Childminder, Out-of school day care in East Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY251241 Inspection date 20/01/2010 Inspector Chris Mackinnon

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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 first registered in January 2003, and lives with her husband and three school age, children in the Old Town area of Eastbourne, East Sussex. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with the upstairs rooms are also used for short periods. Children have access to a paved patio and back garden for outdoor activities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of six children may attend up to the age of eight years, with no more than three in the early years age group. The childminder currently has 11 children on roll with two in the early years age group. The childminder mostly cares for older children after school, and has level three qualifications in childcare and play work.

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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 is well qualified and experienced, and gives close consideration to supporting children's individual care and welfare. Children enjoy a stimulating play environment, with access to a wide selection of play resources and learning materials. The range and scope of the play and learning activities is of a high standard, and children make excellent learning progress. The childminder makes effective use of self-evaluation and has a positive approach to improving her childcare provision. The childminder has good partnerships with parents and links effectively with local schools, to support children's continued learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the assessment arrangements to support younger children's learning progress  widen the range of diversity based activities within the play and learning programme

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the early years provision

The childminder is an experienced provider, and has effective leadership and management. She has previously supervised a local pre-school setting, and has completed level three training in both early years teaching and play work for older children. She has also attended training for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, which she successfully applies to support the younger children's learning progress. The childminder is well organised and consistent in her ability to safeguard children. She effectively organises her practice to maintain children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safety and security, and has completed several sessions of child protection training. The childminder also has clear policies and written guidance on safeguarding procedures, and takes a close interest in individual children's welfare and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a number of recognisable strengths within her practice, particularly with the presentation of projects and activities to promote children's enjoying and achieving. She also shows excellent teaching skills when interacting with children, and extending their learning skills. Her ability to support the interests and learning of children over a range of ages, is also a major strength, and an outstanding element within her childcare programme. Children enjoy the many attractive and stimulating play resources that are presented, and make good use of the prepared play areas within the childminder's home. A significant and well organised feature of the setting, is the range of art-crafts, and creative pursuits provided. Good use is also made of the computer to initiate and develop play and learning. Younger children have access to small world play, and a wide selection of books to support their reading. Opportunities to use outdoor play resources and

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound awareness of the need to promote diversity, and give children a positive understanding of people's differences. This is achieved through the regular celebration of festivals, and children become well involved in making and learning about other culture foods and customs. Children's diversity learning is also soundly supported by books and stories from around the world, but the childminder's range of diversity learning within the play environment is not yet fully developed.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows a good awareness of the need to make partnerships with other settings and care providers. She has strong links to the local junior schools and makes contact with children's teachers to promote their continued learning. She has also established close and effective relationships with parents, and successfully shares information on children's achievements and learning development.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of reflective practice and consistently appraises her range of activities, and the preparation of the learning environment. She applies well organised and consistent methods to develop her practice, and understands that improvement is ongoing and necessary. She has created her own self-evaluation document, which closely follows the Ofsted model, and has a clear development plan to support and guide her future care and play work provision.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a highly stimulating range of play and learning activities, that are well presented to interest children over a wide age range. She makes good use of seasonal events and learning themes, and takes close account of children's individual interests, to support their learning. She also ensures a good selection of resources are in place within the learning environment. Many of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 activities for older children are planned by the children themselves, and the younger children are also successfully encouraged to develop their own play and learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is a well qualified in early years practice, and in supporting older children's play work activities. Her experience in organising learning for different age groups is highly consistent, and the overall quality of children's enjoying and achieving is outstanding. The childminder is also highly skilful at extending children's progress and achievement, and takes good care to ensure all the of the six required areas of learning are fully explored. She is also highly adaptive and encouraging when directing play, and is able to successfully promote children's critical thinking and active learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder successfully monitors children's progress, and shows a good awareness of the need to support individual children's learning development. She makes frequent notes on children's involvement and their responses to activities. The childminder is currently developing her use of assessment to support the younger children's learning progress, and this aspect of practice is identified as an area for further improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Throughout the play programme, the childminder is outstanding in her promotion of children's future skills and development. Children are successfully encouraged to work together and help each other during many activities that supports their personal and social learning. Like cooking and the preparation of meals and snacks for example. Children also have frequent challenges to support problem solving and reasoning. For example, during play with prepared computer programmes, children show how good they are at recognising numbers, sizes and sequences. Children's use of language and encouragement with words and speech, is also well supported. For example, many good opportunities are provided for children to use writing, and to demonstrate their reading skills and interest in books and stories. Most of all, children greatly enjoy working on their creative development, and have frequent opportunities for this. For example, the childminder is currently

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and outcomes for children

encouraging the children to make items with salt dough, which involves cutting and shaping, and learning how to use a range of tools and materials.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder gives close consideration to promoting children's healthy growth and development. Children are also kept safe and secure, through clearly organised safety procedures. The childminder has recently attended training in how to guard against cross infection, and has clearly organised health and safety policies. A thorough range of risk assessments are also in place that include safety outdoors and on outings. Children's physical development and confidence is consistently supported, with many opportunities provided for physical play and development. Children use the back garden play areas whenever they can, and are also energetic indoors with interactive computer games and sports.

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and outcomes for children

Much good support is provided by the childminder, to encourage children to join in and take part in the play activities. Younger children benefit from their supervised involvement in group activities, and older children effectively participate in the setting of house rules, and maintaining considerate behaviour towards others. Children greatly enjoy activities that supports their knowledge and understanding This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of the world. For example, a purpose built insect habitat in the garden, successfully supports children's learning about mini beasts and nature. Another significant feature of the setting, is the childminder's well managed use of the computer, to widen children's interests and learning about the world around them. 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 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 1

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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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