Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY291468 Inspection date 10/09/2009 Inspector Catherine Hill

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2004. She lives with her two children, aged nine and six years, in Church Crookham, Fleet, Hampshire. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Local parks, shops and schools are within walking distance. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five 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 caring for three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family has a dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder effectively organises her practice to provide children with a warm, welcoming and child friendly environment for their care, learning and play. Children flourish within her care and are making excellent progress in their learning. They are sensitively supported by the childminder who intuitively knows when to extend learning and when to step back and allow children independence in their play. Inclusive practice is positively promoted, with the childminder working in partnership with parents and others involved in children's care. The childminder is enthusiastic about her provision and has a good capacity for continuous improvement. She regularly attends training to further her knowledge and skills and since her last inspection, for example, she has very successfully completed the Diploma in Home Based Childcare.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 enhance partnerships with parents by working together to formally identify children's developmental starting points

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder's policies and procedures ensure children play safely and happily. She maintains a good range of documentation in support of her practice, including records of risk assessments for both the home and regular outings. Children are closely supervised and their welfare is safeguarded by the childminder who understands her responsibilities with regard to child protection. Age appropriate furniture, toys and equipment are clean and in good order and children develop in independence as they freely move around selecting toys of their choice to play with. The childminder has a range of educational posters displayed, such as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 posters on colours and manners, which provide a stimulating surround for children. Photographs of minded children are also displayed which helps develop their sense of belonging and ownership of their environment. The childminder has a sound

p.4

the early years provision

understanding of individual children's cultures and needs and ensures all children are included and learn about differences within society. She has very good relationships with parents and shares both daily written and verbal information with them about their children. Children's care needs and routines are shared, although the childminder has no formal system to identify children's developmental starting points with parents. Parents are very positive in their praise of the childminder who they find provides an environment which is 'very welcoming and safe' with 'activities full of fun'. The childminder has been proactive in self- assessing her provision for children and has identified areas for further development. She has addressed all recommendations raised at her last inspection and successfully incorporated the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework into her practice.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children have excellent relationships with the childminder and turn to her readily for support showing that secure trusting relationships have been formed. They smile happily as they independently go and sit on the childminder's lap for a cuddle and thoroughly enjoy the close, loving interaction they receive from the childminder. Their emotional well-being is effectively supported and children grow in confidence as a consequence of the praise and encouragement the childminder lavishes on them during play. The childminder helps children learn about safety both outside and inside the home and regular fire drills develop children's awareness of help to keep themselves safe. Children develop healthy bodies through regular exercise and healthy meals. They have fun on the rocker in the garden and confidently climb on the sofa to sit and look at a book. They understand hygiene routines and readily go to wash their hands before eating a

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder skilfully supports and extends children's learning through play. She maintains regular observation records and children's development records track their progression in all learning areas. Children develop an awareness of number as the childminder encourages them to count with her the construction pieces they get out. She demonstrates how to join the pieces to build a tower and after intently watching the children try themselves. The childminder gets down to children's level to join in with their play and increases the language and vocabulary skills of children by describing colours and naming toys. A constant dialogue is maintained and words repeated to develop children's awareness of different sounds. Children listen to the childminder as she suggests they move a toy bus under a chair and show they have understood what she has said as they correctly manoeuvre it. They show an interest in books as they independently choose one to

p.5

and outcomes for children

look at and the childminder fosters children's interest in literature through trips to the local library. They enjoy mark making with different coloured crayons and show how happy and relaxed they are as they babble away to themselves as they play. Children have great fun and giggle and laugh with the childminder. They This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 show an awareness of their body as they excitedly point to body parts named by the childminder, such as their nose, hair, ear and toes. They concentrate as they take part in imaginary play with dolls and sit a doll on a chair and pretend to feed it. They show good hand-eye coordination as they carefully balance cotton reels on top of one another. The childminder is highly supportive of children and her happy disposition is infectious as children giggle excitedly in anticipation of being tickled as the childminder recites an interactive rhyme to them.

p.5

and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

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

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8