Childminder in East Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY385498 Inspection date 10/09/2009 Inspector Silvia Richardson

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 2009. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, of whom two may be in the early years age group. There are currently two children on roll, both being in the early years age group. Children are cared for on a part-time and sessional basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her partner and their two year old child and are expecting a new baby in December 2009. The family lives in a house in Dulwich within the London Borough of Southwark, close to shops, parks, library and public transport links. There is one step up to the front door to access to the property and plans are in place to make reasonable adjustments should wheelchair access be desired to the ground floor and garden. All areas of the property are available for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has two cats as house pets. The childminder is a qualified teacher and a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The needs of the children are met well, because the childminder creates a safe and secure environment and provides an excellent variety of play and learning experiences. Children are valued as individuals and thrive in the setting, because they are able to form positive relationships with the childminder and family members. Children are supported well throughout their routines and during activities, enabling them to make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder makes use self-evaluation to effectively assess aspects of her provision which are working well and less well, so that outcomes for children are good. The childminder has a high capacity for continuous improvement, because she makes good use of further training opportunities and sets clear priorities for the future, including arrangements for working in partnerships with pre-school groups.

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further?

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

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further?

 promote children's knowledge and understanding of healthy eating and the importance of making healthy choices  engage parents in arrangements for assessing children's progress across the six areas of learning and their progression towards the early learning goals This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder is driving improvement through effective self-evaluation, identifying her training needs and planning for developing links between pre- school, childminding and parents. The childminder effectively uses her teaching qualities, skills and experiences, so that children enjoy interesting, stimulating and challenging play, and learning opportunities. Childminding policies are working very well in practice, keeping children safe and promoting their health, welfare and well-being. Safeguarding procedures include written details of who to contact should child protection concerns arise, and emergency evacuation is working well, through the children enjoying practising fire drills, which is developing their confidence in staying safe. Risk assessment is thorough and includes much practical detail, minimising potential hazards. Children play and move around the premises safely, because it is spacious and well organised. Resources are easily

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the early years provision

accessible, enabling children to make choices and play safely and happily, both inside and outside in the garden.

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the early years provision

Children's learning and appreciation of racial and cultural differences is fostered well through a variety of activities including card games, in which children match faces and talk about similarities and differences. Children enjoy being involved in cooking activities, providing further opportunities for valuing language and cultural differences. Learning activities are tailored to children's individual needs and are based on their likes, interests and learning styles, helping them to develop well. Positive relationships with parents are enabling children to enjoy a real sense of belonging, and feel a part of a happy family setting. The childminder writes a daily diary and talks to parents frequently about children's progress, welfare and general disposition, keeping them well informed. The childminder has recently started linking her diary notes to the six areas of learning, although is not yet engaging

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the early years provision

parents in the assessment of children's progress or encouraging their contributions to children's learning journeys, so as to promote a partnership approach to outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and settled because they develop warm and trusting relationships with the childminder. They enjoy an excellent range and balance of activities across the six areas of learning, which includes visits to the park and community groups. Toys and play materials are attractively presented and activities are supported well by the childminder, so that children are able to explore, experiment and test out their extent of their capabilities. Productive and purposeful play is at the heart of children's enjoyment in learning, so that they acquire new skills and progress well. The childminder observes the children well, clearly records their achievements and plans effectively for the next steps in their learning, matching their progress to the early learning goals. Effective monitoring is ensuring there are few gaps in children's learning, however, because the childminder is not fully engaging parents in assessing children's learning processes,

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their developmental potential is not fully established.

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and outcomes for children

Children show they feel safe and secure in the setting through confident and independent learning. They feel able to readily approach the childminder for help, and enjoy cuddles during story sessions. Children are self-assured and feel able to test their own limits and boundaries, because they are confident the childminder steps in to support them when they need it. Consistent and familiar routines are helping children to feel emotionally secure, promoting their overall well-being. They are learning to adopt good personal hygiene habits, such as hand washing prior to handling food, and after using the potty. Children enjoy an excellent balance of nutritious meals and snacks helping them to be healthy. However, their learning about foods which are more and less beneficial to their health is limited, because the childminder does not always talk about these, so as to promote their understanding and to help them make healthy choices.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing social skills, such as sharing, taking turns and showing care towards each other, because the childminder takes every opportunity to foster and encourage appropriate ways of behaving and provides a good role model. Children are consistently praised, helping them to feel good about themselves. The childminder encourages children to respect each other and people in the wider community, and uses story times to help children embrace and value diversity. The principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage are at the centre of the childminding provision for children developing skills for the future. Warm relationships, caring, enabling environments and stimulating play and learning experiences, are contributing well to the overall effectiveness of the setting and to good outcomes for children. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

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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