Childminder in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY388482 Inspection date 22/09/2009 Inspector Maria Lumley

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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 2008. She lives with her partner and 17 month old child in Parkstone, an area of Poole. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of five children at any one time, no more than two of which may be in the early years age range. The childminder has an assistant who works with her part-time. There are five children currently on roll, four of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder is 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 childminder has a good understanding of children's individual needs and interests, which helps her to provide high quality care, learning and development opportunities to each child. This is enhanced by the strong relationships that the childminder has established with parents. Children are safe, secure and benefit from accessing a welcoming and homely environment. The childminder is committed to training, which helps her to develop her own skills and knowledge, keeping up to date with relevant childcare practices. Effective evaluation systems ensure continuous improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve resources and systems to ensure children's independence as they wash their hands  further improve the serving of snacks to minimise cross infection  continue to develop systems to further incorporate parents' comments into children’s individual records to ensure they contribute to and are fully involved with their child’s learning on a regular basis.

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the early years provision

Good procedures safeguard children’s welfare. For example, the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues, which is successfully shared with parents in order to promote children’s safety. Risk assessments are carried out daily and appropriate action is taken to ensure the environments, both indoors and outside, are safe. For example, gates deny children access to the hall, and protectors on tables and work tops reduce the risks of children hurting themselves on sharp corners. The childminder takes children on trips to libraries and toddler groups, planning safe walking routes. During an outing to a soft play area, the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder noticed a split in a foam shape. She alerted the supervisor to deal with it to ensure children's safety was not compromised.

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the early years provision

The childminder has effective systems in place to evaluate the provision. This includes seeking the views of parents, using the complaints and compliments book and regular visits from her childminding co-ordinator. A parent suggested that children have opportunities to visit a variety of parks rather than just the local one. This prompted the childminder to research alternative parks, and children now benefit from trips to a range further a field. The childminder constantly reviews her resources and the environment in line with the ages and development of children. Since registration, she has been creative in addressing the steps between the higher and lower levels of the garden. She has had a hand rail secured and a small slide positioned, enabling children to safely move between the two levels. Children are familiar with the routine and enjoy sliding down to safely access the lower garden. The childminder's record of achievement demonstrates continued training

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the early years provision

since starting work in childcare in 2007 and plans for future training to keep up to date with childcare practices.

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the early years provision

Good partnerships are established with parents and carers. Initial meetings are planned giving parents time to discuss the provision and become familiar with all records and polices. New children benefit from settling-in sessions, giving them time to become familiar and settled with the new environment and their carer. The childminder is sensitive to the needs of individual children, ensuring that settling-in timescales are flexible to meet the different personalities and temperaments. Parents chat to the childminder at the start and end of the day and are provided with detailed daily diaries which clearly record what children have done in their absence. The childminder encourages regular contact via email, text messages and phone calls. Feedback from parents demonstrates their positive views on the provision and the care and education their children receive. A parent comments, 'My child receives fantastic care, is happy and safe'. Another parent reports, 'My

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the early years provision

child gets excited when they arrive at childminder's home'.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in their learning because of the range of interesting and enjoyable activities provided, such role play, craft, story and singing sessions. They benefit from a good balance of adult-led activities and self- initiated play. The childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She uses effective observations to ensure that she has a clear understanding of individual children's stages of development. These are used to inform planning and to support children in their next steps. Parents share information of what children are doing at home, however, this is not always recorded in children's files. The childminder knows children's interests very well and plans activities to take these preferences into account. For example, children regularly stand by the large aquarium in the lounge; they become captivated by the colourful fish as they swim by. The childminder notes their interest and plans a

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and outcomes for children

trip to Southern Aquatics, where they view large tropical fish and they visit the beach where they explore rock pools looking for sea life. The childminder also This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 purchases additional resources such as tactile books and children enjoy stroking 'fish scales'.

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and outcomes for children

Children have very good opportunities to promote their physical development in the well equipped garden where they climb, slide and swing. They thoroughly enjoy using the swings; the childminder starts momentum by pushing and children try to keep this going by moving their legs back and forth, maintaining motion. Children also have opportunities to visit soft play areas, parks and beaches. Their small muscle control is developing through the use of resources such as pencils and puzzles. Children play happily alongside each other. Young children are learning to take turns and share. For example, while using the light box to trace pictures, they wait patiently for their friends to finish. They show good levels of concentration as they thread coloured reels onto cord. They stack up bricks three high before excitedly knocking them over. Children carefully manipulate simple peg puzzles to match shape and size. They confidently select from the wide range of

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and outcomes for children

accessible and age-appropriate resources. A young child chooses a stacking tower and plays with the plastic rings. The childminder supports this child and extends their learning by encouraging them to compare sizes, introducing words such as small, big, biggest. After trial and error and lots of adult support the child is able to stack the four rings in correct size order. They smile with satisfaction at the completed task. The childminder says, 'Well done, clever boy', building the child's confidence and self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing good awareness of being healthy as they wash their hands before eating and after outdoor play. The childminder explains why they need to wash off any germs. However, children's independence is hindered as they cannot reach the sink. The childminder lifts them up and operates the taps and soap dispenser for them. The childminder follows good nappy changing procedures and has tissues sited in the room to ensure runny noses are frequently wiped. The provision of snacks ensures that children benefit from healthy, nutritious foods as they are offered a wide selection of sliced fruits. However, the childminder has not fully considered children's health as they select from a communal bowl. Children visit the local supermarket to purchase fruit and talk about where they are grown. They use the self-service till where they pack and pay for their purchases. Children enjoy opportunities to learn about keeping themselves safe and participate in

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and outcomes for children

evacuations of the home in case of an emergency. A neighbour recently had a bonfire and the childminder used this as an opportunity to further raise children's awareness of the dangers of fire and smoke. 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 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 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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