Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY319007 Inspection date 15/03/2010 Inspector Carole Gronow

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 registered in 2006. She lives at Allbrook with her partner and two children, both of whom are under eight years of age. The property is within close proximity to the school, shops and parks. All areas of the property are registered for childminding; however, this takes place in the self-contained annexe and children access the main house to use the downstairs toilet. There is a secure, fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both parts of the Childcare Register and may care for a maximum of four children under eight at any one time of which two may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for two children under eight, one of whom is within the early years age range. The childminder also cares for two children who are over eight. All the children attend on a part-time basis.

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

The childminder provides in a welcoming, dedicated playroom in which children are very much at ease and she is committed to the ongoing improvement of the service she provides for children and their families. The childminder does undertake some self-evaluation to aid her with assessing her provision however; this is very limited and is not effective in helping her identify which areas to address. The good partnership there is with parents and carers makes sure that she caters for each child's specific needs appropriately. Because of the childminder’s limited knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), observations of children do not link to the areas of learning in a way that can measure children's progress.

p.4

further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.4

further?

 complete an appropriate paediatric first aid course by 31/03/2010 (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 31/03/2010

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 ensure knowledge of safeguarding children procedures is up to date by obtaining and referring to the publication 'What to do if you are worried about a child is being abused' summary  ensure risk assessments cover everything which a child may come into This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 contact with, with particular reference to the trampoline  increase knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage in order to ensure that relevant observations are made on children which clearly identify where they are on their learning journey. Use these to both measure, and identify any gaps in their progress, as well as to plan for their next steps  develop systems of self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will continue to improve the quality of the provision for all children.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues and her responsibility to protect children. She has written policies and adults in the household are suitably checked, however, she does not have a copy of the most recent guidance for reference. To make sure children are safe the childminder has undertaken risk assessments of the outings she goes on and of her home and garden however has not included the large netted trampoline. Children are further protected by the good security with gates being locked ensuring that they cannot leave the premises and no one can enter them unnoticed. Weak self-evaluation fails to identify priorities for development, such as maintaining a first aid certificate, which is a breach of regulation. However, the childminder does have a first aid kit and has previously attended training.

p.5

the early years provision

The playroom, a self-contained annexe, is light and brightly decorated. The childminder spends her day there with the children and there is a wide range of good quality resources. Some are on display and others are stored in easily accessible crates and from which children self-select, making free choices about what to play with. Toys are attractively presented, for example, a good range of dressing-up clothes are all neatly hung on a rail so children can easily see them. Posters decorate the walls, some at child height, such as about the house rules and about all children being valued, and others are higher up for the adults. Certificates are on display on the walls and parents and carers receive a wide range of relevant, detailed information and are given a folder of policies and procedures to read and sign. There are good settling-in procedures in place, which the childminder uses to obtain sufficient information for her to care for children

p.5

the early years provision

according to their individual needs. Children's records containing their personal information are well maintained and hold all the necessary information. Daily discussions take place about all children and the childminder provides a written record of the care needs of younger children.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has regular contact with the other early years setting that children attend in order to ensure there is consistency in what children are doing. Through this contact, she is aware of how children are as well as what they have been doing, talking with them about their day on the way home. For instance, at school, the children are learning about money and so the childminder has sheets of coins and notes, which she is laminating so that children can play with them, and she can talk with them about the different coins. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children arrive from school chattering away with each other and the childminder. They run straight out into the garden playing on the range of equipment which helps with the development of their large muscles, balance and coordination. They play games with each other in the garden and are keen to play the cotton reel one. Children help sort out five of six different colours and wait for the childminder to place them around the garden. The childminder considers where to place these so that all children can be included, for example, by placing ones low down as well as higher up. They race against each other to see who can find the most, lining them in rows and counting to see how many more they need to find, then working together to find the last ones. Children are aware of the rules and boundaries that the childminder has in place. For example, without any reminding, they take off their shoes each time they come indoors and place them in a plastic crate and they

p.6

and outcomes for children

independently put them on again when they go back out.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are developing good personal independence. Not only do they take their shoes on and off but they also put aprons on when they are doing a messy activity. The childminder reminds them about going to the toilet and she takes children who are reluctant to go to the cloakroom leaving them in privacy, but checking they have remembered to wash their hands. Visual reminders prompt them and the provision of liquid soap and paper towels help to reduce the risk of children becoming ill due to cross infection. Children are familiar with the playroom, confidently asking the childminder for things to play with. They enjoy activities such as sticking and gluing, decorating Easter cards to take home. Children are developing good pencil control and mark make for a purpose forming clearly defined shapes and letters as they write who the card is to and from. They proudly show their work to the childminder who praises them which boosts their

p.6

and outcomes for children

Through discussion, the childminder shows that she has a good knowledge of the children in her care. Using this knowledge, she provides activities for individual children that not only are they interested in but are suitable to their stage of learning and development. The childminder is aware of the Early Years Foundation Stage and acknowledges that she needs to develop a system to assess children effectively. She has undertaken some observations and linked them to the six areas of learning. However, she is not confident in identifying either which of the different aspects they relate to or where children are along their personal learning journey. The childminder is, therefore, unable to track children to ensure that they are making good progress. Neither can she see if there are gaps in their learning and development for which she needs to plan. 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 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being care for) 31/03/2010

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being care for) 31/03/2010

p.8