Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY392242 Inspection date 06/11/2009 Inspector Liz Whitehead

p.1

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.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2009. She lives with her husband and child aged 19 months, in Moortown, a suburb of Leeds. The ground floor and first floor bathroom and a bedroom of the property are used for childminding purposes, and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has two cats.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for children on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of five children at any one time and has five children on roll, three of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is committed to providing good quality care for children and very effectively meets their individual needs. All the required documentation is in place, mostly maintained appropriately and readily available for inspection. The childminder evaluates her practice effectively and demonstrates a clear commitment to developing her skills and knowledge. She has an excellent understanding regarding health and safety and ensures that children are safeguarded at all times. She establishes very strong relationships with parents and recognises the importance of developing links with other settings to enable children make sound progress in all areas of learning .

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 further develop systems to maintain confidentiality.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder is very confident regarding the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. She is fully aware of the procedure to follow in the event of a concern regarding a child in her care. She encourages the children 'not to have secrets' and actively pursues regular training to support and develop her knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children. She maintains high standards in relation to monitoring the suitability of household members, and conducts and reviews thorough risk assessments for the indoors, outdoors and outings. She ensures the premises are secure at all times and that visitors are fully aware of the emergency evacuation procedure and the location of the keys and exits. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder engages effectively, is committed to partnership working and is pro-active in establishing effective relationships with other providers, including the

p.4

the early years provision

local children's centre. This enhances children's care and learning and eases their transition between settings and ensures that she uses local resources to effectively promote the outcomes for children. Parents are very happy with the care children receive and the sharing of information, which provides them with an excellent insight into the way she meets the individual needs of all children. Parents receive a comprehensive and professional pack of information detailing the policies and procedures to ensure they are fully aware of the childminding service. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of maintaining confidentiality and ensures that all personal and sensitive information is accessible only to herself, although she sometimes names other people in children's records.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality and diversity very well and ensures that all children and parents feel welcome and valued in her setting. She successfully creates a homely environment where children have a real sense of belonging as she encourages them to bring a favourite toy from home to make sleep time a relaxing and pleasant experience. She is fully aware of the importance of creating a sustainable environment and encourages the children to participate in recycling and growing their own vegetables. The childminder actively seeks the views and opinions of others through regular discussions, questionnaires and visits from other professionals to highlight the setting's strengths and priorities for improvement. The childminder is highly motivated and displays a secure knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She demonstrates a clear commitment towards providing a high quality service and maintaining continuous

p.5

and outcomes for children

The learning environment is well organised with a dedicated playroom. Parents praise the many activities and outings that children participate in, especially regularly visiting groups to encourage children to socialise with their peers. The childminder knows the children well. She is exceptionally adept at knowing when and how to interact to extend their learning, and when to allow children the time and space to play alone or with their friends. The childminder uses every opportunity to enhance children's learning and to develop early problem solving skills. She encourages the children to work out how they can get the ball from under the couch and supports them in using the play sweeping brush to reach it. The children then spontaneously use the brush to retrieve the ball the next time.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder skilfully uses one activity to promote many aspects of learning. She actively encourages the children to work together as a team to achieve their goal. She suggests that one child 'sweeps' the floor, one 'mops', whilst the third child 'vacuums', and they talk about the importance of keeping the house clean to keep them healthy. Children are developing a secure knowledge of health and bodily awareness and older children know 'to wear a hat to protect them from the sun' and that 'running is good for them as it stops them getting fat and keeps them healthy'. Despite the young age of some children, the childminder reminds This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them to wash between their fingers to get rid of any germs, to keep them healthy. Children spontaneously recognise their individual colour coded towels and cups and become really excited as they make healthy choices at snack and meal times.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children display a sense of pride in their activities and achievements and the childminder takes lots of photographs, some of which she sends by email, to involve parents in their children's learning. She encourages parents to contribute to children's learning records where she details regular observations, which clearly track children's progress towards the early learning goals, and effectively plans the next steps in learning for each child. The childminder fully respects and values the children's uniqueness and heritage. She rigorously implements the language policy and uses lots of repetition and pictures to communicate effectively with children. They celebrate many festivals and regularly talk about relatives living in different countries. Additionally, the childminder actively promotes children's awareness of a range of foods, how and where it grows, and how different cultures use different utensils to eat with.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children feel exceptionally safe within the childminder's care as she carefully explains who visitors are and why they are visiting. She is fully aware of the importance of teaching children how to stay safe and naturally uses everyday play activities to extend and enhance children's understanding. They discuss the importance of fastening the doll into the pushchair, wiping spilt water up immediately, keeping the floor clear of toys and ensuring that young children cannot access small pieces as they may choke. Additionally, she uses stories to further enhance children's awareness of safety. Children develop a positive self image as the childminder offers them meaningful praise in their play. Manners are positively encouraged and children follow the good example set by the childminder, who is polite and courteous as she speaks and plays with the children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8