Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY279242 Inspection date 29/09/2010 Inspector Sheena Bankier

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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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her family in a village near Basingstoke. The downstairs of the home is mainly used for childminding with access to the first floor for sleeping and toilet facilities. The home is accessible from ground level.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding three children in the early years age group. The childminder is working towards a recognised 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 make very good progress as they benefit from a wide range of purposeful activities, play experiences and outings. The childminder provides excellent interaction with children. The welfare and safety of the children is overall thoroughly considered. Purposeful self-evaluation ensures the childminder strives for high standards and maintains very good continuous improvement. Exceptionally good partnerships are in place with parents and other settings.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 make a record of risk assessments clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review. 15/10/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 encourage parents to contribute to the records of children's progress.

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the early years provision

The childminder highly considers the safety of children. She has a very good understanding of her responsibilities to children's welfare. The childminder confidently demonstrates that she recognises the potential signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and the steps to take in the event of concerns arising. Daily and ongoing risk assessments take place to promote children's safety at all times. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 However, there is no record of these in place.

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the early years provision

Self-evaluation is very effective. The childminder continuously reviews and reflects on her service and fully includes the ideas and suggestions of children and parents. She purposefully uses information, including past recommendations and actions, to extend her practice and to make well considered changes, for example, a planned visit from the fire service resulted in her reviewing her evacuation procedure and new smoke alarms were fitted. Resulting in clear improvements in safety which benefits children. The childminder drives improvement well and strives for a high quality service, and therefore achieves effective continuous service.

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the early years provision

Children have access to a wide range of resources. These are very accessible either at floor level or at a low level, including a wide range of books. This enables children to be independent in their choices. The childminder makes excellent use of local and surrounding facilities, such as, walking in the fields, toddler groups and visits to the science museum. Consequently children benefit from an extensive range of stimulating outings.

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the early years provision

The highly inclusive environment ensures children feel included and part of the childminding family. An extensive range of resources and activities promotes children's understanding of the wider world. Children freely access resources that support their good understanding of diversity, for example, books, dolls and playfood, and the childminder organises activities to celebrate a range of religious and cultural celebrations.

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the early years provision

There are excellent links with parents and other providers. The childminder communicates purposefully with them and through this she fully promotes the integration of children's care and education. As a result, children greatly benefit from consistency and continuity.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very at ease with the childminder and clearly feel a significant sense of belonging. The childminder meets children's individual needs exceptionally well, due to the successful relationships she has with them and their parents. Children show care and consideration for other children, such as, finding comforters and giving gentle affection when younger children wake up from their nap. Children learn about keeping safe, for example, the childminder encourages children to use the stairs safely. Children behave very well and take an active part in routines, for example, tidying up. Warm and frequent praise and encouragement enables children to build excellent levels of self-esteem and confidence.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a wide range of purposeful activities that are fun and actively involve them. The childminder's excellent interaction with children extends and underpins their learning extremely well, for example, she introduces mathematical language and concepts during play and asks skilful questions to encourage children to think and develop their ideas. Children learn through play exceptionally well, for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 example, children identify colours, count and develop an understanding of letters. They have excellent levels of concentration. The childminder has thorough systems for maintaining accurate records of children's progress. This enables her to recognise children's achievements and any further support required. She shares this information with parents, although does not always actively encourage parents to contribute to the progress records.

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and outcomes for children

Children increase their understanding of a healthy lifestyle very well. Children develop self-care skills, such as, fetching tissues to use when needed. The childminder provides exceptionally healthy and nutritious home prepared and cooked meals. She is committed to providing high quality food for children, for example, she has a clear healthy eating policy and sources organic food whenever possible. The childminder chats to children about the importance of being healthy, such as, discussing healthy options at snack time and how using muscles during play will support children in being healthy and strong.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder increases children's independent skills in preparation for transitions, for example, children learn to take off and put on their coats and have low pegs to hang these on. Children develop confidence in going to the toilet on their own and demonstrate a very good understanding of routines, such as, washing their hands and drying these on their own towel. The childminder promotes children's emergent writing and uses the local schools style of writing for a consistent approach. Excellent resources, such as, a white board with letter formations printed on it, alphabet bean bags, felt letters, magnetic words and number games ensure children develop excellent skills for the future. 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 1 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 1 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 1 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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