Montrose

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 131296 Inspection date 17/04/2009 Inspector Judith Reed

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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 1982. She lives with her partner in the St Denys area of Southampton. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and this is accessible to all children. There is a rear garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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 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.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder is enthusiastic about caring for children. She is involved with the children and plans interesting activities which are suitable for all the children present. The childminder strives for ongoing development and improvement through training and keeping up to date with her knowledge of all childminding issues.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensuring medical permission is regularly updated with relevant information

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provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has updated her child protection training and keeps all relevant documentation to hand. Careful, detailed, risk assessments are carried out and the childminder ensures her home is secure when children are present. Children benefit from a healthy diet and the childminder takes into account their individual dietary needs. Children learn about healthy foods and enjoy plenty of fruit and vegetables. The childminder provides a nutritious, hot, meal at lunch time every day. Excellent hygiene routines are in place and children learn about the importance of washing their hands. They are gently reminded about washing their hands after using the toilet when necessary.

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provision

The childminder has a close relationship with the parents and they are supportive of her role. She shares all necessary documentation and the parents appreciate her efforts. The childminder ensures parents are fully aware of children's individual learning journey records. Parents give the childminder positive written feedback and say they feel at home. A parents' folder is shared with new families and the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder talks through her policies and procedures.

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provision

The continuous improvement and development of the childminding provision is a priority. The childminder keeps up to date through ongoing training and reading relevant documentation. She takes on board changes and works hard to include these into her setting. The childminder ensures children are continuing to develop and learn.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides an excellent environment where children develop skills in all areas of learning. Children are encouraged to express their own ideas and help themselves to toys and equipment from storage boxes and containers. Posters are displayed around the playroom showing letters, numbers and shapes. The childminder is very aware of children's ongoing learning and ensures children make particularly good progress in language development, recognise letters and use jolly phonics. She treats each child is an individual and they work at their own rate. Children are very enthusiastic and ensure their work is put into folders to be shown to their parents. Children are happy and engaged in their activities. They help themselves to toys and ask the childminder to pass certain toys to them. Children are polite and thoughtful towards each other. The childminder plays with the children and follows their lead in activities. For example one child brings a book to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

her and the childminder reads it with them, encouraging the children to spot characters in the pictures. Children enjoy a short period of more formal learning together. Children know the routine of the setting. They sit together and read numbers from flash cards and also name shapes such as triangle, square and rectangle. Children go through the colours they can see on their clothes and on each other including pink, blue, brown and mauve. They all join in singing actions songs. The childminder includes the baby and holds them on her lap, encouraging their hand movements. They sing a number of songs including 'Twinkle, twinkle little star', 'Row, row, row your boat' and children ask to sing 'Five fat sausages', carefully counting their fingers as they join in.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Inclusive practice is a priority for the childminder who ensures that all children can join in all activities. For example, the childminder offers children the opportunity to make edible necklaces. She provides some red liquorice laces and some whole- grain, cereal hoops. All children take part as the food is suitable for those with allergies and even the youngest child manages to thread the cereal onto the laces successfully.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder keeps detailed records of children's learning. She completes their learning stories with regular observations and descriptions of their ongoing development. These records are shared with parents and the children's next steps for learning are discussed. Many photographs are included in children's individual records to allow parents to share their activities. 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? 2 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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