Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY391033 Inspection date 12/10/2009 Inspector Jacqueline Munden

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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 husband and child who is in full time education. They live in Pennington near Lymington in Hampshire in a bungalow.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. At present there are four children on roll in this age range. She also offers care to children over this age. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 welcomed into a warm, family environment where they are all valued and included and generally well safeguarded. Their welfare and learning are promoted successfully because the childminder quickly gets to know each child, enabling her to meet their individual needs. This is enhanced by the strong relationships the childminder establishes with parents and carers. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to improving her practice and is able to identify areas which need developing further.

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further?

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

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further?

 make the garden water feature inaccessible  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips  further develop children's access to the resources that promote positive images of those with disability, race and different cultures to increase their knowledge and understanding of the wider world.

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the early years provision

The good organisation of the childminder ensures that children are well safeguarded; the childminder has an effective child protection procedure in place which she would implement should she have concerns of possible child abuse. She generally assesses risks appropriately and ensures children are safe both in and outside the home through close supervision and effective procedures. For example, children wear reflective arm bands when out walking. She responds quickly to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 incidents that pose a risk such as calling out pest control to remove a wasp nest. However, the garden water feature is accessible and records of risk assessments for outings are not maintained. All other required documentation is in place ensuring children's health and welfare are ensured. Children benefit from an attractive and accessible environment. Rhymes and songs play in the background

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the early years provision

and they can hang coats on low level hooks. In general, a wide range of play equipment is easily accessible allowing children to make choices and develop independence. However, some resources, such as books that would help children learn even more about the wider world are not freely available.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops good relationships with parents and carers from the outset; they benefit from the well written parent pack that informs them of her policies and procedures. These reflect the childminder's care and concern for children, her commitment to working with others and underpin her good practice. For example, she explains the importance of establishing good drop off and collection procedures as this can be an 'emotional and stressful time for children'. The childminder continues to meet children's individual needs by sharing information about their day and achievements with parents and carers through the use of daily diaries and discussion. Carers report they notice a positive affect on children's behaviour and attitude. The childminder has developed links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage, (EYFS) that children attend which enhances children's learning and development. The childminder has a positive

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the early years provision

attitude to promoting equality and ensures children with additional needs are supported effectively and sympathetically.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a wish to drive for improvement through the use of self-evaluation. She is keen to meet the requirements of the EYFS and to improve her knowledge and skills. For example, she has attended training in food safety. She has made changes to her provision which has improved the outcomes for children. For example, she has obtained storage units for play equipment, making it more easily accessible to children. She has made picture labels for containers to assist in finding toys and packing them away. She made a simple but effective change in order to support parent's wishes regarding foods and routines. This was done by re-naming snack time as fruit time to ensure the required fruit is consumed each day. She has identified areas she wishes to continue to develop including the recording of children's development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the care of the childminder. In a short time children build a close bond with the childminder who is always on hand to offer sensitive support. Four year olds spontaneously cuddle the childminder during their play which is met with kind words of encouragement, giving them a good sense of belonging. They chat freely and confidently with her and visitors, proudly showing their art work and writing. The childminder consistently talks to the children about what they are doing and offering them choices. She uses explanation effectively, at their level to encourage good behaviour and develop their understanding. For This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 example, she explains it's not fruit time yet and asks, 'at what time do we have fruit?' She knows the children well and promotes their learning in a natural and challenging way building on their current knowledge, skills and interests. For

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and outcomes for children

example, four year olds are using numbers well and can count to 17. The childminder provides resources and activities to encourage counting backwards from ten to zero; they play games that help them to calculate in two's and learn their own telephone number. Children's differences are considered and valued as those showing a preference for using their left hand for writing are provided with appropriate resources. The childminder encourages children's good manners and helps them learn to respect others. They are beginning to learn about all people in society but this can be increased if the resources already in the home are made more freely accessible. Children learn skills to help them in the future throughout their time with the childminder. All children, including those of school age benefit from the well equipped garden to develop physical skills such as climbing, they particularly enjoy using the trampoline.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes observations about what the children can do which are recorded in their individual development folders, and she plans how to help them make progress. The childminder promotes a healthy lifestyle. Children enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise each day. They learn about keeping healthy as the childminder talks to them about washing germs off their hands; she has made a sign to remind them to wash their hands after using the toilet and hangs individual towels at a height they can reach independently. Children's health requirements are met as the childminder has details of their conditions and the treatment they may require. Children feel safe and secure because of the safe and homely environment the childminder provides. For example, they practise the fire drill and learn to keep safe when out walking and crossing the road. 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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