Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY360296 Inspection date 06/10/2009 Inspector Daphne Prescott

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children in Littlehampton, West Sussex. All areas of the property is used for childminding and there is a garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. There are currently three children on roll, of whom two are in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She also attends parent and toddler groups.

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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's clear understanding of child development and how children learn through play, leads to children making good progress in their learning and development. She has good relationships with parents/carers and shares information regularly to keep them well informed about their child's progress. Children's individuality is respected and promoted by the childminder. Each child is supported, valued and included, ensuring their individual needs are met. The childminder implements clear practices and procedures, which help to fully safeguard and promote children's welfare. An initial self-evaluation means there are effective strategies in place to support the continuous improvement of the service she provides for the benefit of the children and their families.

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further?

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

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further?

 undertake a risk assessment for each and every outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 06/10/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain written parental permission for children to take part in outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of how to safeguard children. A record of risk assessment is undertaken for the areas within her home, which identify This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 hazards and enable preventative measures to be put in place to protect children. The children are able to move freely and independently indoors within the constraints of safety while under the close supervision of the childminder. They are further protected through the childminder's good awareness of her role and responsibilities regarding child protection issues. The childminder is fully aware of safety when on outings. She has in place a record of some risk assessment for outings. However, she has not carried out a full risk assessment for each individual outing that the children take part in. This is a breach of a specific legal requirement. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate to enable her to deal

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the early years provision

appropriately with any accidents. Children's accidents and medication are well managed, and all required records are in place and completed accurately.

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes caring and supportive working relationships with parents/carers. All children's personal details are gathered from parents/carers before they begin a placement and she is sensitive to their individual needs when settling them in her home. She provides an inclusive service, where each child is fully supported, respected and valued for their uniqueness. For example, she provides resources, such as language books to support the linguistic development of children who are acquiring more than one language. There are effective systems in place to share information and to keep parents informed about their children's care and learning. The childminder maintains a detailed daily diary where she carefully records day-to-day welfare matters and children's activities, which are shared with the children's parents. All of the required documentation is in place and maintained, with the exception that a record of the necessary consent for

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the early years provision

outings has not been obtained from parents to help towards promoting children's safety and welfare. The childminder fully understands her responsibilities to work with parents and other agencies to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder is fully committed and strives to improve the service she provides. She recognises the importance of continuous improvement and she is beginning to identify the strengths and areas that require developing. She has addressed previous recommendations from her last inspection, improving outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel at home as they are cared for by a warm and caring childminder who has formed lovely relationships with the children in her care. They thoroughly enjoy playing in the childminder's home where space and resources are well organised so that children can access resources independently according to their age and stage of development. Children benefit greatly from the welcoming and affectionate care the childminder provides. They are very settled and they show good levels of confidence because they feel secure in the childminder's care.

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and outcomes for children

All children are making good progress within the six areas of learning. The childminder is beginning to regularly observe and record children's development in their individual portfolios, identifying children's next steps for learning to inform the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 planning process. She knows each child really well and works in partnership with parents to promote continuity and progression for each child. Children have a great time as they enjoy participating in an interesting range of adult-led and child- initiated activities, delivered through indoor and outdoor play. The childminder plans a wide range of activities each week based on children's individual interests and needs. As the younger children's concentration is short the childminder introduces new activities to keep them interested and to continually develop new skills. Children use their imagination well as they engage in role play activities.

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and outcomes for children

They have a great time playing imaginatively pushing their shopping trolley around the childminder's home. They have fun building with the train set, constructing with a clear purpose in mind as they piece the track together to ride their trains. The childminder continually chats to the children as they play, forming simple conversations with them, which helps to develop their communication skills. Children thoroughly enjoy listening to music and exploring the different sounds of their musical instruments. They have lots of opportunities to develop their creative skills as there is a wide range of art and craft activities available. For example, children enjoy making musical shakers, and have great fun potato printing with brightly coloured glitter paints. Children engage in activities that require them to notice shape and sizes as they play with the shape sorter. Visits to the local toddler groups ensure children are involved in the community and help to develop their

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles through the childminder promoting healthy eating and providing regular fresh air and exercise. Daily opportunities to go for walks or play in the garden enable children to develop their physical skills and body control. The childminder provides children with healthy and nutritious home cooked foods. They tuck into fresh fruit and raisins for snacks, and fresh water or juice is available throughout the day. There are good levels of hygiene throughout the home and the childminder talks to children about the importance of washing hands. Children learn about aspects of their own safety, which promote a strong feeling of staying safe. For example, they know what is expected if they must leave the home in an emergency, as they are involved in regular practices of the emergency escape plan. Adult-led projects about fire, and visits to the fire station enhance children's understanding and safety. Children form

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and outcomes for children

strong and lovely relationships with the childminder and each other. Their growing confidence is supported because the childminder praises them when they achieve the challenges they set themselves as well as when they share resources or play well together. The childminder manages children's behaviour appropriately, providing a good role model for politeness and consideration of others. Children learn to value differences and diversity through the childminder ensuring everyone learns to value each other as an individual and for them to view differences and diversity in a positive manner. A range of positive images in books and small world figures reinforce cultural and physical diversity. 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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