Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY392124 Inspection date 17/11/2009 Inspector Teresa Elkington

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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 2009. She lives with her partner and two children aged six and three years, in Crawley West Sussex. The ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The premises is close to local schools, parks, and transport links. The childminder is registered to care for three children aged under eight years of which no more than one may be under one year. There are currently two children on roll, who are in the early years age group. The childminder is also registered on both parts of the childcare register. The childminder attends toddler groups with young children and is able to take and collect children from local schools and nurseries.

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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

The childminder provides a relaxed, homely and welcoming environment for children. As a result the children are able to build positive relationships with the childminder and enjoy the time they spend in her care. Children's individual needs are recognised and identified, ensuring that children are treated equally and fairly within an inclusive environment. However, the provision for planning and assessment is in its infancy, which inhibits the childminder's ability to effectively plan for children's learning and development. The childminder shows a commitment to improving her service, but has yet to undertake any significant self- evaluation, which limits her ability to reflect on current practice to ensure that the outcomes for children are continually improved.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure garden pond is made safe (Safeguarding and promoting welfare) 01/12/2009

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further?

 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment (Promoting good health) 01/12/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of systematic observations and assessments of children’s achievements, interests and learning styles in all areas of learning to plan challenging, relevant and motivating play experiences for each child indoors and out, across all areas of learning and development  develop the use of reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will continuously improve the quality of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the provision for all children  practice regular evcuation drills and maintain a record in the fire log book, which includes details of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  increase the range of positive images that children see regarding race, culture and disability within the toys  ensure all records in support of children's welfare are in place including permission to travel by car and for outings.

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the early years provision

Children are appropriately safeguarded in the childminder's care. For example, she has a suitable understanding of the procedure she would follow if she had concerns about a child, she holds a current first aid certificate and all adults within the household hold have been vetted. Risks are clearly identified through the use of formal risk assessments. However, action to ensure that identified risks are appropriately made safe are slow. For example, precautions to ensure that the garden pond is made safe have not been implemented. Most of the required documentation for the efficient management of the setting is in place and maintained to a satisfactory standard. However, written permission for the obtaining of emergency treatment or advice has not been sought from parents; and no permission is in place to allow the childminder to transport children in her car or participate on outings. This impacts on children's safety and well-being.

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the early years provision

The childminder manages the available space within her home appropriately to ensure young children have sufficient room to move and explore. They have access to a satisfactory range of resources that are age and stage appropriate and are organised to enable children to make their own choices about what they wish to play with. Since registration, the childminder has begun to develop her range of equipment that reflects diversity. She is aware of the need to continue to develop these resources to fully enhance children's access to positive images of ethnicity and disability.

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the early years provision

The childminder is developing her partnerships with parents well. Information is discussed with the parents verbally and through the use of a daily communication book, which provides an opportunity to highlight children’s daily care routines, activities and achievements of the day. Parents are given sufficient documentation from the childminder when they start in the setting and have access to a portfolio which contains a range of policies and procedures which guides her service. The childminder is aware of the importance of making links with other providers and partners supporting children's individual needs. The childminder has begun to reflect on her practice to ensure that experiences for children are positive. She recognises that aspects of her service such as her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) could be developed, particularly in support of her understanding of how to assess and plan for children's next steps in their learning.

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are well settled and participate in a range of activities which are appropriate for their age and stage of development. Independence is actively encouraged as children make choices about what they wish to play with, from the range of toys and resources that are available to them. They sit for sustained periods of time in their chosen activities showing an enthusiastic approach in all that they undertake. Children enjoy caring relationships with the childminder who is on hand to support and guide children in their chosen play experiences. She constantly talks with them and allows them to lead their play, which enables them to be independent and active learners. For example, the childminder sits with a child as they piece together a jigsaw puzzle, engaging the child in conversation about the pictures and encouraging them to look carefully to ensure that the picture is matched with the appropriate pieces already in place. The childminder

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and outcomes for children

understands the importance of monitoring each child's progress and achievements and is fully aware of the need to develop this area of her work to ensure that future activities are effectively planned to help consolidate and extend children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are protected from the possible risk of infection and illness through the policies and procedures adopted by the childminder. They access a warm and homely environment where cleanliness and hygiene are a priority. Children's good health is further promoted by the childminder who teaches them good hygiene routines and provides them with healthy snacks, meals and regular drinks in support of their dietary needs. They play in the childminder's garden with a range of physical play resources and regularly visit toddler groups and local parks, which also develops their understanding of their immediate community. Children's understanding of keeping themselves safe is actively encouraged when out and about. They learn about the importance of abiding by the rules of the road and the need to be appropriately retrained when travelling by car. However, the childminder does not currently undertake emergency evacuation with the children

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and outcomes for children

to ensure that they are able to respond in the event of an emergency.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder helps children to begin to understand how to behave in ways that are safe for themselves and others and she intervenes as necessary to encourage sharing and to disperse tensions. This approach helps all children develop the habits and behaviour appropriate to good learners, their own needs and those of others and sets the scene for expected forms of cooperative behaviour in the future. The childminder offers lots of praise and encouragement as children play, helping to develop confidence and self-esteem. 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 teh ealry years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) 01/12/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in teh ealry years section of the report (Welfare of the chdlren being cared for) 01/12/2009

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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 teh ealry years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) 01/12/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in teh ealry years section of the report (Welfare of the chdlren being cared for) 01/12/2009

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