Childminder in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY221760 Inspection date 19/11/2009 Inspector Maria Lumley

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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 to care for children since 2002. She lives with her husband and their children aged 21 months, four and nine years in Poole, within walking distance to the town centre. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a designated play room on the first floor and two bedrooms are used for children that need to sleep. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for to care for no more than four children under eight years, of these, not more than two may be in the early years age group. When an assistant is present, registration is for a total of 10 children under eight years, of these, not more than five may be in the early years age group. Currently there are a total of seven children on roll, two are in the early years age range. The family have a pet cat and dog which children have contact with. 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder's excellent knowledge of each child's individual needs ensures all aspects of the children's learning and welfare are promoted. Children are extremely safe and secure at all times and enjoy their play and learning, within an inclusive environment. The outstanding partnership with parents and local pre- school and school is a strength and significantly contributes to ensuring that the needs of all the children are met extremely well. As a result children are making rapid progress with their learning and development. The childminder's commitment to training ensures that she is up-to-date with current childcare practices, resulting in a very high standard of service provided. She constantly evaluates her practice ensuring continuous improvements and positive outcomes for children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue to develop consistency in use of vocabulay for shape and size.

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the early years provision

Children are extremely well protected from harm and neglect. The childminder has developed a comprehensive safeguarding policy which is shared with parents. She is confident with signs and symptoms of possible abuse and has a secure This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 knowledge of the procedures to follow to protect children. Detailed written risk assessments are in place for all areas of the home and garden and for a wide range of outings. These are regularly reviewed to ensure children are safe at all times. An extensive range of informative and detailed policies and procedures are effectively implemented and available to parents who sign to confirm they have read them. The childminder encourages excellent working practices with the parents who are welcomed into the home. Verbal feedback is given on a daily basis and detailed written information provided in a daily diary regarding children's

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the early years provision

activities and learning achievements. Written references from parents detail their gratitude for every aspect of care offered to their children and are extremely supportive of the childminder. Comments from parents include, '…she is an integral part of our children's lives, she is a thoroughly committed and hard working childminder' and '…she demonstrates an exemplary approach to caring for children'. The childminder ensures that excellent procedures are in place to involve parents in their child's initial assessment to ensure each child's individual play plans are tailored to their needs. The childminder has developed excellent links with the local school and pre-school that minded children attend. The reception class teacher reports '…she has always established and maintained excellent links with the school'. She meets both providers at cluster group meetings where good practice and planning is shared. The childminder talks to key workers and asks

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the early years provision

about current topics so that she can support children's learning within her own setting. For example, recently she supported 'India day', providing children with opportunities to make ragoli patterns on the outdoor paving, dressing up in traditional costumes and drawing Hindu patterns on their wrists.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and effectively promotes children's learning, welfare and development. She is committed to continued training and has attended numerous courses since the last inspection, for example, safeguarding, food hygiene and first aid. The childminder is extremely well organised and encouraged her two assistants to attend an EYFS awareness meeting run by the early years team to ensure good practices are used consistently at her setting. Several highly effective systems are used to evaluate the practice and the childminder has a commitment to strive for continued improvements. She belongs to The Dorset Quality Improvement Scheme and is in the process of becoming an accredited childminder. When areas for development are identified by herself, parents, children or staff from the Early Years team, the childminder immediately considers ways to improve

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the early years provision

and takes action. For example, outdoor lights have been fitted so that children can see clearly when leaving with their bikes and scooters in the dark. Also astro turf and lighting have been installed in the rear garden, making this a well used area regardless of the weather or time of day.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an extensive range of indoor and outdoor resources which captivate children's interests and support their learning and development. Toys and equipment are extremely well maintained and organised to ensure children can be independent and make choices. Resources that have hazardous pieces, such as Lego, are stored out of reach of younger children. The childminder has created an extremely welcoming, child orientated environment and excellent use is made of the garden which is used by children throughout the year. The childminder knows individual children extremely well and caters for individual This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 needs, personalities, likes and dislikes. For example, when children become anxious on arrival and are reluctant to part from their parents the childminder considers ways to ease this transition. She sites a bubble machine by the front

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the early years provision

door and activates this as children arrive and leave, this distraction has a positive outcome as children show signs of delight as bubbles drift through the air.

