictures and ‘writing’. Children count as they jump along the circles. They grow a variety of flowers and vegetables, many of which they use for their healthy home cooked meals. They explore nature and the wider world as they go on walks and outings to places such as Drusillas and Bedgebury Pinetum. They learn to keep themselves safe indoors and when they go on outings.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children like to copy the childminder so language is effectively reinforced with them. They take part in a number of cooking activities where they learn about numbers and measurement. They find objects in the home that are bigger and smaller. They enjoy a wide variety of art and craft activities. Children like to do puzzles and persevere when doing them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is in the process of establishing individual assessment records for each child. She gets to know each child well and makes observations on them as they play. She assesses children’s progress and stage of development effectively so that she can plan activities that will help them make further progress towards the early learning goals. Her planned focus activities are adapted to meet the individual needs of each child so that all are included. Opportunities for parents to contribute to the assessment process are not fully developed. 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

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