Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY219321 Inspection date 26/04/2010 Inspector Jill Steer

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and child aged 10 years in Rustington, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. She has a tortoise and a dog as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding six children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. During school holidays the childminder’s husband works with her as an assistant. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of an approved childminding network.

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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 well qualified and has a positive attitude to continuing to improve her provision. She has identified areas for future development to enhance the environment for the children. The individual needs of all children are well met through effective partnership working. The welfare of each child is of paramount importance to this childminder who plans each day to ensure each child is engaged and supported to make good progress across all areas of learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 further improve opportunities for children to develop their independence  ensure written records of all medicines include the date and the time to be administered

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the early years provision

The childminder attends child protection training every three years to update her knowledge of current procedures. This ensures children are well safeguarded in her care and any concerns about their wellbeing will be identified and managed effectively. Detailed risk assessments are regularly completed of the childminder's home, garden and all the venues they visit on outings. This identifies any potential hazards so the childminder can then take steps to keep the children safe. She occasionally uses these situations as additional learning opportunities for the children. For example when builders were completing work to her house, the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder let the children watch the plasterer. She then provided them with a soap flake paste mixture to imitate the technique safely in the garden. Children are consulted by the childminder in the compilation of the house rules which are in

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the early years provision

place to keep themselves safe as well as consideration for the safety of everyone else. The childminder is well qualified and by continually updating her training, attending courses and conferences as well as reading professional journals, keeps up to date with current practice issues.

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the early years provision

The childminder consults the children and their parents about her service to gain feedback to identify areas for improvement. She shares information with parents on a daily basis through discussion and the use of daily diaries. This develops effective relationships with clear channels of communication to share information about the children and their developmental progress. Newsletters also inform parents about what the children have been and will be doing with the childminder. Partnerships with others are being developed and the childminder attends parent consultation evenings to share details of children's progress. This enables all those caring for the children to provide consistent levels of support so each child is settled and progressing well. The childminder has begun to evaluate her practice and is aware of her strengths as well as areas for further development.

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the early years provision

Resources and the environment are organised to encourage children to make choices as individuals and many notices are in a variety of languages to provoke discussion and awareness of the world. Each child is therefore able to direct their own activities with encouragement from the childminder who acknowledges them as individuals. All the required consents, documentation and policies are in place to inform good practice. However, the medicine records are not sufficiently detailed to ensure they are correctly administered.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to learn through a balance of adult led and self chosen activities. Planned topics such as 'Spring', provide opportunities for focused learning through a range of activities such as creating wall displays. Children can also confidently select what they want to do from the resources which are stored to be readily accessible to them. Children are individually well supported by the childminder. For example when what they ask for is unclear, she asks them to point and show her, so developing their confidence and ensuring their choices are fulfilled. The childminder is aware of each child's stage of development and encourages them as they play, to ensure they make steady progress. For example, when either painting or playing with construction, the childminder encourages children to identify the colours they are using. Clear observations are recorded of the children's activities so the childminder can plan how to move them on to the

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and outcomes for children

next stage in their development. However, not all opportunities are taken for children to practise and develop their independence. The childminder for example, cuts the paper flowers for them to paint and puts their aprons on for them without offering children the chance to try for themselves.

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and outcomes for children

Daily outdoor activities allow children to be active and learn about leading a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 healthy lifestyle. They play in the garden, exercising their bodies by using the physical play equipment and visit the local parks to run and climb. They dig, plant and harvest vegetables in the garden which encourages them to learn about eating healthy food options, particularly when incorporated into topics such as 'Growing'. Children's good health continues to be promoted as the childminder implements routine procedures such as hand washing before eating and after going to the toilet and outside. They learn how to wipe their own noses to reduce the spread of infections. Children enjoy food prepared by their parents with guidance from the childminder on including healthy options.

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and outcomes for children

Many opportunities are organised for children to learn about keeping themselves and each other safe. They take part in Child Safety Week when they meet police, fire fighters and health professionals, all of whom role model helping others. Children's confidence as they move around the childminder's home indicates they feel secure within the clear household guidelines and they learn how to dial 999 in emergency situations. Some of these are displayed as a reminder, such as how to play safely on the trampoline. Use of mechanical and technological resources helps children develop their skills for the future. They assist the childminder with chores such as hanging washing out to dry and then re-enact it in the role play area as they 'keep house'. 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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