Childminder in Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleOfsted inspection, 1 Dec 2009

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY379367 Inspection date 01/12/2009 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 2008. She lives with her husband and children aged 11, eight and four years, in Bournemouth. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is a bedroom for children that need to sleep. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a dog, rabbit and hamster.

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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 no more than four children under eight years, of these, not more than two may be in the early years age group. Currently there are a total of four children on roll, all are in the early years age range. 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

The childminder organises a variety of activities and provides daily routines to meet most of the required aspects for the general care and welfare of children. The childminder knows the children she looks after well and regular discussions with parents help to meet each child’s individual needs. The childminder's knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework is developing although there are some gaps in her knowledge. She lacks confidence in using her observations of children to judge their development in the EYFS, which means that children's progress is not clearly identified and planned for. The childminder reflects on her practice, which she seeks to improve through taking additional training, consequently, she shows capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop hand washing procedures to ensure children obtain a good understanding of healthy hygiene practices and how these contribute to good health  ensure rooms are maintained at a temperature which ensures the comfort of children  develop knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework  develop assessment systems in order to match the observations of children to the expectations of the learning goals and to identify learning priorities for each child  ensure that newly mobile children have appropriate resources to support their physical development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an adequate understanding of her role and responsibility with regards to safeguarding children. She demonstrates knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the correct procedures to follow, should she have any concerns about a child's welfare. Risk assessments demonstrate that the childminder checks the environment to reduce the risk of harm to children. For example, gates are positioned to deny children's access to the kitchen and the front door is secure. Children's safety is considered when visiting parks and children's centres as the childminder risk assesses all outings.

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the early years provision

Children move freely between the lounge and dining areas, confidently accessing resources in the well lit rooms. However, the temperature is not sufficiently maintained to ensure children's comfort when they have their nappies changed and their feet become cold as they play bare foot. Parents provide snacks and meals for children. The childminder talks to them about healthy eating and parents have responded positively by providing healthy foods such as fruit bars. However, there are no established routines before eating snacks and neither the childminder or children wash their hands before eating. Consequently, children's health is compromised.

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the early years provision

The childminder shares her written policies with parents during the admissions procedure and ensures all required parental consents are in place. A written complaints procedure is shared with parents and they are aware of how to contact Ofsted should they need to. Children's individual needs are discussed to ensure children are able to settle and feel comfortable in the childminder's care. The childminder discusses children's individual preferences, interests and dislikes with parents to allow her to meet children's needs from the start. However, no record of children's starting points is made to allow her to track the progress children make in their development. Daily diaries are used to inform parents of their child's day. They are invited into the childminder's home at the end of each day to discuss the activities that children have been involved in. The childminder seeks parents views on the provision and responds to their feedback. For example, when a parent

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the early years provision

requested that children were taken on visits to the local children's centre the childminder ensured this became part of the weekly routine. This has had a positive outcome as children have access to additional play resources and opportunities to socialise in large groups.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a homely, family-orientated environment, settling easily and interacting positively with the childminder. Young children are developing their communication and use language, gestures and facial expressions to communicate their needs. A one-year-old has recently mastered how to say dog, woof, duck, daddy, mummy and no. The childminder supports their emerging language by introducing new words through nursery rhymes and music. A 15-month-old shows This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 great curiosity as the inspector uses their computer at the inspection, the child presses the buttons, showing fascination as letters appear on screen. The childminder goes to the toy basket and gets the child the Dora the explorer computer. The child rushes over and becomes very excited as they tap the buttons which activates music.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder knows individual children's preferred activities and offers a 15- month-old their favourite 'Aqua draw' mat. The child shows confidence in handling the pen, stroking it on the sheet, giggling as they notice the marks they are leaving. A one-year-old child is fully included at the activity and the childminder supports them as they learn to manipulate the pen. The childminder introduces stencils for the children to draw round to extend the activity. However, these are not appropriate for the children's age and stage of development and children quickly loose interest.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from fresh air and exercise as they dance to music and visit parks. They access large equipment such as climbing frames and slides. The childminder is sensitive to individual children's needs and allows them to use the equipment in different ways. For example, one child is happy to sit on the swing and be pushed, and another child prefers to put a doll on the swing and push it. As babies start to become mobile, they pull themselves up on the settee and walk around the furniture. However, when they get to the end of the settee they drop to the floor and revert to crawling. The childminder has observed the child's increasing mobility. However, she has not provided the child with suitable resources to fully support their physical development and independence.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure with the childminder and move about freely in their designated areas of her home. They learn about personal safety, for example, by regularly practising emergency evacuations when the childminder blows a whistle. Young children receive lots of reassuring cuddles and kind words from the childminder that help them feel secure. For example, as the childminder changes nappies, she talks to the children, ensuing they do not become distressed.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well behaved. The childminder keeps the young children engaged in activities and busy. She notices when they start to become restless and introduces alternative play to hold their attention. Young children learn about boundaries through the childminder's effective use of change in the tone of her voice and saying 'No'. For example, a 15-month-old had a habit of opening and closing the lounge door, the childminder felt this compromised their safety and each time the child did this she said a firm 'No'. The childminder's consistent use of this strategy has had a positive result and changed the child's behaviour, they no longer attempt to play with the doors. 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 3 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 3 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: 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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