Childminder in Southampton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 131453 Inspection date 23/09/2009 Inspector Helen Mary Ball

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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 1998. She lives with her school-age children in the Fremantle area of Southampton close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. Access to the premises is good. The ground floor of the property is primarily used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. She has two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, of which two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group who attend for a variety of sessions. 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.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the Southampton Childminding Association and 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

Children thrive in the care of this childminder who puts children at the heart of everything she does. She has a positive approach and this means that children of all abilities take part in activities which she adapts to meet their individual stages of development. The childminder has a professional approach to childcare and is committed to developing her own knowledge through ongoing training; she evaluates the provision and successfully identifies areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 further support children learning English as an additional language, by having regard to the effective practice guidance in the Department for Children, Schools and Families guidance "Supporting children learning English as an additional language  continue to develop systems for observing and assessing children's progress and use them to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child

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the early years provision

Children are very well safeguarded because the childminder has attended training in child protection, she has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 child abuse and has written a child protection policy which is shared with parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder is exceptionally well organised and children’s health and welfare are very effectively underpinned because required policies, procedures and consents are in place; all records are meticulous. Children are safe because the childminder has conducted a thorough risk assessment of her home, minimised all risks and closely supervises children.

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the early years provision

Children develop independence as they select their activities from a wide range of resources which are readily accessible in the playroom. Daily routines ensure that children have ample opportunities to play and learn indoors, outdoors and on a variety of outings. The childminder promotes equal opportunities by meeting children’s individual needs very well and she has a working knowledge of caring for children from a variety of cultures. She is proactive in seeking further ways to support children who speak English as an additional language.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good relationships with parents/carers and as a result, children are happy, settled, safe and secure in a setting where the childminder treats each child with equal concern.

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the early years provision

The childminder observes and assesses children's development and keeps careful records of children’s achievements. Through effective self evaluation, the childminder has already identified this as an area for further development. The childminder is committed to further improving her provision through a wide range of training courses. She has recently completed a Level 3 qualification.

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and outcomes for children

Children are incredibly relaxed and happy in this home. The childminder is very calm and she ensures that each child receives individual time and attention when they need it. All children are included and valued and have developed sound relationships with the childminder and their peers. The childminder encourages children to work together through planned activities such as art projects; this helps all children to feel included and develop high levels of self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder effectively supports children's learning; she provides sensitive support to children and differentiates activities and questioning to enable all to progress according to their own stages of development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder carries out observations and assessments of children’s progress so that these can be used to plan for their future learning needs. Children at this setting thrive on responsibility; the childminder encourages them to help with tasks such as picking raspberries from the garden and helping to prepare snacks. This helps children to develop a sense of belonging and pride. She knows each child very well and competently recognises their current stages of development; as a result they make good progress towards the Early Learning Goals.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder strikes an effective balance between adult-led and child-initiated This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 activities. She knows children’s individual interests and plans for simple activities such as collecting conkers; she then uses these across several areas of learning to develop children’s conversation skills, number skills and creativity. This means that children are fully engaged in activities because they are interested and they are helped to develop skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a healthy lifestyle through daily physical exercise. They are taken out every day and they regularly visit local parks. The childminder’s garden is fully enclosed and she allows children the freedom to move between the indoors and outdoors on a free-flow basis. This means that children can be energetic when they wish.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder helps the children to stay healthy by teaching them to use careful hygiene routines, and she provides disposable hand towels to prevent the spread of infection. Frequent praise and the childminder’s calm approach to behaviour management, ensures that children are gaining in confidence and that their wellbeing is assured; this means that children feel safe at this setting. 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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