Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 113912 Inspection date 15/07/2010 Inspector Helen Penticost

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and two of her four grown up children, in Littlehampton, West Sussex. The accommodation comprises of a large spacious room downstairs, which is the area mainly used for childminding. To the rear of the property is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding seven children in this age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is able to walk/drive to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children and will regularly visit parks, libraries and toddler groups with children.

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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 works with a good understanding of the individual needs of all children, which enables her to effectively meet their learning and welfare needs. Children make good progress in their learning and development through the sound observation, assessment and planning systems that are in place. The childminder has developed good relationships with parents to ensure that a consistent approach is adopted. She uses self-evaluation to gain an understanding of her own strengths and what may need to be improved, as part of a positive commitment to continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the registration system currently used is completed as children arrive and depart  ensure that the accident records are signed by the parent or carer  develop systems to allow children to select from all of the resources

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a suitable safeguarding policy. She is aware of the procedures to follow if she has any concerns and she keeps up-to-date through attending training. Suitability checks are carried out on all adults living in the home. Most of the required records that promote children's health, safety and well-being are in place. However, the current system for recording children's attendance is completed at the end of each day and is therefore, not an accurate record of whom is in the childminder's care. Children are well supported in their learning and play in a safe environment which is risk assessed daily to ensure that potential hazards are minimised. They take part in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 practising fire evacuation and the childminder records this in a log. The childminder gives gentle reminders to children about their own personal safety and

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the early years provision

that of others. Children access a home that is clean and well kept, which promotes good health. The childminder obtains all necessary documentation from parents to ensure children's safety. She keeps records of accidents and medication administration, however, not all accident book entries have been signed by a parent or carer.

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the early years provision

The childminder evaluates her provision by observing children, gaining verbal feedback from parents and sharing expertise within a network. She has completed a written self-evaluation which has highlighted her strengths and aided her to set targets for the future. The childminder takes part in training to update her skills and expertise. The childminder stores most of the toys, resources and equipment within the dedicated playroom and some is kept within the garage. Children do not have independent access to these resources. However, the childminder intends to address this by developing a photograph book, which children will be able to look at and choose what they would like out to play with. The provision is inclusive because all children are treated as individuals with the capacity to make progress. Children access a range of activities and use resources that help them appreciate their diverse world in an age appropriate way.

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the early years provision

Parents are kept informed about their children's activities through daily verbal feedback. The childminder talks to the parents about their children and finds out about their dietary needs as well as their developmental stage. Parents are provided with policies and procedures and are encouraged to view their child's progress record, which includes photographs of children at play and details each child’s development. This effectively ensures parents have good feedback from the childminder on how their child is developing. The childminder fosters positive relationships with others providing the Early Years Foundation Stage, which ensures continuity and consistency of care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children make progress as they spend time with the childminder and access a range of purposeful learning opportunities. Their starting points are established in conjunction with the parents and the childminder uses observations to gain an understanding of their individual progress. Children are able to initiate their own play as well as take part in adult-led activities, which in turn help them to develop their curiosity and become active and independent learners. They freely access the toys that are available to them from within the well stocked playroom.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy making choices and decide to use mark making equipment and explore the properties of play dough. They are able to use tools with increasing skill. For example, they use rolling pins and cutters as they manipulate the play dough into different shapes. Children are encouraged to solve problems for themselves, such as, fixing together the magnetic cars and operating the Thomas the Tank Engine clock. As children play they respond well to the childminder, for example, during their activity on oral health they listen to the childminder, answer This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 questions and discuss how they clean their teeth. The childminder exploits these opportunities well to build on children's communication skills and their ability to express themselves. She makes good use of incidental opportunities to develop children's understanding of mathematical concepts, such as shape and colour.

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and outcomes for children

Children access the musical instruments, which are freely available in the low level storage system.

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and outcomes for children

Parents supply meals for their children and mealtimes take place with the children sitting together around the table, which makes for a sociable occasion, developing children's social skills and good manners. They enjoy fresh air and exercise on a daily basis as they play within the garden or on outings. This enables children to develop an awareness of the need for a healthy lifestyle. Hygiene routines such as washing hands after visiting the toilet and before eating are adopted. Children's behaviour is managed positively to ensure that they gain an understanding of right and wrong. They are encouraged to share and take turns as they play together. Children happily play together, for example, as they play with their new toothbrushes which have suction cups on the bottom. They giggle and laugh as they listen to the noise that it makes as they release the suction. Children develop their understanding of the world they live in through the wide range of activities

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and outcomes for children

planned for them and through discussions with the childminder. 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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