Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY266162 Inspection date 18/03/2010 Inspector Alison Large

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged under eight years, in the Netley Abbey area of Southampton. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The ground floor is easily accessible to adults and children. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently minding three children in the early years age group all day and one older child before and after school. The childminder is able to walk to the local schools to take and collect children. The family have a pet dog. The childminder attends various groups on a regular basis and is a member of the National Childminding Association, she is a member of an approved childminding network.

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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 are happy and settled in the welcoming and nurturing environment where their safety and welfare are promoted successfully. The childminder has a professional approach to her childcare, and is committed to continual improvement in the setting through ongoing training. She has put in place the recommendations made at her last inspection, and has started to evaluate the provision, ensuring continuous improvement in her practice. The childminder ensures all children are equally valued and included. Children's learning is supported well through methods appropriate to their ages and level of development; therefore they make good progress.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the system for seeking information from parents about the children's development as a starting point for their learning journey  continue to develop the systems of observation, assessment and planning to fully support children's learning and development

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the early years provision

The childminder is caring and works closely with the children and their families. Children are fully protected as the childminder has a clear understanding of how to act should she have a child protection concern, and arrangements to safeguard children are robust. She ensures children are supervised at all times and uses risk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessments effectively to identify hazards, taking appropriate measures to ensure their safety, she ensure the risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure children's safety both within the home and on outings, for example to the park or trips in the car. Sound partnerships with parents ensure appropriate information is shared through discussion. The required information and consents are obtained and recorded which ensures children's welfare is promoted. Parents have access to their child's individual folder which includes examples of work and

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the early years provision

photographs of activities they have taken part in. They are kept fully informed of their child's routine and their learning and development. However, the childminder has not yet put any formal systems in place to find out about children's starting points in their development when they join the setting. The childminder liaises with the pre-schools the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) children attend to ensure information is shared. Although there are no children attending with special educational needs and/or disabilities, the childminder is happy to discuss any concerns she may have about a child's development with parents to ensure they are valued. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of inclusive practice and encourages children to be fully involved in all aspects of their play and learning. Children develop independence as they select their activities from a good range of resources both inside and outside. She provides children with a warm,

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the early years provision

family environment, where they feel safe and secure and their emotional needs are well met.

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the early years provision

A wide range of written policies and procedures that underpin her good practice are in place and provided to parents. The childminder ensures that the emergency evacuation procedure is practised regularly with the children and details are recorded in a fire log. The childminder has begun to reflect on her practice and identify ways to improve outcomes for children. She has completed a level three qualification and is working towards becoming accredited in a childminding network.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and make good progress in their learning and development. They settle quickly due to the childminder's kind and caring attitude; she gets to know them well and meets their individual routines and preferences. The childminder has a good understanding of how children in the EYFS age range learn and provides lots of opportunities to help them progress in all areas of learning in and outside the home. For example, they enjoy playing in the garden in the sit in cars and the childminder has extended this by drawing parking spaces and a petrol pump to encourage the children's imaginative play. The children become engrossed in the wide range of interesting resources and stimulating activities provided. Low level storage of toys and books enables them to make their selections with ease. Many resources promote positive images of all people in society, helping children to learn about diversity. The clean and well

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and outcomes for children

planned environment allows children to move around freely, safely and independently. Children learn about developing a healthy lifestyle, they have opportunities for daily physical exercise and are offered healthy snacks. They are encouraged in their hygiene routines and learn to wash their hands after using the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 toilet and before eating. Children make choices of what to play with and what to have for snack. They learn to share toys with peers and to be kind and polite through the gentle encouragement of the childminder. This helps them develop high self-esteem and to manage their own behaviour.

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and outcomes for children

All areas of children's learning are promoted well and they make good progress. Children learn about shape as they use cutters with the play dough. The use of numbers and counting is promoted well and the childminder encourages them to solve problems and calculate. They have many opportunities to develop their physical skills both in and outdoors. They excitedly play with the play dough indoors and use the trampoline in the garden. Visiting the local toddler group helps to develop the children's social skills. The childminder is making observations and assessments of children's progress, and uses these to identify the next steps in their learning, she has also started to plan various activities for the children. She has highlighted this as an area she is keen to develop further. 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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