Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY398225 Inspection date 26/01/2010 Inspector Kim Mundy

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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 and she lives in Ruislip in the London Borough of Hillingdon. The ground floor of the house and first floor bedroom and toilet facilities are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder drives/walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and is a member of a local childminder support group. The childminder has a wide variety of animals as pets. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children in the early years age range at any one time. She currently caring for six children in this age range, all of whom attend different sessions. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

This highly dedicated childminder celebrates an outstanding outcome. She is very well informed about children's individual needs through excellent partnerships with parents and others, and as a result, is able to meet children's specific care and developmental needs extremely well. Children have a wonderful time because the childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of how they learn and develop whilst having fun. They are very safe at all times and their health is well promoted. Highly effective systems for self-evaluation lead to continuous improvement in the childminder's service.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 further develop outdoor play opportunities.

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the early years provision

The children are having a fabulous time due to the excellent organisational skills of the childminder who ensures high standards are maintained throughout her childminding service. She is extremely vigilant in ensuring the safeguarding of children and recognises the need to inform and work with relevant agencies. In addition, visitors to the premises are required to log in and out. Risk assessments are carried out for the premises and outings. They learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, by practising regular fire drills. As a result, children are cared for in a very safe and secure environment. The childminder has a brilliant range of toys and resources and uses the space available well. Children are cared for in a well organised environment, which is set out to encourage them to independently take part in all the activities and have a wonderful time learning through play. 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 her own secure ways of monitoring her service to maintain continuous improvement. For example, although children's outdoor play experiences are currently fantastic, the childminder is keen to extend this even further by developing the vegetable patch for the children. Parents and children's views are very much valued and respected by the childminder. Questionnaires and letters show that parents are very happy with the childminding service provided and hold the childminder in high regard. Parents comments include 'I believe that any child who has you as a childminder is truly lucky and blessed; you do it out of genuine love and enjoyment you derive from your charges and vice versa'. Furthermore, the childminder has maintained and extended this outstanding service to benefit the children since her last inspection.

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the early years provision

The provision for promoting inclusive practice is outstanding. The childminder has devised and implemented a pictorial laminated book of her play activities, which enables children to indicate what they would like to play with. As a result, they are being involved in their own learning. The childminder uses her understanding of children as individuals to ensure that all children make progress, including those who use English as an additional language or who have additional needs. In addition, this experienced childminder works with other agencies and carries out any necessary individual care for children, such as therapy exercises.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are excellent. There are many ways in which parents are informed about the service: newsletters; e-mails; notice boards; verbal and written daily contact. A wealth of relevant information about the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is available to parents and they are given a photo CD of their child taking part in different activities. Children's individual learning files are always available for parents to view when they wish so they are fully aware of all aspects about their children's developmental progress. A picture slide show of children involved in exciting activities is displayed on the digital photo frame for parents to see at the end of the day. There is a wide range of comprehensive policies and procedures in place, which are shared with parents and successfully underpin the excellent running of this childminding service.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being is fully promoted. Well established routines and procedures maintain excellent standards of hygiene. Children know that clean hands are needed to eat snacks and meals, and they sing their song about washing away the germs down the drain. Children are encouraged to develop their independence skills at all times, for instance, when pouring their own drinks. They sit comfortably to eat together at sociable snack and meal times when they are offered a nutritious selection of vegetarian foods. The childminder also takes this opportunity to teach good manners and encourage discussions. She has a current first aid certificate to manage any accidents and she has kept up-to-date in relation to food hygiene. Children are very well-behaved; they discuss and follow the golden rules and enjoy consistent praise and encouragement from the childminder for the smallest of achievements. Children show kindness and consideration

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 towards others, for instance, before they move their chairs back from the dining table, they check that the childminder's dogs are not in the way.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides wet suits for outdoor play. Children are encouraged to be very active and understand the benefits of physical activity; they run, climb, balance and slide on a variety of equipment in the garden and at the park. They find their child-size garden tools hanging up on their labelled hooks at a reachable height on the door of the shed and love to dig and plant bulbs. Children explore snow, ice and water in their garden water tray with Arctic and Antarctic animals. They spend time exploring and investigating outdoors as they observe and listen out for birds, such as woodpeckers. They adore 'Pat-a-pet' time and help to look after the wide range of pets that they have become very fond of, for example, washing the African snails and walking the dogs in local fields.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder clearly understands that children learn best through fun activities and provides many first-hand experiences. She has an extremely thorough knowledge and understanding of the EYFS and how to implement this very effectively to benefit the children. Personalised planning, and observations for each child are significantly linked to the appropriate six areas of learning. These are then used effectively to identify each child’s future learning needs. Consequently, they make excellent progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children have many wonderful opportunities to extend their own thoughts and ideas. The childminder is very skilled at asking questions that make children think for themselves and they learn thorough discussing their ideas. For example, during a water play activity they decide to put on their arm bands to go swimming and they have great fun splashing around. Children are practising their early writing skills in a variety of ways, for example, by using paint and crayons, and chalks outdoors. They make patterns with their fingers in rice and when playing skittles they record how many they knock down on laminated charts. When catching lettered ducks in the water tray, they recognise initial letters in their friends names. Children are encouraged to have a keen interest in books; the childminder uses puppets and props to capture their interest. This is especially beneficial for younger children and those with special educational needs and /or English as an

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and outcomes for children

additional language. Children are also encouraged to communicate effectively by using sign language, which helps to develop their understanding of both verbal and non-verbal communication. Children have an enormous sense of belonging. Photographs of children's families, activities and their art work are prominently displayed. In addition, they recognise their name on their coat peg, shoe shelf, table place mat and cup. Fitting puzzles together, posting shapes and weighing during cooking activities promotes children's problem-solving skills. Whilst filling the water tray, children estimate how many jugs of water they need to enable the ducks to float. They love placing balls down the perspex tube and giggle and laugh as they fall and roll everywhere when attempting one too many. The celebration of festivals, such as Chanukah and Chinese New Year successfully promotes children's appreciation and understanding of the many different cultures within the local

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and outcomes for children

community. Monty the monkey goes home with the children; he has his own diary and suitcase, and he wears glasses for watching television or reading. Due to this childminder's professionalism and on going commitment, the children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 introduced to very exciting, positive learning experiences, which prepare them extremely well for their future education. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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