Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY392792 Inspection date 28/04/2010 Inspector Daphne Prescott

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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 two children in Worthing, West Sussex. The whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding, with the exception of the childminder's bedroom. Children have access to an enclosed outdoor play area.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children on roll, of whom one is in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She also attends parent and toddler groups.

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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

Children are happy, confident and secure in this homely environment. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that their child's individual care needs are fully met. She has a lovely range of resources and provides activities that help children make good progress in all areas of their learning and development. The childminder deploys her resources well so that children can make independent choices and become active learners. Overall, most of the required documentation is in place to promote and safeguard children’s welfare. The childminder is beginning to reflect on her practice and seek parents' opinions about her service and demonstrates a good awareness of her strengths and areas that require further improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the risk assessment for the premises covers anything with which a child may come into contact  continue to update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for all outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of her role in safeguarding children and knows what to do if she is concerned about the welfare of a child in her care. Risk assessments are completed to ensure that hazards are identified and minimised; rigorous daily checks further improve children’s safety. Although, the door leading This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 into the garden has not been included in the record of risk assessment to enable the prevent measures to be put into place to protect children when the door is left open. The childminder takes children out and about in the local community with parent’s written permission. However, outings she undertakes with the children are not included in the record of risk assessment. This does not affect children's safety because the childminder visually carries out risk assessments whilst out to identify and minimise obvious safety hazards on all outings. Children are supervised closely

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the early years provision

at all times and when sleeping, the childminder checks on them frequently to ensure they are safe and comfortable. The childminder has in place the appropriate fire detection and control equipment. Regular fire drills are also practised so that children know how to keep themselves safe in an emergency. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate to enable her to deal appropriately with any accidents, which helps maintain children's well-being.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is well organised. A dedicated playroom enables children to self-select resources and enjoy a lovely range of activities that capture their interest. In addition, they also have access to the room leading from the playroom which is set out with different activities which enable the children to have ample space to move around and make choices. This enabling environment assists children to become independent learners and have an enjoyable and fun time in the care of the childminder. The childminder promotes inclusive practice so that all children have their welfare needs met with care and kindness. Children's awareness of people's differences is also promoted they are able to access resources that reflect cultural diversity and disability. They take part in planned activities, and look at different celebrations and festivals such as Chinese New Year and Easter which helps to raise children's awareness of the wider world.

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the early years provision

The childminder is welcoming to all children and their families. She works well in partnership with parents to ensure children’s individual needs are fully met. Detailed information is gathered from parents about their child before they start so that the childminder knows children's individual interests and needs, which she uses to inform planning for activities and providing care. Furthermore, she is sensitive to children's individual personalities when settling them in her home and this ensures a smooth transition between home and the childminding home. Clear written policies and procedures are professionally presented to share with parents so that they know about the childminding provision. Each day, the childminder talks with the parents and she also provides them with informative daily diary covering all aspects of their care and learning. Parents written positive comments about the childminder is that she is 'very caring, excellent service'. The childminder

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the early years provision

does not currently care for children who attend other settings that provide the Early Years Foundation Stage but is aware of the need to liaise when needed to ensure continuity of the care and learning provided. She demonstrated that she fully understands her responsibilities to work with parents and other agencies to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder has begun to reflect and evaluate on her practice to ensure that children have good quality experiences and can make good progress in their learning and development. She is aware of her strengths within the setting and has identified areas for further 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 form warm and friendly relationships with the childminder. They readily seek comfort and reassurance and enjoy her joining in with their play. The childminder has a good understanding of how young children learn and this enables her to provide a range of experiences and activities to support each child's learning and development. She observes children at play and is beginning to develop a record of children’s progress so the information gained from her observations of children can be used to identify the next steps in each child’s learning and plan activities which build on their interests. These records are also shared with parents, providing opportunities for them to contribute to these records in order to share what they know about their child’s progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children are involved in a variety of stimulating activities to enable them to make good progress in all areas of their development. They develop a sense of shapes and numbers during play and conversations with the childminder. Communication skills are encouraged at all times. The childminder supports children’s language development through positive interaction, and reinforcing language during play and singing. The childminder encourages children to link sounds to letters during activities by saying the initial sound. Children explore their creativity in a range of art and craft activities; they freely produce drawings and pictures to represent their ideas and give meaning to their marks. The children also have a lovely time making paper flowers with the childminder for the flower pot that they have made to give to their parents. Children begin to be problem solvers as they confidently operate simple equipment such as push and play toys. They demonstrate curiosity

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and outcomes for children

as they work out which button to press to turn it on. Children have independent access to a good range of books; the childminder enjoys spending time reading to the children, encouraging them to take part in the story discussing the pictures and characters in the books. These simple activities lay the foundations to support children’s future skills. Their imagination is nurtured as they use role play resources, such as, a shopping till, play food and shopping bag to play shops. The childminder takes the children on regular outings out of the home to help promote children's learning and development. For example, they regularly visit a local toddler group where children develop social skills as they play with other children of a similar age, and join in group activities such as singing.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes children’s good health and well-being, and takes the necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection. For example, the downstairs bathroom provides children with their own hand towels which help to prevent the risk of cross-infection. Children also develop good hygiene skills as they wash their hands at appropriate times of the day. Children have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they play in the garden. The have a lovely time as the childminder encourages them in their new found skills as they ride on wheeled bikes. Snack and mealtimes take place with the children and childminder sitting together at the table, which makes for a sociable occasion developing children's social skills and good manners. Parents provide their children's own food and the childminder makes sure it is stored and reheated appropriately to ensure it remains This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

fresh and consumable. Children are well behaved and they develop good self- esteem and understand when they have done well because they receive praise and recognition for their achievements. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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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.

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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:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 devise a written procedure to be followed in relation to complaints (Procedures for dealing with complaints). 11/05/2010

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