Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY407286 Inspection date 20/09/2010 Inspector Christine Clint

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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 husband and one pre-school age child. The house is situated in a residential area close to Felpham and Middleton-on-sea, near Bognor Regis, West Sussex. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding and children can sleep in a first floor bedroom during the day. There is access to a secure garden for outside play. The family have a dog.The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than two children may be in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is currently caring for four children on a part-time basis during the week, two children 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 has effectively organised her childcare provision because she fully understands the Early Years Foundation Stage and has a clear awareness of how children learn. She has created a child-focussed environment within the home and she dedicates her time to meeting the individual needs of the children attending. All requirements to promote children's welfare are soundly established. The childminder is continually evaluating her provision and making plans for future improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the systems for assessing children's learning and include opportunities for parents and carers to contribute regularly to promote children's progress

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the early years provision

The childminder shows comprehensive skills of organisation and record keeping. She has developed policies and procedures to cover all areas of childcare and this includes full records of risk assessment for every room in the home and for each outing. The childminder has created a folder for parents and carers to ensure they are informed about all areas of the regulations; especially to ensure they understand her duty to respond to any concerns about children's welfare. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 complaints procedure has full details about how any complaints will be managed and recorded. The childminder spends all her time with the children to ensure their safety; she has fully secured all areas and uses a stair gate. Babies and smaller children sleep in a travel cot on the first floor and the childminder conscientiously carries a baby monitor to enable her to respond to their needs. All fire safety

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the early years provision

equipment is in place and the childminder has an emergency evacuation plan of the home displayed.

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the early years provision

There are ample resources for play and children have space and freedom to move between rooms and in the secure garden. Children choose different items and move these from place to place. They follow the childminder's lead at times and sit together to make birthday cakes from play dough. They are continually learning through the daily routines and through the natural interaction which is entirely appropriate for the children's age and stage of development.

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the early years provision

Children are encouraged to learn about differences and the childminder is especially dedicated to ensuring that school-age children have positive encouragement at all times. She uses explanation to ensure that all the children attending understand about each other. She encourages their learning by providing books and stories about other cultures and she also ensures that they have opportunities to see and experience the local community.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows a dedicated approach to recognising children's individual needs and a clear commitment to creating systems to promote and encourage children's development. She has learning records in place and very concise observations of children's progress. These are recorded under the areas of learning and summarised with future plans for their next steps in development. The childminder has regular verbal dialogue with parents and other carers, which shows her commitment to sharing her knowledge about children's learning, although parents do not yet contribute to children's learning records.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows initiative and dedication, she is evaluating her provision through the continual planning and preparation for children's progress. This includes broadening the range of resources to meet children's different ages and increasing her knowledge and awareness through attending training.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settling well with the childminder and show increasing confidence in moving between the play resources and finding their favourite items. They are beginning to use skills of emerging language and assertive behaviour, because they have become familiar with the surroundings and the childminder's family. Children are learning to share and to take turns with toys because the childminder is always present and she uses quiet and clear explanation to ensure children understand and respond to each other. Children are happy and very willing to become involved with activities that the childminder plans and suggests; she motivates and encourages their response. The childminder is very aware of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 observing children's play and has quickly recognised the increased levels of concentration taking place at the play dough table. Toddlers show they are relaxed

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and outcomes for children

and absorbed when handling the play dough and making small pieces in a pile. Children talk about birthday cakes and shared birthdays, they sing to each other with enthusiasm and count the pretend candles. All children attending are learning about each other and this encourages and builds their growing relationships. The childminder shows clear skills of including all children in the planned and spontaneous activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children eagerly eat their fruit at snack time and have regular drinks. The childminder is fully prepared to meet the needs of children and parents. She shows a clear knowledge of children's individual allergies and requirements, especially when toddlers show less enthusiasm for eating at lunch time because they are tired. The childminder immediately provides grapes because she knows they are a favourite. Children are learning about personal hygiene because they wash their hands before meals and after toileting. They have access to the open-plan kitchen, which is very clean and well organised. Children have regular fresh air and exercise because they can use the physical play apparatus in the garden, which is easily accessed. There is also a small trampoline which is used indoors or outside. Children have many regular outings, to parks, woods and play centres and also to the beach. They collect items and talk about the seasons.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning about safety because they understand the need to protect smaller children from dangers and the childminder continually explains. She encourages older children to clear away all the conkers and conker shells they have collected for autumn topics because these are not safe for toddlers to handle. She supervises all garden play and ensures that smaller children are not close to older children when they are using the swing. Toddlers are strapped safely when sitting for lunch in the high chair and the childminder shows an alert responsibility when smaller children do not settle well at sleep time. She is aware of the need for sleep to maintain their welfare but is also concerned when they become too emotional and upset. Children happily sit together with the childminder for a story and the childminder knows how to gain toddler's attention by choosing a favourite book. Children learn to turn pages and they recognise and talk about the

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and outcomes for children

characters in the pictures; they learn new words and begin to count. The childminder shows initiative by creating opportunities for extending children's interest and holding the attention of different aged children at the same time. Children have frequent opportunities for following their own ideas with the play kitchen, the dolls and buggies. They are sometimes encouraged to learn and retell stories through enacting simple role play and this shows their skills of remembering the sequence of stories. They are encouraged to practise with musical instruments and learn about rhythm, they use the xylophone and beat in time on the drum. 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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