Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY406008 Inspection date 07/09/2010 Inspector Chris Makinnon

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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 assesses 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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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 registered in 2010. She lives with her partner and two children aged ten and one year in Horley, Surrey. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding and children have daily opportunities for outdoor play within the secure garden and local parks. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years, with no more than two in the early years age range. The childminder currently has three children on roll and two are in the early years age range.

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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 newly registered and shows a good awareness of individual children's care and welfare needs. She provides a welcoming play environment with frequent opportunities for outdoor learning. A well organised range of activities are provided and children over a range of ages make good progress with their learning. The childminder has skills in supporting children's social development and likes to encourage children's expressive and creative play. The childminder has established close and effective partnerships with parents and is confident in her use of self-evaluation and driving improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop assessment to further support individual children's next steps in learning

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the early years provision

The childminder makes effective use of her initial training and parental experience, to provide a well organised and stimulating learning environment for children. She is consistent in her application of a well prepared learning programme and demonstrates a range of strengths within her practice, particularly in her support for individual children's learning and working with a range of ages. She also works closely with parents and has effective systems in place to develop the quality of her provision. The childminder has a consistent awareness of safeguarding and has established clear safety procedures and maintains close supervision, to ensure children are protected and kept secure.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her home effectively to facilitate good quality childcare This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and provides a range of play areas. Table-top activities and messy play takes place in the kitchen dining area, with space available in the lounge for expressive activities and role play. Children also have quick access to the back garden for outdoor play and learning. Much care is taken by the childminder to ensure children can choose and select play materials easily. For example, low level book shelves and easily accessible toy boxes, which help in the promotion of child-led play and creative learning.

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the early years provision

Children's individual development needs are consistently supported by the childminder, who takes particular care to identify gaps in their learning. For example, she repeats words and prompts children to say the names for items and the things they see on outings. The childminder is inclusive in her approach and shows a good ability to promote the learning needs of different ages and genders. She also successfully provides opportunities for children to develop diversity awareness, with an organised range of resources and cultural festivals celebrated.

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the early years provision

The childminder recognises the importance of working closely with parents and other carers. She uses home diaries with parents to share information on children's daily care. Her well organised assessment records provide opportunities for parents to engage with their children's learning. Information on children's home backgrounds and their contact with other care settings is also gathered and effectively used to promote development. The childminder has recently conducted a parents questionnaire, to encourage suggestions and provide parents with the opportunity to comment on her service.

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the early years provision

A strong and consistent aspect of the childminder's provision, is the effective use she makes of reflective practice and self-evaluation. She takes a close interest in how play items are used and adapted, within the play environment. She also takes note of how children interact and respond to activities. She has produced a well detailed and effective self-evaluation document that looks at all aspects of her play programme. It identifies areas for further development, such as, widening the range of diversity based activities and the introduction of more individualised learning plans. Overall the childminder shows much confidence with her ability to self assess and demonstrates a clear commitment to development and improvement.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is well organised in her promotion of children's enjoying and achieving. She has a consistent approach to the planning of activities and is currently in the process of developing individual play plans for children. The childminder shows a good awareness of children's learning opportunities, which is demonstrated by her frequent use of outings to stimulate the children's observation and experiences. The childminder effectively provides a good balance between adult and child-led activities, and likes to encourage children to explore and be creative within the play environment. During the presentation of activities she shows a good knowledge of the six areas of learning. Children's progress in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 these areas is clearly recorded in their assessment records. Good use is made of photos to show how children enjoy their play and clearly dated notes are also used

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and outcomes for children

to monitor progress. The childminder is currently developing her methods of assessment, to provide more detail on individual children's next steps in learning; and this is noted as an area for improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Safety is well maintained within the play provision with an effective range of procedures and guidance policies in place. A full and detailed range of risk assessments are used and children are encouraged to develop their safety awareness; for instance, during outings the childminder helps the children to learn about road safety. Care is taken by the childminder to ensure children's health is promoted. A range of healthy foods and snacks are provided and children enjoy trying different fruits like Mango. The younger children particularly enjoy the home made meal pots she prepares, which are appreciated by parents. Support for children's physical development is well included in the play programme. Children are encouraged to explore resources that develop their manipulative skills and help them gain confidence with balance and climbing. A good example being the childminder's provision of active role play sessions, where children pretend to be

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and outcomes for children

jungle animals. Children also make frequent trips to nearby parks and play areas for ball games and to use the large play equipment.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a strong awareness of the need to promote children's social learning. She works closely with individual children to support positive interactions and is effective in managing children's behaviour and consideration for others. The childminder makes good use of snack times to help children establish routines and learn turn taking. She also helps children to share toys and play materials. For example, during child led activities, she shows a good ability to help younger children move from individual play, to sharing their play with others. The older children who attend are also positively guided to be respectful of the childminder's house rules, which are clearly displayed and used as a visual reminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children's development of a range of skills is well supported, and the childminder is consistent in her encouragement of children's speech and use of words. For example, she provides frequent story time sessions with children and encourages them to recognise animals, colours and follow the events in the book. Children also have many opportunities for mark making and become familiar with letters and their sounds. Children are successfully introduced to numbers, counting and different shapes and sizes, particularly during role play and assembly activities. The childminder places a strong emphasis on expressive and creative learning, often combined with a physical activity. Musical instruments and frequent sound making sessions are organised, that often includes an African drum. Children are effectively encouraged to make their own play and follow their interests. Children dress up and are inventive, and the childminder and children greatly enjoy having

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and outcomes for children

fun with the childminder, when she joins in with their expressive games. Children's knowledge and understanding of the world is also well supported. For example, one child is fascinated by all types of transport and loves to go out to see cars, lorries and the planes landing at the nearby airport. The childminder makes frequent use of outside experiences to stimulate learning, often linking what the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children see with story books and art craft activities. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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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