Dunkerton, Deborah

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 EY316653 Inspection date 09/06/2009 Inspector Chris Mackinnon

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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 first registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and their three children in the Patcham area of Brighton and Hove. The house is easily accessible and the whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with a patio and garden available for outdoor activities. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of five minded children may attend at any-one time, with no more than three children in the early years age group. The childminder currently has seven children on roll, with five attending who are in the early years age group. The childminder makes regular outings to the nearby shops, play areas and places of interest.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the childcare provided is good. The childminder is an established carer and demonstrates a confident knowledge of individual children. Her home is safe and secure and is well organised to effectively meet children's learning and welfare needs. The childminder provides a well prepared learning environment, and children enjoy a range of well planned activities that effectively supports their learning progress. The childminder is aware of the need to be inclusive and works closely with parents to ensure all children develop and enjoy their time at her setting. The childminder is also able to review her childcare practice, and has a positive approach to improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop observation and assessment to plan children's next steps in learning

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provision

The childminder is a well-organised and established childcare provider. She takes a close interest in individual children, and ensures they are effectively supported in their play and learning. The childminder has a number of notable strengths within her play provision, particularly in the planning of a wide range of challenging and enjoyable learning activities. She also has a strength in the presentation of a spacious and well-resourced play and learning environment. The childminder has recently attended training in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and this has encouraged her to introduce a more formal appraisal of her play environment, and children's responses to the activities provided. The childminder continually assesses her play programme, and is able to widen children's experiences and find improved ways to work with individual children. She has successfully completed the Ofsted self-evaluation document, and also produced

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provision

her own development plan that identifies areas for development. The childminder's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 partnership with parents is well-organised and contributes effectively to her support for individual children. Parents benefit form regular daily contact, and are able to share information easily on their children's healthy growth and progress. Parents are also positively encouraged to contribute to their children's progress and development. Children are effectively safeguarded within the setting. The childminder has a good awareness of the need to keep children safe and secure, and takes care to ensure children feel welcome and able to enjoy her setting. She has also attended appropriate child protection training, and has well-organised safeguarding procedures.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a good range of well planned activities, to ensure children's learning and development is successfully supported. She takes care to ensure that all the children attending have activities that challenge and interest them. She also makes much good use of well-prepared play and learning environment, to encourage children's exploration and ability to develop their own play. Children particularly benefit from the planning of activities that are designed to meet the needs of their age and ability. For example, younger children have activities to support their physical development, tactile learning and confidence with speech. Older children's activities are effectively planned to encourage their use of tools and ability to be creative, with a range of materials. The Childminder also successfully engages children in activities that supports their progress through the learning goals. She shows much good confidence in her support for children's

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

communication, language and literacy, and provides many good opportunities for children to learn words, recognise letters and practice writing. The childminder also demonstrates confidence in her ability to extend children's learning. For example, she showed during small world play, how children can experience much personal and social learning. During physical games and role play, she also showed how children can widen their learning about numbers and counting. The childminder takes care to monitor children's progress and record their activities. She is able to assess the learning value of the activities provided, and uses photos to record children's involvement in learning. Regular written notes are made on individual children's achievements, and their progress through the early learning goals is considered. The systematic observation and assessment of children has been established by the childminder, but is not fully supporting the planning of children's

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's care and welfare is successfully supported and the childminder's home is tidy and well-organised. Children's safety is effectively managed, with a well- organised range of safety features in place. Regular risk assessments are also conducted on all the play areas used by the children. The childminder effectively monitors and promotes children's growth and healthy development. The younger children's daily care needs are recorded, and all children have healthy meals and snacks, that often includes trying new food tastes. The childminder has a full and wide variety of play and learning resources for children. She takes care to set out specific play items to support learning, and children also have much fun exploring and choosing play resources. For example, younger children gain much from a particularly well chosen interactive play item, that encourages their hand and eye This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

coordination and early computer skills. Children also make much good use of a good selection of outdoor play and learning resources, with many opportunities provided for balance based activities, ball games and learning about plants and nature. A well planned and organised range of play activities are also provided to support children's enjoying and achieving. Children's use of language and awareness of the wider world is well-promoted, with role play about travel and types of transport. Children are also successfully encouraged to be creative and use a range of tools and different materials, which ensures good skills for future learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's behaviour is confidently guided by the childminder and children effectively learn to share and take turns. Throughout the play activities, the childminder successfully encourages children to be aware of others and to play co- operatively. Children effectively learn about other cultures and engage in a range of festivals during the year. Children also have regular outings and organised trips, to support their awareness of where they live and the world around them. 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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