Childminder in Brighton and Hove

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 EY382134 Inspection date 20/08/2009 Inspector Laura Brewer

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and two children, aged three and one years, in a fourth floor apartment in Peckham which can be accessed via a lift or the stairs. The property is accessible to local schools, parks and transport services. The whole of the property is available for minding purposes. Children are taken out on a daily basis for them to experience outdoor play opportunities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for two children under eight years old, of whom one may be in the early years age group. Currently the childminder cares for one child aged 14 months for three days per week. The childminder is first aid qualified and has completed pre-registration training.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care and have established close relationships. The setting is bright and welcoming and provides a secure environment for children to enjoy. The childminder is clear about areas of her provision she would like to develop and demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement. The childminder has established close working partnerships with parents to ensure she offers an inclusive service where she meets children's individual needs well.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the fire blanket located in the kitchen is fitted according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  continue to develop the assessment systems by ensuring they demonstrate children's progress against each of the 'development matters' criteria in order to identify any gaps in children's learning.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to promoting children's welfare and safety at all times both in and out of the setting. She has a clear knowledge of safeguarding procedures to ensure she is able to take appropriate action in the event of having concerns about children's welfare. The childminder has developed clear records and procedures to support her work, share information with parents and to ensure that children’s health and safety is consistently monitored and promoted.

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provision

The childminder effectively evaluates her provision and takes action where This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 necessary. She has clear aims for future development to enhance the service that is provided. For example, she has identified that she would like to extend her knowledge of the planning and assessment arrangements and has plans in place to attend training to assist her in developing these.

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provision

The childminder establishes effective partnerships with parents and ensures that she is well informed about each child’s individual requirements. She offers a gradual settling in process dependent on the child's individual needs to ensure they are comfortable and confident in their new environment. Communication between the childminder and parents is good to ensure parents are fully informed of their child's day and achievements. Daily discussions with parents ensures they receive useful information about their child's day, progress and individual care routines.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s learning and development are supported well by the childminder, who has established warm, caring relationships. She uses her observations of children's developmental stages to plan a wide range of interesting activities. Individual assessment records are maintained and include photographic evidence and samples of work. Although they are matched against the six areas of learning and are used to plan for children's next steps, they do not clearly identify how progress is assessed against each of the 'development matters' criteria in order to identify any gaps in children's learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The organisation of routines is flexible in order to incorporate children's individual needs and stages of development. Children benefit from visiting a range of interesting places, such as parks, toddler groups and read and rhyme sessions at the library where they have good opportunities to develop their social skills and mix with their peers. Babies are happy and show good levels of curiosity as they play with the bricks and explore the shapes in their hands. Children have good opportunities to develop a love for books as they have daily story sessions and they respond excitedly as they listen to the 'Dear Zoo' book where they can lift up the flaps to see what animal is inside. Children have good opportunities to experience the outdoors, they go out on a daily basis to a range of places where they can develop their physical skills and abilities and explore the natural environment.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's home is warm, welcoming and child-friendly. Resources are stored at low level in boxes and baskets which enable children to access them freely in order to initiate their own play and learning. There is a range of toys and equipment in place which reflect positive images of diversity to help children to develop positive attitudes. The childminder promotes children's safety and has devised detailed risk assessments, although the fire blanket in the kitchen has not been mounted appropriately to ensure it can be operated effectively in the event of an emergency. Children's good health is promoted. They are offered a range of healthy snacks and meals, which helps them to learn about nutrition, and the childminder encourages good hygiene practices to ensure the spread of infection is minimised. 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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