Childminder in East Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY218304 Inspection date 25/11/2009 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 2002. She has a recognised childcare qualification. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and seven years. They live in a house in St Leonards-on-Sea near to shops, schools and parks. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

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Description of the childminding

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 minding four 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 is a member of an approved childminding network and is currently in receipt of funding for early education for three and four-year-olds.

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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 enjoy their time with the childminder and make good progress in their learning and development. Their safety, well-being and health are effectively promoted as the childminder provides a safe, welcoming and caring environment where individual needs are met. The childminder has successfully made improvements to her provision since her last inspection. She shows that she is keen to continue to improve her knowledge and skills in order to benefit the children in her care.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 improve the record of risk assessment so that it more clearly identifies aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis, includes the date of the review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation - also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 16/12/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the observation and assessment process to identify next steps for individual children that are used to inform future planning and develop more opportunities for parents to share in the learning and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessment process  update the risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips.

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the early years provision

The childminder keeps up-to-date with her knowledge of safeguarding procedures by regularly attending training. She shows a clear understanding of her role in protecting children. She keeps her home safe and secure for children so that they can move and play free from harm. She demonstrates that she has a good awareness of potential risks to children and takes the necessary precautions to minimise any hazards. However, her written record of risk assessments lacks clarity and detail so does not fully meet the legal requirements. All other required records are in place and are generally well maintained. The childminder has a good partnership with parents as she shares her written policies and procedures with them so that they have clear information about her childcare provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely in partnership with another childminder who shares the care of some of her children. They share observations about each child and plan activities together that will help extend children’s learning and development. This helps ensure continuity of care and education for each child. The childminder shows a good awareness of the need to seek support and advice if she cares for any children with additional needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes part in quality assurance and assessment processes where she reviews her practices and identifies areas for improvement. She has regular visits from support workers who also assess her childcare and give advice and suggestions that she puts into action. She has a number of new forms of documentation that she has started using to enhance her observation and assessment of children’s learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder works closely with parents to find out about individual children before they start with her. She finds out about children’s individual needs, interests and abilities so that she can help them settle easily. This results in children being happy and excited to be left with the childminder. They settle quickly when they arrive and show that they feel safe and secure with her. Their independence is developing well as they make choices from the safe and age appropriate resources. They love to play with the musical instruments and use the beater to make different noises. They have fun playing with the buttons and switches on toys that make sounds and lights work.

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and outcomes for children

Children’s physical skills are developing well. They learn to stand and walk with support from the childminder. They feed themselves and are able to use their hands to hold tools as they make marks on the drawing mat. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encourages their communication skills as she talks to them. They smile and babble in response and start to say simple words that the childminder repeats back to them. Children make their feelings and wants known and the childminder responds well to them.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is developing a good and effective observation and assessment system to enable her to track individual children’s progress and plan activities that will help them develop further. She is aware of the need to adapt activities to meet the needs of individual children. She keeps parents well informed about their child’s progress through an initial formal settling in sheet, ongoing care diaries and verbal feedback. She has plans to extend the use of more formal feedback and the use of the learning records with parents so they can be more involved in children’s learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children’s understanding of safety is promoted well. They show they feel secure and confident with the childminder. They are happy to leave the childminder’s side to explore the environment when visitors are present. They sleep comfortably and safely when they need a rest. Older children learn about how to keep themselves safe when in the home and when they go on outings. They learn what to do in an emergency as they take part in fire drills.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in a clean and well maintained environment where good hygiene practices are carried out. Reminder posters in the toilet encourage children to wash their hands. They are encouraged to have a healthy diet and have easy access to drinks so they can help themselves when they get thirsty. Children get plenty of fresh air and exercise as they regularly go on outings to local parks. 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: 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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment). 16/12/2009

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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 early years section of the report (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment). 16/12/2009

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