Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY397677 Inspection date 19/03/2010 Inspector Maureen Croxford

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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 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.

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

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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

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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 was registered in 2009. She lives with her husband and three children a residential area of Guildford, Surrey. Local shops, schools and parks are within walking distance. The downstairs of the home is used for childminding activities, with bathroom facilities on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a cat as a pet.

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Description of the childminding

This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. There is one child currently on roll who is in the early years age range. The childminder has a level 3 qualification in early years practice.

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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 has developed her knowledge of childcare and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage since registration. This helps to improve the quality of service she provides for children. She makes observations of the children's progress, although this information is not always used to help plan for the children's next stage of learning. The childminder evaluates her practice to ensure that she meets the requirements. However, some areas of the provision are unsafe for children to use. The childminder ensures that all children are welcomed and included in activities to ensure that her provision is of a satisfactory standard.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that all kitchen equipment and areas of the garden used by children are made safe (Arrangements for safeguarding children; also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 26/05/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems for identifying children's next steps for learning and use this information to plan for their progression 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 has developed a sound understanding of safeguarding procedures and has policies in place, which are shared with parents. She fully understands the procedures to be followed if any concerns about a child are identified. Risk assessments are carried out to ensure a safe and secure play and learning environment is in place for the children. However, the kitchen draw containing knives is not secure. Existing injuries and accidents are recorded and signed by parents.

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the early years provision

The lounge, dining room and conservatory are the main play areas used for minding and the childminder arranges the space available depending on the type of activities being offered. The childminder takes the children to the local park as the garden is not currently used by the children due to an uncovered pond. Children access the wide range of resources from the storage units in the conservatory, increasing their independence and decision making skills. The childminder rotates the resources, ensuring the children are fully interested and occupied during their time at the setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality and diversity well. Children learn about differences and each other's feelings, likes and dislikes through activities and discussion. The childminder spends time praising the children when they share and play well together, recognising their efforts and reinforcing the positive learning opportunities. The childminder has the necessary skills to communicate effectively with each child, and encourages all children to develop ways of communicating with one another.

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the early years provision

The childminder plans activities and experiences to help the children of all ages to reach their full potential. She understands their own personal interests, recognising the children as individuals with their own learning styles. She adapts the activities to ensure they meet the needs of the children, for example, when playing with the animals she extends their play by suggesting they make fences using the bricks.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the very positive relationships that have been developed between the childminder and their parents. Information is shared daily using daily diary, and verbally at arrival and collection time. The childminder makes sure she understands the children's home situation well and meets with parents and children in advance to make sure that they are comfortable in her care. Parents have access to their children's records at all times. They also have many opportunities to make written and verbal contributions about their children's progress, which involve them in their children's learning. The childminder is developing systems to share information with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure continuity of care, learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are relaxed and comfortable as they are cared for in a homely environment. They are making steady progress in the six areas of learning because the childminder offers a range of planned activities that are suitable for the age and stage of development of each child. The childminder is developing systems to enable her to make regular observations and evaluations of the children at play. However, this information is used to identify and plan the children's next stage of learning to ensure children make good progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children are involved in their learning and choosing of resources which helps them to develop independence and good self-esteem. They understand the house rules and the childminder acts as a positive role model, for example, thanking them for tidying away the toys. Children feel very safe and secure as the childminder interacts well with them, for example, making excellent eye contact as she talks to them. She sits on the sofa with them and reads some of their favourite stories, for example The Hungry Caterpillar. She joins in the activities and extends their learning through open-ended questions and the introduction of new vocabulary. Children are offered a wide choice of resources help to develop manipulative skills, such as tools, crayons and toys with buttons.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about how to keep themselves safe through discussions and routines. The childminder follows rigorous routines when changing nappies and ensures that all surfaces are hygienically cleaned to reduce the spread of infection. Children are learning about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. For example, the childminder talks to the children about the importance of washing their hands before eating their snack.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning to take turns, for example, sharing the rocking horse in the conservatory. They are well supported in their learning as the childminder makes good use of resources, local amenities, such as parent and toddler groups and her time, to plan stimulating and exciting learning opportunities within the home for children. 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 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

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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 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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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