Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY401608 Inspection date 30/04/2010 Inspector Louise Bonney

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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 registered in 2009 and lives with her husband and two children in a residential area of Ash, near Aldershot, Hampshire. The whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. She has a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, no more than two may be in the early years age range. She has two children currently on roll in the early years age range, attending part-time. The childminder provides care from Monday to Friday throughout the year.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from local preschools and schools and goes to the local children's centre and library rhyme time regularly. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

The childminder organises an inclusive provision where children enjoy a wide variety of activities that promote good progress in their learning and development. She thoroughly evaluates her provision and identifies clear targets for future improvement, showing a strong commitment to continual development. Her written record of risk assessment covers most aspects of her provision, and she provides a safe environment for the children. She develops good partnerships with parents and establishes business-like relationships through sharing written policies, records and documentation. She has developed some links with other settings children attend to further support continuity in children’s care and learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for all types of outings and trips and the lock on the bathroom door  continue to develop reflective practice and self-evaluation to assess how effectively individual children's identified learning aims are achieved  develop a regular two-way flow of information with other providers, such as preschools, to share the children's development and learning records and any other relevant information. 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 shows good understanding of how to safeguard children. She shares her written policy with parents, and knows to record any concerns she may have and how to report them. She shares documentation and records with parents, such as for accidents. She frequently reviews her risk assessment of children’s activities and their environment and takes action to reduce most hazards effectively. However, the risk assessment record does not include all types of outings, and does not identify that, although children are presently accompanied to the bathroom, the lock is not suitable for when they exercise more independence.

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the early years provision

The childminder thoroughly evaluates her provision using the online self-evaluation form. She identifies her many strengths and has clear targets for future development, such as training for the common assessment framework and widening her support network by attending the local childminder group. The childminder has good relationships with parents. She seeks feedback from parents and acts upon their wishes, such as to increase opportunities for children to construct models, providing a responsive service. Letters from parents reflect how highly they regard the childminder’s provision, how their children love attending and the wide range of activities they do. Parents share children’s achievement records and they discuss their progress, which helps the childminder and parents build on children’s new interests and learning. Parents complete documentation such as contracts and child record forms and share information about children’s

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the early years provision

starting points. This helps the childminder provide support for children’s individual needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder collects information about activities children do at other settings by reading their activity plans and news letters, or by parents passing on information. This helps her build on children’s experiences and new knowledge. However, there is not yet a two-way flow of information to fully promote continuity in children’s individual learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder effectively supports children’s learning and development and they make good progress towards the early learning goals. She provides an environment that children find stimulating, and they show great interest in the resources set out accessibly for them. The childminder adds written observations and photographs to the Surrey learning journey record. This helps her clearly assess and monitor children’s progress in all areas of learning. She identifies individual children’s next possible steps and supports these through a balance of planned and freely chosen activities, although she does not systematically review how successfully these aims are achieved.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder identifies children’s interests and skilfully uses these to promote learning. She encourages children to problem solve as they count and divide Easter This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 eggs fairly. They enjoy frequent outings, and after a trip to the butterfly house at Wisley Gardens the childminder later develops their literacy and creative skills as they read The Hungry Caterpillar together and do butterfly painting. The childminder interacts well with the children as they play. She asks questions that prompt them to think about their activities and respond clearly, which supports their developing communication skills. She knows when to stand back and allow children to explore materials in ways she had not expected, such as when they spread and make patterns in flour left on the table after a cookery activity. This allows children to think creatively and initiate their own learning. Children have

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and outcomes for children

opportunities to socialise with others and access additional activities by regularly attending the local children’s centre and toddler groups.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop independence and confidence in their choices as they select their activities from a good range of resources. The childminder supports their choices, and they listen well as she helps them learn how to play a new game they have found. They have good opportunities to learn how to play safely. They develop control and manage appropriate risks as they use larger wheeled toys indoors and the climbing frame in the garden, or use knives and graters during cookery activities. During role play they talk about how to be safe around a barbeque. They show they feel very secure with the childminder as they talk about their families and lean against her affectionately as they play together.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder helps children learn how to support their own health and hygiene. She liaises closely with parents to provide continuity as children toilet train. They have daily opportunities for exercise and fresh air as they play in the garden, including in the rain when they enjoy going out with umbrellas. Children have their dietary needs met through the childminder liaising with parents. She currently provides light lunches and home-cooked teas for those staying later, which are nutritious and balanced. Children freely access their drinking water with prompts from the childminder, which ensures they remain well hydrated. They follow their home routines around naps, which helps them cope well with their active day. 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 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 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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