Childminder in Southampton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY256344 Inspection date 01/10/2010 Inspector Judith Reed

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children in the Bitterne area of Southampton. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has some pet fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children under five on a part- time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on 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 and attends a toddler group.

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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 very happy and settled in the childminder's home where she provides a wide choice of fascinating activities, which hold children?s interest. All children are welcomed; equality and diversity are highly promoted exceptionally well. There welfare is promoted well, overall. The childminder carries out self-evaluation of her professional service thoroughly overall and ensures continuing improvement through ongoing training and development.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve children's understanding of healthy lifestyles by role modelling good hand washing procedures when young children have nappies changed.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded very well overaall because the childminder has a clear understanding of her duty regarding safeguarding children. All adults living in the home are suitability checked as necessary. Thorough risk assessments are completed around the home and garden, as well as for many different outings. The childminder makes weekly checks around the home to further ensure This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's safety at all times. Parents complete necessary documentation to keep children safe. The childminder has all necessary policies and procedures in place to underpin the effective management of her provision, although there is a minor weakness in the procedure for preventing cross infection.. The childminder builds good business relationships with the parents; she provides them with copies of policies, so they understand her ethos. Parents are kept

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the early years provision

informed regularly about their children?s progress and achievements; for example, children's development milestones are shared and valued. Parents are invited to contribute to their children?s unique record books and to view their child's individual learning journey records. Parent's views are sought and they complete evaluation forms to provide useful feedback to the childminder. Very positive feedback is received with comments such as 'she is very supportive and natural with the children, there is an amazing choice of activities and the children are very happy'. The childminder is familiar with the local schools and builds good relationship with the staff. This enables them to share information regarding children within the early years foundation stage to support continuity of care and learning effectively. Equality and diversity are very effectively promoted within the childminder's setting. The children and the childminder work together to find out about one or

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the early years provision

two of the festivals and therefore learn about other cultures. Younger children are included by joining in the activities such as cooking and making things, as well as drawing, at their own level of development. The childminder provides equipment which helps children talk about their feelings and appreciate differences. Resources promote learning and development well. These are provided for very young children in the lounge room and other children are encouraged to help themselves from the well stocked play room. All children move around the home and make choices about their own activities, so supporting their independence.

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the early years provision

The childminder continuously evaluates her service, doing so accurately overall. She takes relevant training to improve and develop her practice. Both the parents and children are involved in the evaluation process. The childminder is fully aware of and strives for continuous development within her childminding provision. The childminder takes every possible step she can to provide the best service for children and their parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children are busy and very well engaged with an exceptionally interesting range of activities. She is well aware of their individual stages of development and next steps for learning, as discussed with their parents. Children particularly enjoy sharing books and sit cosily on the childminder's lap to look at age appropriate story books. The childminder uses finger puppets to help keep the children's attention when looking at the books and listening to stories. This activity helps their communication, language and literacy develop, so providing them with useful skills for their future lives. Additionally, they begin to learn about number and numeracy as well as information technology. Children learn through first hand This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 experiences, experimenting with pushing buttons that make noises and shaking musical instruments, for example. The childminder encourages children to try new

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and outcomes for children

things as well as to return to favourite items. She repeats the sounds children make to further encourage their language development, showing her interaction skills. The childminder makes frequent observations of children's development and links them to the different aspects of the six areas of learning. This enables her to set appropriate targets for ongoing development which are regularly discussed with parents. The childminder supports children well overall, in learning about healthy lifestyles. Children play in a clean and tidy environment at all times. The childminder generally follows good hygiene practice when changing nappies and wears gloves to protect children from cross infection. However, on one occasion the childminder omitted to wash her hands thoroughly or clean the changing mat immediately following a nappy change. Children are offered fruit snacks and food as prepared by their parents.. Children enjoy regular opportunities to be outside in

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and outcomes for children

fresh air when walking to and from school and playing outside. The childminder takes children to the nearby woods for exciting games and they use the grounds of the local school for activities such as cricket. All the children are encouraged to join in the games and activities when they learn about taking turns and competition. They co-operate and share well. Children get to know one another and make friends. They support one another. The childminder helps children to feel safe by displaying a pictorial notice about the rules of the household. Children also learn about ?stranger danger? and how to keep safe when crossing the road. They talk about feelings and express their own needs to the childminder. 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 1

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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 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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