Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY274736 Inspection date 11/03/2010 Inspector Lilyanne Taylor

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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 has been a registered since 2003. She lives with her partner and school age daughter in a detached house which is situated in a residential area of Fareham Hampshire. The whole house is registered for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The premises are within walking distance to schools, parks and shops. The family keep a cat as a pet. The childminder is able to take and collect children from school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. Her operational hours are Monday to Friday from 6am to 6pm all year round.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time; of these, three may be in the early years age range. Currently, the childminder has four children on roll; all of whom are in the early years age group and one attends full time. Care is also able to be provided for children aged over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the Hampshire Cluster Childminding Network. She is also an accredited member of the National Childminding Association Children Come First Childminding Network and as such is eligible to accept children who receive early education funding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

All children's individual needs are met through the close partnership working the childminder has established with parents and other Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) providers. Planned activities and the learning environment recognises the uniqueness of each child and ensures no child is disadvantaged. As a result, all children make good progress towards the early learning goals given their starting points. Children's welfare is a priority and procedures for maintaining children's safety are effective. Most records are completed in sufficient detail. The childminder is fully committed to her ongoing professional development; training she has completed has enabled her to embrace the EYFS and implement this effectively in her practice. She has also met the necessary criteria in order to become an accredited childminder. As a result, the outcomes for all children are positive through the provision she provides.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain a record of all pre-existing injuries children may come in with  continue developing the records of children's progress so it is clear to see what the current intentions are for moving them on in their next steps of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning.

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the early years provision

All children are fully safeguarded; the childminder has recently attended an advanced child protection course and has sound knowledge and understanding of how to ensure children's well-being is protected and the procedures she should follow if abuse of a child were suspected. She has a comprehensive written policy in place which supports her practice and this is shared with parents. Although the childminder finds out the reasons for injuries children may come into her care with, she does not maintain records to support this. All adults living in the house have had their suitability to be around children confirmed. Children are under the direct supervision of the childminder at all times. In the event of her absence due to an emergency situation arrangements in place ensure children are only cared for by adults who are suitable. All required documentation is in place and well organised for ease of access should the need arise.

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the early years provision

Effective risk assessments are in place for the home and outings children are taken on. These are regularly reviewed and updated to show the action the childminder has taken following an incident. For example, a review of the use of a trampoline in the rear garden has resulted in only one child at a time being allowed to use it.

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the early years provision

The childminder is fully committed to the ongoing development of the provision she provides, and the knowledge she gains from the training she attends is used well to enhance her practice. She has a full understanding of how children learn and develop and provides a range of well thought out activities, resources and equipment which supports children's learning and development in all areas. The learning environment is bright and airy, and children have access to a good range of resources which are organised low level thus enabling them to independently select. The childminder self-evaluates and is able to identify her strengths and areas she wishes to further develop. Her addressing of previous recommendations has ensured all policies she works to are now reflected in practice and children's safety fully promoted.

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the early years provision

Prior to children commencing at the setting the childminder carries out a visit to their home; this enables children to see her in their own surroundings prior to them being cared for at her home. During children's settling in periods parents receive a wealth of information which ensures they are aware of the care and education they can expect their children to receive. After this period information about their children's ongoing welfare, learning and development continues to be shared on a daily basis. This means children's individual needs are known and fully supported. Parents comment that the childminder is flexible to accommodate their working needs, enthusiastic, professional and that their children have fun. The effective systems in place for liaising with other EYFS providers ensure all children's individual needs are known and their learning and development is continuously supported. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder who clearly loves her job. Every opportunity is used as a learning opportunity both indoors and outdoors and children learn and develop in a play based environment. Activities are differentiated to ensure all children can participate, thus ensuring they gain the most learning and enjoyment from them.

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and outcomes for children

Children respond well to the clear boundaries in place; they are learning to share toys and resources and to gain an understanding of the effect their behaviour can have on others.

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and outcomes for children

Children persist for extended periods of time in activities of interest to them. For example, in response to music playing in the back ground children dance around the floor, they then get a musical instrument from the box and play this while dancing. When the childminder joins in they copy her dance movements and sing along to the nursery rhymes being played.

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and outcomes for children

Younger children explore their surroundings with great interest and are becoming active and inquisitive learners. They are beginning to recognise colours and their verbal language is developing well through the effective interaction of the childminder. Children enjoy sitting with the childminder to look at books and show they have a good relationship with the childminder by snuggling up to her when they are tired. The childminder's constant celebration and praise in recognition of children's achievements and efforts raises their confidence and self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes full use of information gained from parents at the start of children's attendance; information she gains is used alongside her own observations to provide for children's next steps of learning which are incorporated into her future plans. Children's records of progress are shared with parents on a regular basis. However, these are still in the process of being developed and because the next steps of learning are not marked to show when children have achieved them it is not clear to see what their current next steps are.

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and outcomes for children

Children are becoming aware of good hygiene routines; they wash their hands prior to eating and after using the bathroom, younger children have their hands wiped by the childminder. Meal times are a social occasion with the children all seated together. They are provided with a range of nutritious snacks and the childminder cooks their main meals from scratch using fresh ingredients.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy regular physical times indoors and outdoors and they regularly attend local toddler groups. This provides them with the experience and opportunity to learn how to socialise with other children and adults in larger spaces, which will be of benefit to them when they leave the childminder's care to commence formal 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 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

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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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

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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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