Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY392391 Inspection date 13/10/2009 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 was registered in 2009. She lives with her husband and four children, one of which is aged under five years, in Lymington, Hampshire. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a garden available for outside play. The family has a cat and a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for no more than five children under eight years of age, of whom two may be in the early years age range at any one time. She is currently minding two early years children on a part-time basis.

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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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are very happy and settled with the thoughtful childminder who has a sound understanding of their individual needs; she forms suitable links with parents and carers to enable this. Most aspects of children's safety, welfare and learning are successfully promoted. However, weaknesses in the childminder's understanding of the necessary documentation requirements are having an impact on the quality of the provision. The childminder is becoming self-aware, identifying some priorities for development but is yet to act upon them all to bring about the improvements needed.

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further?

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

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further?

 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment for all children (Safeguarding and welfare) 15/10/2009

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further?

 improve the record or risk assessment so that it includes all information on how risks are managed, who conducted it, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident and include any assessments of risks for outings and trips (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to the both parts of the Childcare Register) 13/11/2009

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further?

 display the registration certificate. (Documentation) (also applies to the both parts of the Childcare Register) 15/10/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 use the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance to assist in observing, assessing and monitoring children's progress against the developmental matters leading to the Early Learning Goals to enhance children's learning and invite parents involvement  improve children's safety by making the garden secure and wall mounting the fire blanket as instructed by the manufacturers  improve your knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the EYFS and the practice guidance using it to evaluate all aspects of your provision to ensure they are fully promoted and inform parents of your policies and procedures

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the early years provision

The childminder has a suitable understanding of the safeguarding children procedure; she has information of who to contact should she have a concern. A safe collection procedure is used to ensure only known adults can collect children. The childminder ensures children are always safe as she supervises them very closely at all times, both in the house and the garden, which is appropriate for the age of children she is caring for at present. A risk assessment has been conducted and recorded for the premises and for an outing, but it does not identify the full extent of possible hazards, the steps taken to minimise them or how children are protected. The emergency evacuation procedure is yet to be practised and the fire blanket is not fitted ready use.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality and diversity as she ensures children's individual routines for meal and sleep times are met as preferred by parents. The indoor learning environment is laid out well to ensure children have plenty of choice and can play safely. They can easily select and put back play resources which develops independence. The childminder ensures all children can take part by providing suitable resources both in and outdoors. These include large, easy grip paint pens and a wide range of robust physical play equipment; some suitable for very young children and large challenging equipment for older children. She provides suitable learning and development experiences for children and successfully identifies some areas for improvement in this aspect of her work. For example, she is in the process of making an additional area available for messy, creative play and she plans to devise a system to record and assess children's

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the early years provision

developmental progress to share with parents. The childminder identifies some weaknesses in her provision including her record keeping and her knowledge of the welfare requirements and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). However, she lacks confidence and the knowledge to take the appropriate action to implement improvements where most needed. She sometimes relies upon others to seek the information she needs and to carry out risk assessments, which means she is not developing her own skills in these areas. Most required information is sought from parents to ensure children are cared for appropriately. Although parents seldom enter the setting as children are quickly dropped off or collected from their own home, the childminder talks daily to parents and carers and uses a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 'contact book' to communicate further with some about their children's needs,

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the early years provision

achievements and progress. However, written parental consent is not obtained for all children to seek emergency medical treatment and the registration certificate is not displayed as required by regulation. Parents are yet to be informed of the childminder's responsibilities, policies and procedures that are in the process of being developed, including those for child protection and complaints.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder, who devotes her time to being with those in her care; she relates to them in a warm and fostering manner. The childminder observes stages children have reached and is able to say how she is moving them onto the next stage in some areas of their learning. However, these observations are not linked to the areas of learning or to stages of development in the EYFS practice guidance to maximise children's progress. At present, there is no system to monitor children's progress and invite parents to contribute to their children's development records, although the childminder does plan to introduce this as she feels it will improve the outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are actively involved in their play; those under two years of age demonstrate a good level of concentration and interest. For example, they enjoy looking at books, turn pages and point to pictures saying the name of what they see. Children's language is developed through constant chatter and as the childminder asks them questions. They learn about numbers and counting in everyday situations as they count the steps as they go upstairs and the horses in the field when out walking in the local environment. They find out about shapes and colours as they use shape sorters and develop mark making skills as they use various creative materials. Children particularly like to use the wide range of role play equipment, including some that promote diversity. There are ample resources to ensure all children can take part; dolls and pushchairs for instance. The childminder makes sure all children are included by encouraging them to try new

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and outcomes for children

experiences. For example, over a period of time those that don't like messy play are encouraged to use finger paints and then progress to covering their hands in paint to make hand prints. Children develop confidence as they have many opportunities to make choices about when to eat and what to play with. One year old children are supported well as they use a varied range of equipment that helps them develop large muscles and skills for walking, including push-along toys.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and they benefit from the close relationship built as they are held when being bottle fed and settled to sleep. They have some opportunities to learn about keeping safe as they learn to use the stairs safely and press the button at the level crossing when out walking. Children feel secure in the consistent and caring environment; they respond positively to the childminder's good role modelling and repeat 'thank you' when offered food. Children are well encouraged to have a healthy lifestyle; they are offered drinks regularly and enjoy nutritious snacks and meals. They enjoy many opportunities to engage in physical play, both in and outdoors, as the childminder recognises the importance of keeping fit and having plenty of fresh air. Children enjoy using an indoor slide as well as wheeled This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 toys and the trampoline outdoors. The childminder operates a good nappy

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and outcomes for children

changing procedure to minimise cross-infection, but not all children are protected in an emergency because the necessary parental consent has not been obtained for all children. 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 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 2 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 the early years section of the report (Suitability of premises and equipment) 13/11/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Certificate of registration) 15/10/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 devise a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints (Documentation) 13/11/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 devise a written statement of procedures to be followed to safeguard children from abuse or neglect (Documentation) 13/11/2009

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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 the early years section of the report (Suitability of premises and equipment) 13/11/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Certificate of registration) 15/10/2009

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