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and outcomes for children

Children's learning, development and welfare are promoted exceptionally well by the childminder enabling them to make very good progress towards the early learning goals. Children are happy and settled as they play in an extremely child- friendly atmosphere and welcoming environment. Children have an exceptionally well organised play space indoors which includes a dedicated playroom and music/quiet room. An abundance of children's art work, photographs and posters are displayed within the home along with individual named lockers creating a sense of belonging. The children enjoy many enticing activities, such as planting and growing an extensive range of vegetables including courgettes, cucumbers and pumpkins. Once fully grown, children take the produce home to share with their families. Whilst gardening the children visit the sensory garden and enjoy picking herb leaves, scrunching them in their hands and smelling the scent.

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and outcomes for children

Children spend considerable time in the outdoors, in the garden, parks and beaches where they enjoy fresh air and exercise which contributes to their good health. They show excellent control of their bodies as they climb on large play equipment. As they use the see-saw they ably shift their body weight back and forth to gain momentum. Children play cooperatively and share the resources, throwing and kicking balls to each other. From an early age children are encouraged to be independent and they help themselves to additional resources stored in outdoor storage boxes. Children know how to use the garden safely and take their time as they move up and down the steps, assisted by the childminder. On occasions they are reminded of rules, the childminder saying, 'We go up the steps and down the slide', children immediately respond and alter their behaviour. Children have an excellent awareness of road safety as this is practised daily as

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and outcomes for children

they walk to school and pre-school dressed in high visibility jackets. They learn to stop, look and listen before crossing. Young children wear reins which gives them some freedom whilst allowing the childminder to have full control of their movements to ensure safety. Children participate in monthly emergency evacuation procedures; the childminder triggers a fog machine to simulate poor visibility. Consequently, children are exceptionally well prepared should an emergency occur.

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and outcomes for children

Behaviour is exemplary. Older children have been involved in writing house rules which are displayed on the walls, this gives them ownership and a clear understanding of what is right and wrong. Rules include, 'We talk one at a time' and 'Take it in turns'. Younger children learn from their older peers and the childminder is an outstanding role model of kindness and consideration. Children are encouraged to make healthy choices when choosing snacks. A wide selection of fresh and dried fruit is offered and young children safely sit in high chairs to eat. Children learn about healthy routines from an early age and are encouraged to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 take responsibility for their self care skills. For example, toddlers stand on the step to reach the sink when they wash their hands; the posters are good visual prompts. They also attempt to undo zips and buttons on coats when they return

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and outcomes for children

Children have excellent planned opportunities to develop their maths skills as they have dedicated time with the assistant who previously worked as a maths teacher. Older children are supported with maths homework and younger children use pegs and beads to count and calculate more and less. However, there are missed opportunities for children to explore size and shape as they use peg puzzles. Children learn how to operate computers from an early age as they use one of the three laptops available to them. The childminder ensures that activities match children's abilities, providing older children with 'Mathletics' programmes and younger children with 'Kneebouncers' programmes. Toddlers develop electronic skills by programming 'Beebots' to travel round a map. Children show high levels of curiosity as they play. For example, on finding a spider in the garden they study it closely and count the legs. When an aeroplane

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and outcomes for children

flies overhead they look up in the sky and point, calling out 'Plane'.

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and outcomes for children

Parental involvement is encouraged and it is evident that the childminder has excellent relationships with all the parents. They are involved with the children's learning and development and the children's interest and starting points are discussed when minding commences. The childminder has detailed observations and evaluations of the children and effectively plans for their next steps. These are shared with the parents along with examples of the children's art work and photographs.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a fully inclusive environment where every child is unique, valued and respected. Children are congratulated and praised for their efforts and are clearly comfortable within the setting enjoying lots of cuddles with the childminder. The childminder understands that some children may require additional support and actively seeks information and advice to ensure they are fully involved in the activities provided. Children are beginning to have a very good understanding of diversity as the childminder provides many resources and opportunities to celebrate different cultures and 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 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 1

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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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