Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY341602 Inspection date 16/04/2010 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 has been registered since 2006. She lives with her husband and two children in Goring-by-Sea, West Sussex. The ground floor is used for childminding, with toilet facilities within this area and sleeping facilities upstairs. There is a garden available for outdoor play.

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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 nine children on roll, of whom three are in the early years age group. Children attend at different times of the week. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts 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. The family have two cats, chickens, guinea pigs and a small selection of African land snails.

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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 thoroughly enjoy their time spent in the childminder's care as they have access to a lovely range of toys, resources and stimulating activities. They are making good progress in their learning and development; this is as a result of the childminder's enthusiasm for providing good childcare. The childminder works effectively with parents to support children's progress. She recognises each child’s individuality and effectively promotes inclusive practice so that all children feel secure and valued. Most of the required documentation is in place. The childminder is fully committed to developing her practice to ensure continuous improvement and is aware of her strengths and areas for improvement. However, systems for evaluating her childminding service are in their early infancy.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for all outings.  develop the system for monitoring and evaluating the continued quality of the provision, for example, through self-evaluation.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of how to safeguard children in her care. She is fully aware of her duty of care to protect children and of the procedure This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 she must follow if she has concerns about their safety and welfare. Children are supervised well by the childminder and she ensures that they are never left unsupervised with adults who have not been vetted for their suitability. There are effective safety measures in place as risk assessments for the environment are carried out and reviewed at regular intervals to ensure all risks to children are minimised. The childminder also maintains risk assessment for outings, although these do not detail the different types of outings she undertakes with the children. This does not affect children's safety because the childminder visually carries out risk assessments whilst out in the local community to identify and minimise

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the early years provision

obvious safety hazards on all outings. 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 environment is well-organised which ensures that children have plenty of play space and can frequently play outdoors. Toys are inviting and well presented to the children and a good range of play materials are accessed independently from low level boxes, with toys displayed on the small table and floor for younger children to access. The setting is inclusive as children are always treated as individuals each with the ability to achieve and to make progress. The childminder knows the children well and has a good understanding of what stage children have reached and their individual needs. For example, she is good at interpreting younger children's babble and recognises their individual signs for when they are tired or hungry.

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the early years provision

The childminder has positive relationships with parents and liaises closely with parents on a daily basis to ensure that she meets the needs of the children. She gathers appropriate information from parents about their child and has effective systems in place for keeping parents well informed. For example, a clear daily activity sheet for the young children that attend ensures parents are fully informed of their welfare and learning. A comprehensive range of written policies and procedures to underpin the childminder's practice are also shared with parents so that they are aware of the service she provides. Parents make positive written comments about the childminder, particularly in relation to that she provides a stimulating and caring environment and their children feel at home and at ease with her. The childminder fully understands the importance of liaising with other settings that the children may also attend to make sure there is a cohesive

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the early years provision

approach to their learning and development. 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.

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the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to evaluate the service she provides and she recognises the need to develop this further. She realises that this is a useful tool to gauge effectiveness, showing keen commitment to continuous improvement. The recommendation raised at the last inspection has been fully addressed, improving outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children have settled very well into the childminder's family home and she has developed good relationships with the children. They feel safe and secure and regularly approach the childminder for cuddles and she shows a lot of affection towards them offering comforting support and reassurance. The childminder promotes children's sense of belonging extremely well as children can see their photographs and names as they self register when they arrive at the childminder's home. In addition, their art work is also displayed which gives the children a sense of value and remind the children what they have experienced and enjoyed. The childminder regularly provides praise and encouragement to children. This supports children in feeling good about themselves and, as a result, develops their self-esteem and confidence.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress as they play and learn from a range of highly appropriate learning opportunities. The childminder has a good understanding of children's starting points and has used these to ensure that she can provide a range of interesting activities. She makes regular observations of children's progress which allows her to assess their achievements in all areas of learning. The childminder uses this information to identify what steps they need to take next and ensures that the resources available and planned activities take account of these. The childminder also plans themed activities. For example, children have a lovely time making ducks using different tools and craft materials which develops their creativity. They also sing the song 'five little ducks' which exposes them to actions songs and rhymes, which links to their theme of nursery rhymes and fairy tales. Children have a positive attitude towards learning at the childminder's. They move

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and outcomes for children

around the space confidently and make choices about their learning and play. Children have opportunities to develop skills for the future. For example, they have access to a range of mark making resources, which helps to develop their early writing skills. The childminder gets down to younger children's level to join in with their play and responds to their vocalisations, which encourages them to babble and to communicate by imitating social activities such as clapping hands. Many words and letters are displayed so children begin to understand that print carries meaning. Younger children concentrate intently, happily smiling as the childminder talks to them about what they are doing. She encourages younger children to explore the space near them by putting interesting things beside them, such as sound making toys. Younger children are beginning to show an understanding of technology as they press buttons on interactive toys. Children are learning about

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and outcomes for children

the features of living things, for example they look at tadpoles in a container in the setting and they enjoy the chickens in the childminder's garden. They learn about their local environment as they are taken out and about on walks and to different places of interest. Children are beginning to learn about the world in which they live, for instance, as they play with a range of multicultural resources and celebrate a variety of festivals, such as Easter and Chinese New Year.

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and outcomes for children

Children have an age appropriate understanding of healthy lifestyles and choices as they taste healthy foods and talk about fruit being good for them. They are encouraged to develop good personal habits as they follow clear hygiene practices, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 such as washing their hands after using the toilet and before having snacks. Children enjoy plenty of exercise and fresh air walking to and from school. They have a great deal of access to the childminder's garden, which is well equipped and has large apparatus to promote their physical skills and provide challenge. Furthermore, the childminder supports younger children's physical development well. She engages them in varied physical experiences, such as bouncing and rolling indoors. Outdoors they have a lovely time swinging in the baby swing as they laugh and giggle with the older children. The childminder encourages children

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and outcomes for children

to learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, they take part in regular evacuation drills from the home to enable them to become familiar with the process in the event of an emergency and learn about road safety while out walking in the local community. 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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