Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY275561 Inspection date 10/12/2009 Inspector Shan Gwendoline Jones

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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 2004. She lives with her partner and two children aged three and nine years in a flat in Hove, East Sussex. All areas of the childminder’s flat is used for childminding and there is a small area for outside play. Access is via steps leading up to the flat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 well cared for in a safe, secure and welcoming family home where the childminder knows them well as individuals. The effective communication with parents, together with the positive support the childminder provides for children's activities, contributes to them making good progress in their learning. The childminder has begun to identify priorities for development which ensures her provision is continually improving and meets the needs of the children and families that use her service.

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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 used for self evaluating, documenting the views of children, parents/carers and other agencies, to assist in the identification of strengths and weaknesses, providing an additional focus for improvement  create an environment rich in print where children can learn about words, for example, by using labels and displaying posters

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the early years provision

The childminder implements effective policies and procedures to promote children's welfare and safety. She completes detailed risk assessments to ensure that children can move around freely and play in a safe environment, both in the home and on outings. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection and has a detailed range of reference documents accessible to help her access any safeguarding issues. She has recently attended a safeguarding course and this ensures her knowledge of child protection is up to date.

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the early years provision

All children clearly benefit and thrive as a result of the childminder's care and they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder provides a safe environment, which is conducive to learning. A very good range of toys and resources are freely available, and all children are able to access these independently. This enables them to make choices and decisions about what they do.

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the early years provision

Information gathered from parents is relevant and ensures that continuity of care is offered and children's individual needs are known and catered for. Parents are kept fully informed of their children's progress through daily discussions, daily diaries and access to children's records and photographs which the childminder has taken. The childminder has begun to gain feedback from parents via questionnaires to identify and address any areas where she can improve. Further self evaluation systems to assist in the identification of strengths and weaknesses are needed to provide an additional focus for improvement.

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the early years provision

Well organised systems ensure that required records and documentation are available and these clearly provide all the necessary information for the ongoing support of individual children. The childminder is effective in gaining permission for medical emergency advice or treatment. Accident and medication records are maintained clearly and daily information of activities and events are exchanged, providing continuity of care.

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and outcomes for children

The organisation of the resources enables children to make choices in their play, which increases their independence and confidence. For example, babies' toys and activities are within easy reach which encourages their large motor skills as they crawl towards their activity of choice. They have fun as the childminder builds a tower with bricks and the younger children knock them down. The children are offered a good range of planned creative activities, such as collage, play dough and cooking. Children show they feel safe as they make choices, helping themselves to toys and readily approaching the childminder when they need help or support. Photographs show how popular dressing-up clothes are to children, who obviously take delight in trying different outfits. All areas of learning are covered effectively during the time children are with the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children participate in regular trips and outings to local places of interest and enjoy social occasions. For example, they attend toddler drop in groups, music sessions and visit the library. Children see positive images of diversity in the play equipment they access each day. The childminder helps them to develop an open attitude to people's differences by setting a good example by showing respect for all. They benefit from good levels of interaction with the childminder, as she actively encourages and supports them in their chosen activity.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a healthy lifestyle. They learn good procedures for their own personal hygiene and start to make choices in what they eat from healthy options. Children have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they play in the small enclosed outdoor area or visit parks to practise large muscle skills. Children have This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 been growing sunflowers to encourage their knowledge and understanding of nature. They learn about aspects of their own safety when they are out and about, which includes safe routines for crossing roads and how to use equipment safely. Children understand what is expected if they must leave the home in an emergency situation because they are included in regular practises of the escape plan. Children receive positive messages about behaving well when the childminder praises them and they learn to behave sensibly by helping to tidy away toys or by

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and outcomes for children

removing their shoes when entering the home.

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and outcomes for children

Skills for the future are being learnt through the accessibility of books and mark- making materials. However, written print is less evident in the environment to encourage recognition of simple words to promote children's pre-reading skills. The matching and counting games foster numeracy and children also use simple computers and programmable toys to enable them to begin to understand how to operate information and communication technology.

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and outcomes for children

The written observations of children's development show that they are making good progress. The childminder is developing her confidence and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage as she uses notes and photographs to record the children's achievements. She is working steadily through each area of learning and making some useful cross-references to children's stages of development, which are detailed in the practice guidance book. This helps her to plan how to support children's future steps and is a promising start to this area of her work. 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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