Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY217586 Inspection date 10/05/2010 Inspector Chris Mackinnon

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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 2003. She lives with her partner in a ground floor flat in Burgess Hill, West Sussex. The lounge, a child care room and one bedroom are used for childminding. Local parks and play areas are used to provide outdoor activities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of six minded children may attend at any time, with no more than three children in the early years age group. The childminder currently has 13 children on roll, with five in the early years age group. The childminder makes regular outings to drop-ins and organised childminder group events.

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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 is trained and experienced, and effectively promotes children's welfare and development. Children enjoy a well prepared learning environment, with a good range of play materials and resources. The childminder provides a well planned range of activities, and children make consistent progress with their learning and achievement. The childminder works closely with parents and other carers, and is developing her application of reflective practice and self-evaluation.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the assessment arrangements to more fully support children's next steps in learning  increase the use of self-evaluation to support continuous improvement

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the early years provision

The childminder is a well established child carer, and works effectively with children over a range of ages. She has over five years experience and has competed level 3 childcare training. She demonstrates good organisational skills in her management of a consistent play programme, and presents a well prepared learning environment with her home. The childminder is well organised in her support for safeguarding. She has attended training in child protection and has clear policies and procedures to support her safeguarding practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes effective use of her training and experience, and is particularly confident in her knowledge and awareness of children's development stages. She has a significant strength in her use of planned activities to promote This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's learning. Children benefit greatly from frequent problem solving and number based activities, and the childminder places an emphasis on promoting children's personal and social development. A well presented range of resources and learning materials are also provided, and children enjoy a dedicated play area where they can develop and extend their learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a positive approach to assessing her play programme, and is currently widening her application of reflective practice. She takes care to periodically assess the effectiveness of the activities and the children's choice of resources. However, her use of self-evaluation to identify areas for improvement is currently limited, and is noted as an area for development within her provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the need to promote equality and diversity. She includes a range of festivals within the play programme, and includes play projects to support children's awareness of other cultures. An appropriate range of diversity based resources and visual material is also evident within the play environment. The childminder links well with other care settings, and uses her childminding experience to effectively maintain positive partnerships with parents. Her consistent monitoring of children's care needs and achievement, helps to provide clear information for parents on their children's learning progress.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's support for children's enjoying and achieving is well organised and effective. She provides a well planned programme of learning, that includes seasonal themes and yearly events. She develops many activities from internet sources, and also bases her play on the children's interests and information from home. The childminder's planned play programme makes good use of focused learning activities, to provide challenges for children. The well prepared learning environment, also encourages the children to explore and create their own play.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a clear and consistent knowledge of the six areas of learning, which she uses effectively to extend and develop the children's play. She also shows ability with her understanding of individual children's development stages, and their use of speech and interaction with others. During the play sessions, she makes good use of questions, to encourage the children's thinking, particularly their knowledge of colours, shapes and counting. The childminder has established well organised methods to observe and assess the children's learning. She uses photos and written notes to show how the children enjoy their activities, and make progress. Individual children's achievement is effectively supported, but the identification of their next steps in learning is not fully consistent, and is an area for further development.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is well maintained, and the childminder provides a range of healthy foods and snacks. Children's awareness of healthy eating, is also effectively promoted through learning about different types of foods and regular This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 food based activities. To support children's access to outdoor play, a range of specific activities are provided that includes frequent outings to local parks and play areas. Physical development activities are also provided indoors, with children's music and active games organised within the childminder's spacious lounge play area.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is effective in ensuring children feel safe and secure within the setting. A well organised range of safety precautions are in place, and safety within the play environment is well maintained by clear and consistent risk assessment. The childminder takes care to encourage children's personal and social development, and uses her experience and training to good effect, when promoting children's good behaviour and their ability to share and play together.

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and outcomes for children

Throughout the play programme, children's future skills are consistently promoted. Many of the activities provided effectively supports the children's communication and use of speech. Children enjoy looking at books and recognising letters, and are encouraged to talk about their needs and wishes. Good and effective use is made of number and shape based resources, to promote children's problem solving and use of counting. The childminder also encourages a high level of role play, with acts as a source of play ideas, and benefits the children's imaginative and expressive natures. Children's creative development is particularly well supported, and includes cutting, sticking and a wide range of art and craft activities to promote manipulative skills. Children's knowledge and understanding of the world is well represented, with travel based projects and children are able to learn about animals, growing and distances. Children also make frequent outings with the

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and outcomes for children

childminder, to well organised group play-and-learn sessions in the local area. 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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