Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY400791 Inspection date 10/03/2010 Inspector Alison Jane Kaplonek

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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 to care for children since 2009. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and three children in a house in the Fair oak area of Hampshire which is close to local schools and shops. All areas of the property are used for childminding and access to the premises is good. Toilet facilities are on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for four children from birth to eight years. Two of these may be in the early years age group. There are currently two children on roll who attend part time. Both of these children are in the early years age group.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder has a relevant childcare qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming, family environment where their welfare and learning needs are generally well met. The childminder ensures that children are able to access a range of resources and interesting activities which cover all areas of learning, and are regularly taken out to local amenities. She has a positive attitude to improving her practice and is able to identify areas which need developing, such as equality and diversity and the planning of activities. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure that children's wellbeing is assured.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 further develop the assessment and planning systems to ensure the next steps for children's learning are clearly identified and linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework  ensure that activities are age appropriate for all children and use mathematical terms during play and daily routines  increase the range of positive images available to help children embrace differences in gender, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, special educational needs and disabilities  ensure that the safeguarding policy includes how to contact the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) should a referral need to be made. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

A satisfactory range of policies and procedures ensures that all aspects of children’s welfare and learning are satisfactorily met. These are shared with parents, and contracts and children's information forms accurately completed. The childminder has started to informally evaluate her practice and has successfully identified some areas which need further development. Daily routines ensure that children have a range of interesting play opportunities, including interacting with other children outside the home. The childminder speaks to parents about children's interests and abilities and is beginning to use this information to plan her range of activities.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is suitably vetted and ensures that children are safeguarded and always supervised by an appropriate adult. She has safeguarding and complaints policies in place although the safeguarding policy does not include how to contact the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) should a referral need to be made. The childminder has completed initial child protection training and is booked to attend the advanced session in the coming months. She welcomes all children into her care and works closely with parents to meet their individual needs. She has attended an initial training course for newly registered childminders and has a current first aid certificate. Parents are provided with a good range of information about the setting and liaise closely with the childminder about the welfare and developmental needs of their children. They state that they are pleased with the quality of the care provided for their children.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Younger children make sufficient progress in all areas of learning and development. They enjoy a satisfactory range of planned activities, both in the home and at local amenities. They regularly attend toddler groups where they enjoy a variety of interesting activities and engage with other children. Children have easy access to resources and help themselves to baby toys, books, cars and role-play equipment. Babies are encouraged to develop their physical skills as they learn to crawl or pull up onto their feet with assistance from the childminder. Older children learn to use play equipment in the garden and local parks. Children take part in planned activities such as making Mother's Day cards or drawing and enjoy role-play opportunities as they pretend to post their cards at the post office. However, some activities, such as colouring in pre-drawn sheets are not always appropriate for the age and stage of the children who attend. Most areas of

p.5

and outcomes for children

learning are covered, as children engage in the range of activities provided, although there is limited use of mathematical terms during play and daily routines.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder is beginning to make observations and assessments of children’s progress and building up scrap books of children's work and photographs for parents to see. She is aware that the assessment and planning systems require further development to ensure the next steps for children's learning are clearly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 identified and linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. She has accessed information from the internet, purchased books and devised her own recording and planning sheets to help her to achieve this.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder talks to parents about their children's interests, likes and dislikes and any particular needs, when their children first start. Parents complete contracts and sign a wide range of agreements such as permission for the childminder to seek emergency treatment or advice, to take children in the car or to take photographs. Parents are kept very well informed of their children’s daily routines through the use of daily diaries and verbal feedback when children are collected.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children play and learn in a safe and secure environment, where they are protected by the use of a range of equipment, such as stair gates and cupboard locks. Thorough risk assessments are carried out and recorded. Smoke alarms and a fire blanket are in place and the childminder intends to carry out fire drills with the children when they are more settled. Healthy meals and snacks are provided in accordance with the parents wishes and drinks are offered frequently and are easily available. Young children are protected from the spread of infection as the childminder wipes their hands and ensures that they have their own hand towels. All children are welcomed into the setting and learn to share, take turns and to value each other. Younger children are often praised, are secure and settled and developing a sense of belonging. However, there is a limited range of positive images available to help children embrace differences in gender, ethnicity,

p.6

and outcomes for children

language, religion, culture, special educational needs and disabilities. 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 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

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 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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