Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY253779 Inspection date 22/04/2010 Inspector Jacqueline Munden

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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 husband and three school-aged children, in the Warsash area of Hampshire. All areas of the childminder's home are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of which, no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for six children on a part-time basis, two of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder is also registered by Ofsted on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a relevant level 3 childcare qualification.

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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 welcomed into a warm and nurturing environment where their safety and welfare are promoted successfully and they are all valued and included. Strong relationships with parents enable the childminder to ensure children's individual needs are met effectively. Their learning is supported through methods appropriate to their ages and level of development; therefore, children make good progress. All the required documentation is in place, although some written policies lack detail. The childminder is constantly reviewing and improving her practice and identifies areas for future development to continuously improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the range of resources and activities that help children learn about all people in society including those with disabilities  update policies and procedures to ensure they refer to the welfare requirements and reflect the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

The good organisation of the childminder ensures that children are safeguarded well. She has a clear understanding of the procedure she should follow should she have a concern regarding child protection. All appropriate records and parental consents to promote children's health and welfare are in place. A wide range of written policies and procedures underpin her good practice, although some have not been updated to refer to the welfare requirements. Risk assessments are conducted within the home, garden and for outings with suitable steps taken to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 minimise any identified hazards. For example, she carries cards with each minded child's photograph, emergency contact details and parental consents to seek emergency treatment on outings. The childminder has devised effective contingency arrangements to ensure children are suitably cared for should an

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the early years provision

emergency arise or she is unable to care for them. For example, in the case of an outbreak of Swine Flu in her family.

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the early years provision

The environment is clean, homely and welcoming. The childminder uses space well to ensure children can move around freely and take part in a full range of activities. Children select from a wide range of resources that is easily accessible to meet the needs of all those attending. Equality and diversity is promoted well as all children are included and can take part as play equipment suits their development level and interest. For example, young children can join in creative activities using chunky, easy grip crayons and paint brushes. The childminder is committed to providing an inclusive setting. Some books and resources promote positive images of gender and people from different cultures. The childminder has a positive approach to helping children learn and understand about those with disabilities, although there are few resources to aid this. She is keen to support children wherever she can and works closely with parents and others such as speech

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the early years provision

therapists involved in their care to do so. The childminder and parents share information regularly through discussion at delivery and collection times and by the use of a daily diary for young children. Parents enthuse about how quickly children settle with the childminder and report they are extremely happy with the care their children receive. They appreciate the written information they are given in the diary that includes meal and sleep times as well as how children are progressing and developing skills.

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the early years provision

Since the last inspection, the childminder has been active in improving her practice. She has achieved a level 3 childcare qualification and has introduced an effective system to record observations and assessments of children's learning and development. She uses self-evaluation effectively, obtaining the views of parents and older children to help her plan activities and make changes to continually improve outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and settled in the calm and nurturing environment the childminder provides. Babies show delight as they arrive and the door is opened by the childminder. From then on, they are relaxed and respond positively to her care and interaction. They feel safe and secure due to their needs being catered for well and the good attention they receive. The childminder sits with them, engaging them with chatter and stimulating activities and resources. They respond well, developing language and physical skills. Babies enjoy new experiences including sitting in the swing at the park. They are encouraged well to develop large muscles enabling them to stand. Toys are placed around them, encouraging them to stretch and move as they reach for them.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans activities outside the home to ensure children benefit from a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 wide range of experiences, including meeting with others and having access to physical exercise such as visiting the park. In the holidays, children are involved in planning activities and meals, which makes them feel valued and included. They enjoy outings to local places of interest such as a local beach. Some children only spend short times with the childminder after school. They are also offered a wide range of activities which help them make progress. They take part in counting games, use laptop computers and play music on the CD player. The garden offers opportunities to explore and play in the sand and dig for creatures; children develop physical skills using swingball and have fun bouncing on the space hopper.

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and outcomes for children

Children take part in activities that help them learn to keep healthy such baking and cooking. Photographs are used to show parents their children enjoying the foods they have cooked. Children learn to keep safe as they take part in fire drills. This is made interesting for them as the evacuation plan includes an aerial photograph of the home and street and where the meeting points are. They learn road safety when out walking and learn to follow the rules to ensure they are safe when playing on the trampoline. This helps them learn to consider others and to take turns. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's behaviour is managed consistently, which has a positive impact on the way the improvements are being made. The environment encourages children to be independent as they can hang their coats on low level pegs and they can make choices of what to play with from the wide range of resources that covers all areas

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and outcomes for children

of their learning. Children's differences are valued and families are involved; cultural celebrations and traditions from their home lives are included in the setting's activities. This greatly benefits them and the other children as they learn about the wider world. For example, a Swedish cake in the shape of a house is made at Christmas.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of how children in the Early Years Foundation Stage learn and provides lots of opportunities to help them progress in all areas of learning. She uses publications to help develop this understanding and to plan the next steps in children's learning. The childminder speaks knowledgeably about the children and the stages of development they have reached, how she has helped them to make good progress since starting with her and what she intends to do to aid this further. 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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