Childminder in East Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY331418 Inspection date 17/12/2009 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 2006. She has a recognised childcare qualification. She lives with her partner and 12 year old child. They live in a house in Eastbourne near to schools, a railway station, shops 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 has two cats. The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six 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 supports children who have English as an additional language.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy being with the childminder and make satisfactory progress as she interacts effectively with them to support and extend their learning as they play. In general, children’s welfare is promoted and satisfactory arrangements are in place to ensure their safety and well-being. Partnerships with parents are largely informal and focused on children’s welfare rather than on their learning. The childminder’s future plans for development are limited but are likely to bring about some improvement to the childcare provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that prior written permission for each and every medicine is obtained from parents before any medication is given (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 17/12/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 improve and develop the observation and assessment system so that it more effectively shows how every child is making progress towards all the early learning goals and use the information to plan further learning experiences that are tailored to meet their individual needs  develop opportunities for parents to contribute to children's learning and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development and to share in the assessment process  improve safety with regard to the hazardous items in low kitchen cupboards.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a satisfactory awareness of how to recognise child abuse. Her procedures for reporting any concerns she has about a child help to safeguard children in her care. The home is kept secure and no adult is left unsupervised with children. Due to a misunderstanding, there have been a few occasions when, for a very brief period, the childminder worked outside her conditions of registration. This was some time ago and the childminder confirms that she now ensures that she keeps to her registered numbers.

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the early years provision

In general, her risk assessments are brief but adequate. She shows a satisfactory understanding of potential hazards to children and how to minimise them effectively. This helps ensure children play and move independently around the home free from harm, with the exception of a few of the kitchen cupboards. The majority of the required documentation to help protect children's welfare is in place and kept appropriately. However, on a few occasions the childminder has only obtained verbal parental consent for the administration of medication to a child. This is a breach of the welfare requirements as such consents must be in writing to ensure that children receive the correct medication and dosage.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms satisfactory partnerships with parents. She finds out most of the relevant information she needs in order to ensure continuity of care for each child. The childminder gives parents a variety of clear information about her policies and practices. However, little information is given to parents to help them understand about her role with regard to the Early Years Foundation Stage. Parents are given adequate information about their child’s day. However, there are few opportunities for them to share in their child’s learning and development. The lack of organisation of the assessment records also makes it difficult for them to see how well their child is achieving in all areas of learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes some steps to evaluate and improve her practices. She has improved safety and hygiene for the children since the last inspection. She is aware of some of her weaknesses and has attended a few courses and completed her childcare qualification in order to develop her skills and benefit children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled with the childminder. Young children enjoy having cuddles with her and show they feel secure in the presence of other adults. Children like exploring their world as they learn to crawl and roll. The childminder gives them the support they need as they develop their physical skills. Children use their hands to grab objects in their reach and repeatedly investigate the toys. Young children learn to communicate by making sounds and gestures. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder responds well to them and meets their needs. She talks to them as they play and gives them plenty of eye contact and praise. Children are encouraged to say new words.

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and outcomes for children

Children have access to a satisfactory range of safe and age appropriate toys. They learn to develop their independence as they make some choices of activities. Children enjoy the number puzzles and like to look at books. They have opportunities to experience different textures and crafts. They go on outings to places such as the park and beach, where they explore the wider world. The childminder helps children develop a positive attitude towards differences in society through planned activities and encouraging children to share their experiences and traditions with each other.

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and outcomes for children

Overall, children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. The childminder carries out some observations and assessments of several of the children. She plans activities that she feels will help some of the individual children make further progress. However, the observation and assessment system is not well organised and is not in place for every child. It does not clearly show how every child is making progress in all areas of learning and how they can be helped to achieve.

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and outcomes for children

Children’s health is satisfactorily promoted. Appropriate hygiene procedures are carried out to keep the home clean and to keep children free from infection. They eat healthy home cooked meals and have access to drinking water at all times. Children get regular fresh air and exercise. They learn about road safety when they go out. Their awareness of personal safety is also promoted when they practise fire evacuation with the childminder. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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 (Keeping of records). 17/12/2009

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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 (Keeping of records). 17/12/2009

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