Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY282028 Inspection date 30/03/2010 Inspector Amanda Shedden

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 was first registered in 2005. She lives with her partner and two young children, who are in the early years age range, in Bishops Waltham, Hampshire. The ground floor is used for childminding with sleep and toilet facilities upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play and the family have cats as pets.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years. Of these, one child may be in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for one child in the early years age group on a part-time basis.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local parent/toddler group.

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 are being provided with a range of activities that are linked to their development, supporting their good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder is fully aware of their needs and uses this knowledge to ensure that all children are included and their needs met. The childminder assesses her practice and makes changes to enhance the provision for the benefit of the children.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 update knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children issues.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded effectively. Full written assessments are completed and reviewed to promote children's safety and to ensure a safe, secure play and learning environment, both inside and outside the home. The childminder has a sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse but is not up-to-date in the procedures to be followed. All adults in the home are fully vetted and all visitors are fully supervised. All necessary permissions are in place and all record keeping is kept to a good standard.

p.4

the early years provision

Displays of the children's work and commercial posters offer the children a warm, child-friendly environment to play in. They find their photograph on arrival and place it on the tree collage, giving the children a sense of belonging. Many of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 resources are available for the children to self-select; they are aware of what else is available and are comfortable in requesting them. The layout of the main room and garden encourage children to play outside if they wish. The childminder ensures that she has the resources readily available when offering a craft activity so the children do not have to wait for things to be prepared. This is a fully inclusive setting where all children are acknowledged as unique and their needs met as individuals through the knowledge and positive interaction of the childminder.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has self-evaluated her practice and has identified areas that could be improved that would benefit the children, for instance, to improve the storage of resources and to provide a blackboard outside for the children to draw on. She is meeting other childminders to improve the planning of activities to ensure that all elements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are met.

p.5

the early years provision

Partnership with parents and carers is positive. Each child has a daily diary and daily discussion takes place to ensure continuity of care. They are aware of the observations kept on their child and contribute to their next step, enabling learning to be continued at home. Parents are appreciative of the care their children receive from the childminder. At present, children do not attend any other settings, however, the childminder is fully aware of the communication required and has sought permission from the parents to discuss their child at other settings when the children start to attend elsewhere.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of child development, how children learn and how this links to the early learning goals. She makes plans to ensure that the children are offered a wide range of activities and resources and that all areas of the curriculum are included. The childminder offers the children activities that encourage their next steps, for example, they are encouraged to mark make through fun and interesting activities, such as making sun catchers which are displayed on the window, boosting their self-esteem.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children have warm relationships with the childminder and her family. They are offered a good balance of adult- and child-led experiences. They attend groups where they can further develop their social skills, encouraging their confidence as they mix with other children. At home, they self-select resources that interest them and the positive interaction from the childminder ensures they are learning through their play. The childminder asks them questions that encourage the children to contribute their own knowledge, for instance, naming the range of construction vehicles and identifying colours.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy undertaking a range of art and craft activities, this week linked to the Easter theme. They use coloured pens, paint, glue and tissue paper to make cards, baskets and decorate eggs. They are learning about the world around them, they observe the changes in the frogspawn; children discuss the next changes expected in the process, knowing that the little lumps of black will eventually turn This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 into frogs.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted by the childminder. All required documentation is in place and used to meet the welfare requirements of the children. Children are supported to become independent in their self-care skills, such as washing their hands at the appropriate times and drying their hands on their individual towels to minimise cross-infection. They are able to access drinks throughout the day and the childminder offers them a range of healthy options at snack and meal times.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children feel safe within the home; they are comfortable in choosing what they want to play with. They are given opportunities to learn how to use a knife and fork properly by being encouraged to cut their own food up. They practise the evacuation procedure, which is displayed to ensure that everyone in the home is fully aware of what to do if an evacuation was necessary.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's good behaviour is encouraged by the childminder who praises the children frequently, focusing on the positives of their behaviour. She has strategies in place according to the ages and stages of children being cared for. Children enjoy themselves, feel comfortable and secure at the childminder's, knowing that they will have a range of activities that will interest them and are looked after by someone who understands their needs. 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 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 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