Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY385148 Inspection date 02/12/2009 Inspector Anne Gunston

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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 registered in 2009 and lives with her partner and two children aged seven and three in a house in a residential area of Horsham, West Sussex. The home is close to shops, parks, schools, pre-schools and public transport links. The childminder's home is accessible and children use all areas for play. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play. The family have no pets.

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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 to care for a total of four children, of whom two may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for two children in the early years age group on a part-time basis. She attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis and 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

The childminder understands the importance of monitoring and evaluating the service she provides and recognises that she can sustain continual improvement by further training to improve the outcomes for children in future. She has generally good knowledge of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and realises that it is essential to work in partnership with everyone involved in a child's life. Her relationships with children's parents are effective and give her insight into each child's unique character, enabling her to meet their individual needs well. Children are very settled and happy in the childminder's care.

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further?

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

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further?

 increase opportunities for children to establish and understand the need for good hygiene routines such as hand washing before meals  develop ways of increasing links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage so that children benefit from a collaborative approach to their learning and development  develop further opportunities for children to learn about and respect the cultures and beliefs of other people.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good knowledge of her role to safeguard and protect children in her care. She has clear understanding of child protection procedures and she makes parents aware of her responsibility by sharing all policies with them from the outset. The childminder keeps good records, which support her in keeping This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children safe. For example, she keeps records of her assessment of potential hazards in the home and outdoor environment and regularly reviews these to ensure no risks are missed. She puts safety measures into place, such as storing her recycling bins out of reach of children. The children regularly practise evacuation from the home and the childminder records these events to ensure that no child misses this experience. She checks all fire prevention equipment on a monthly basis and maintains a very safe, secure home environment.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an accurate understanding of the strengths of her provision and realises that she is skilled at enabling children to relax and have fun. She believes that children should experience a homely environment where they are confident and self-assured, so is not afraid to allow them to move furniture and resources so long as safety is not compromised and all children are included. The childminder recognises the need to improve the quality of children's records of achievement by including photographs of them at play, so parents have increased knowledge of how children are spending their time. She believes that she should always plan activities for the children and is currently organising wide-ranging experiences and opportunities so children are continually interested and challenged. The childminder recognises that the activities she organises should not take priority; she always allows children to make their own decisions but has

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the early years provision

something in mind to ensure children are never bored. Children have easy access to a broad range of toys and games and the childminder organises her own time well to ensure that children receive equal amounts of her attention.

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the early years provision

The childminder recognises the value of close co-operation between everyone involved with a child. Although she establishes good relationships with parents she has not yet considered how to do so with other settings children attend, to ensure a three-way exchange of information, which promotes children's all-round development. The childminder provides parents with comprehensive information in written format. She asks parents to sign to say they agree with her policies, encouraging them to discuss these and share their views. She completes a daily record book and passes this to parents to ask for their contributions. Parents state that they value the childminder's welcoming personality, which has helped children to immediately feel at home. They comment that the childminder has given them a great deal of support in managing the transition of children from home to mainstream school; they value the wide range of activities she provides which

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the early years provision

means that children are eager to attend.

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and outcomes for children

Children clearly feel comfortable in the childminder's care and are completely involved from the moment they arrive. They make themselves at home in the house and happily engage adults in conversation; they are confident communicators who ably explain what they wish to do. The childminder enables children by giving them language to express themselves correctly. As a result, children often chatter away to each other, especially when they sit together at mealtimes. They quickly make good friendships. The childminder also recognises children's love of 'silly' conversations and goes along with these, so children feel This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 valued. Children engage in pretend play, giving objects the wrong name just for fun. The fun continues in games, for example, when the childminder pretends to be a crocodile. Children are clearly very familiar with this favourite activity and

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and outcomes for children

relish pushing the sofas together to create a boat, so they are out of reach of the childminder's 'snapping' arms. The childminder allows children a great deal of freedom but always reminds them to think about their own safety and others as they play.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has good knowledge of each child's level of development and recognises how children prefer to spend their time. She has secure knowledge of how young children learn, and takes up all opportunities to encourage this. For example, she questions children who notice a rope and wonders what else it could be called; children recall it could be a lasso. Children soon have the confidence to make suggestions, such as counting the pieces of train track as they pick them up; they are motivated and keen to learn. Children show high levels of concentration because the childminder recognises what is important to each child. She makes sure they have the opportunity to finish an activity to their satisfaction without distraction from others.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn the importance of eating a balanced diet and the childminder always expects them to eat a savoury item from their lunch box before a sweet. She is registered with the local authority environmental health department as a food provider and maintains good standards of hygiene in the home. Children have use of the first floor bathroom and toilet facilities where they use individual hand towels to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder uses informative posters in the bathroom to remind children about the importance of washing hands thoroughly. However, she does not always remind children to go upstairs to wash hands before snacks or meals to reinforce good hygiene habits. Children enjoy a good range of activities to promote their physical skills; the childminder takes them to 'Jungle Fun' at leisure centre regularly and encourages children to play outdoors on a daily basis. Whenever possible, children walk to the school, taking a route

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and outcomes for children

chosen because it is safe and avoids the main busy roads. The childminder uses these occasions to make children aware of dangers and prepare them for crossing roads safely.

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and outcomes for children

Children show a great deal of respect for the childminder and her home because she expects this of them. They happily comply with her boundaries and rules, such as packing away toys and sitting to the table for meals. Children are learning to co- operate with others as they play, the childminder is calm but firm and uses humour to gain children's attention. For example, if children are unwilling to share pencils equally she asks 'how many can you use in one go'. Children always receive explanations for why their behaviour is unacceptable. The childminder and parents work well together on issues relating to behaviour to ensure children hear consistent messages. Children are learning valuable skills, which prepare them for the future. The childminder demonstrates confidence in her ability to allow children to experience situations that challenge them, so they become independent. She supports children in discussing their feelings, for example, over the loss of a family

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and outcomes for children

pet. She ensures that children have access to a range of resources reflecting other cultures, such as dressing-up clothes and books, but as yet has not organised any other activities to raise children's awareness of 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 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 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 3 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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