Childminder in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY396101 Inspection date 13/01/2010 Inspector Janet Armstrong

p.1

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.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since September 2009. She lives with her partner and two children, a son aged 10 and daughter aged seven years. They live in a two-bedroomed ground floor flat in Walkford, near Christchurch, Dorset. All areas of the home are used for childminding purposes, with an open plan living/dining room and kitchen, with rest and toilet facilities. There is a front garden available for outside play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children, three of whom may be in the early years age group. There are currently six children on roll, five of whom are in the early years age range and all attend on a part time basis. The childminder also cares for children over eight years of age. The childminder holds the Introduction to Childminding Practice certificate.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's individual care and learning needs are met very well due to the childminder's excellent partnership with parents and her pro-active approach to childminding, which ensures she provides a high quality service for children and their parents. The children are happy, settled and confident in the comfortable family home, with all their needs met positively by the childminder, who is warm, sensitive and caring in her approach. The childminder shows a very strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement through the secure and ongoing systems in place to ensure areas for improvement are identified, monitored and addressed.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop observation and assessment systems; so that the children's identified next steps in their learning are linked to the steps in the Early Years Foundation Stage, and the progress they are making towards these are recorded, to help focus planning and challenges to further promote their learning  refresh knowledge of child protection procedures to follow in the event of a safeguarding issue.

p.4

the early years provision

Children's safety is promoted well due to the positive practices followed by the childminder to keep her home free from potential hazards and the children safe This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 when on outings, through her risk assessments and positive levels of supervision. The childminder is clear on the different types and signs and symptoms of abuse, but she is not fully clear on the correct procedures to follow should she have a concern about a child in her care.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder makes very good use of her home, time and children's access to resources and play provision to meet their care needs and promote all areas of learning well. She provides a homely, welcoming, comfortable environment where good use is made of the available space to allow children to explore and engage in their activities safely. She dedicates her time and interaction to stimulate and develop the children's interest in their activities.

p.5

the early years provision

Inclusion, equality and diversity is promoted well. The childminder has a clear knowledge and effective procedures in place to ensure she is able to met all individual needs of each child and their family so that the children develop high levels of self-esteem and self-worth. She has resources to promote and raise children's awareness of the world they live in and is positive in her own approach so that children do not grow up with stereotypical views of difference.

p.5

the early years provision

There are excellent systems for working in partnership with parents that supports the practices parents follow at home. Highly effective communication, both verbally and documented means that both parties are well informed. The childminder is pro-active in seeking parents' views about her service and their wishes for their child's learning. She actively encourages sharing of information so both parties are well informed. This is supported by a three-way daily diary, used by the main carers in the young children's lives that enables each to work consistently together. Parents receive an informative welcome pack, that includes details about the childminder, her aims, written policies and procedures and comprehensive permissions. This means parents are able to make informed decisions about the service they use and gain reassurance from the detailed information they receive about their child whilst in her care.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder's driving ambition is very strong to improve and be the best she can for the benefit of the children and parents. Her personal development plan is effective in identifying areas to build on to ensure improvements are made and always looking forward. For example, whilst she has not attended any training since she has registered, she has identified courses to attend to improve her practices, such as safeguarding. She uses other methods, such as the internet and other professionals to share good practice and adapt her practices. For example, the introduction of the 'all about me' document that details important information about each child and what their parents know about them.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Young children respond well to the childminder's sensitive support, and her caring and considerate attitude. They are secure that their care needs and interests will be met with lots of cuddles, reassurance and enthusiasm. The childminder ensures that through her positive interaction, they are stimulated in their exploration and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their developmental needs promoted. For example, she sits on the floor with a baby with a large container full of plastic balls, rattles, soft woolly balls and fir cones. She encourages the child to explore the different textures and noises, offering sounds and gestures of encouragement. She laughs with the child, giving lots of visual and vocal support, as the child explores these in detail independently.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children have a positive introduction to leading healthy lifestyles and keeping safe. From an early age, they practise positive hand hygiene, eat well and get lots of opportunities for outdoor play, regardless of the weather. They learn the house rules and expectations for road safety to promote their safety.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Planning, observation and assessment systems are new. The childminder makes sure that each child is engaged in a range of activities that support their interests, for example, imaginative play and growing cress seeds. She records observations of the children at play, that are supported by photographs and evidence of their mark making skills. She links the observations to the six areas of learning. Her key steps for learning are in line with parents' wishes. The current systems are not fully successful in linking the children's next steps in their learning to those in the Early Years Foundation Stage and using the observations she makes to show the progress they are making towards these, to help focus her planning and challenges to further promote children's learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8