Childminder in East Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 505560 Inspection date 23/09/2009 Inspector Alison Weaver

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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 has been registered since 1995. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant. She lives with her husband and one teenage daughter. They live in a house in Uckfield near to schools, shops and parks. The whole of the ground floor of the property and an upstairs bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder has one dog, a rabbit and a guinea pig. There are fish in a pond.

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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 two 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 Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

In general, children’s individual welfare needs are met and they are making satisfactory progress in their learning and development. Satisfactory links are formed with parents to keep them informed about their child’s day although less information is available to them about their achievements in learning. The childminder has a few plans to develop her knowledge and practices and these are likely to bring about some improvement to the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop an effective observation and assessment system to show how each child is progressing in all areas of learning in order to identify learning priorities and plan activities that will help them make further progress  continue to develop the risk assessments to ensure that anything that a child comes into contact is included  obtain full information about a child's home background with particular regard to language, culture and religion in order to be able to fully meet a child's individual needs  develop effective links with parents and other providers by sharing relevant information with each other to ensure continuity of care and education for individual children. 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 has a satisfactory knowledge of the possible signs of abuse and how to protect children in her care. She is booked on training to update and improve her understanding of safeguarding procedures. The childminder keeps her home safe and secure for children. The toys and resources used are suitable for the age of children present. Satisfactory safety precautions are taken to minimise any potential hazards but the written risk assessment is very basic and does not reflect all of her actual practices. All other required documentation is in place and appropriately maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the importance of working closely with parents to ensure children’s individual needs are met. She obtains most of the relevant information about a child before they start with her so she can help them settle. However, she has no rigorous system for finding out about a child’s religion, culture and language in order for her to make sure children are fully included and any barriers to their learning are removed. The childminder has a range of written policies that she shares with parents but there are several versions of some policies which makes the information rather confusing and unclear as to what her own practices actually are. There is also no complaints procedure in place. The childminder is in the process of building partnerships with other providers who share the education and care of the children so that together they can help support each child and help them make progress.

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the early years provision

The childminder has made a basic start to monitoring and evaluating her provision. She has identified some of her weaknesses and is aware of the need to address these. However, she does not have a robust system for ongoing self-evaluation in order to continue to develop her provision for children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder creates a caring, family atmosphere so children feel secure and confident. They enjoy their time with the childminder and she builds good relationships with them. They develop their independence but also seek her support when they need it. The childminder regularly takes them to toddler groups where they have the opportunity to develop their social skills and take part in a wider variety of activities. The childminder has appropriate strategies for managing children’s behaviour and they benefit from her praise and encouragement.

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and outcomes for children

Children show that their language skills are developing as they share their experiences with the childminder. She encourages them to talk about what they are doing as they play. They have fun playing with different construction sets and vehicles. Children become absorbed in their play and concentrate well as they make different trucks using the dough activity. They learn to problem solve as they try to pick up the tub of pens with the crane. They confidently count the toys as they go in the tunnel. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder shows that she has a satisfactory awareness of children’s stage of development and the need to help them make further progress. However, she has not fully established an effective observation and assessment system to enable her to confidently plan and provide activities that will help each child make progress in

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and outcomes for children

every area of learning and to see how well they are working towards the early learning goals. This limits the childminder’s ability to help ensure every child is being suitably challenged and to involve parents in the learning process.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes children’s awareness of safety when they go out as she teaches them how to cross roads safely and about stranger danger. Children develop a healthy lifestyle as they play outside and go on outings to local parks. They enjoy going on walks in the woods to see what they can find. They visit the shops where they help to count the items and find out about the different foods. Children are encouraged to eat healthily and have easy access to drinks when they get thirsty. Personal hygiene is satisfactorily promoted through the everyday routines. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 produce a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints and make it available to parents (Procedures for dealing with complaints - also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 30/09/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register section of the report (Procedures for dealing with complaints). 30/09/2009

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