Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY278605 Inspection date 20/10/2010 Inspector Carol Newman

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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 has been registered since 2004. She lives with her husband, who is her co-childminder, in Weybridge in the borough of Elmbridge. The ground floor of the childminder's house and both floors of the detached, dedicated childminding provision are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. Local facilities include the town centre, schools, parks and the library. .

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years when minding alone and eight children under eight years when co- childminding. There are currently eight children, aged from one to six years, attending the provision on a full-time and part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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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 provides a high standard of care for all children. She carries out frequent, informal evaluations of her provision to ensure she maintains and develops the quality of the children's experiences. All children are treated as individuals and most steps are taken to celebrate their uniqueness. The childminder adopts a professional approach to ensure children thrive in the provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 pay further regard to the identified children's individual next steps when planning and facilitating activities  further develop children's understanding of the culture of others, particularly those represented in the setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder continually updates her knowledge of safeguarding procedures by attending regular training. This ensures she knows the procedures to follow if she has any concerns about the children in her care. Clear, detailed risk assessments contribute to children's safety both in the provision and on all outings. These are routinely maintained to ensure children's safety is of paramount importance at all times. Children learn how to keep themselves safe through clear reminders to play This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 carefully and use resources sensibly.

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the early years provision

The childminder is guided in her daily practice by a comprehensive set of written policies and procedures that she regularly reviews to ensure they reflect her provision accurately. The childminder has begun to make a written self-evaluation of her provision. Currently she discusses the provision with her co-childminder in order to continually develop practice for the benefit of the children. This verbal interaction effectively identifies most strengths and areas for development. The childminder constantly drives improvement. For example, she has converted her garage to provide a dedicated childminding area with a quiet sleep floor and her husband has recently become registered so that he can offer optimum support to the children. The childminder has also completed the NVQ3 to underpin her daily practice with theoretical knowledge.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of local resources, such as the childminding group play sessions, and children can easily access all learning areas of the provision. All children are given equal consideration and their needs are effectively met.

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the early years provision

The partnership with parents is excellent and parents feel very well informed about their children's progress. Attractively presented daily diaries provide comprehensive information to parents about the care offered to the children and their daily activities. The childminder understands the value of effective links with the other provisions children attend and she ensures her provision is complementary. The provision is very well managed to ensure its sustainability and that of the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

Children play and learn happily in this well organised, welcoming provision. Their confidence demonstrates that they feel extremely safe in the childminder's care. The adults support play effectively by asking questions and discussing the activities that are freely chosen by the children. Wall displays show examples of children's work, demonstrating that the children's efforts are valued. Photographs of each child are available at child height to encourage children to recognise their peers and to promote friendships. Good behaviour is encouraged through a sticker award chart that promotes cooperative play amongst the youngest in the group.

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and outcomes for children

Children have free access to a wide range of resources that develop children's skills in all areas of learning. For example, they develop writing skills as they draw at the table and they make cards when someone is celebrating a birthday. Some resources reflect different cultures; however, the children's understanding of the cultures represented in the provision is not sufficiently supported at present. Group games encourage children to share and take turns. For example, the children join in with singing 'There was an old woman who swallowed a fly' as they use the props to illustrate the song. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children benefit from lots of fresh air and physical exercise both in the garden and at the local facilities, such as the nearby playground. Good hygiene procedures ensure that children are protected from the spread of infection. For example, after

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and outcomes for children

the children are changed they are encouraged to wash their hands to learn about how to avoid germs. Snacks of fruit and drinks in individual cups encourage children's understanding of how to promote a healthy lifestyle.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder regularly observes the children's activities and she clearly identifies the children's next steps in their learning. However, when activities are facilitated and planned, she does not always effectively encourage children to strive to achieve these next steps. Despite this, children are making good progress. Children's language skills are well supported as the childminder vocalises the children's activities for them and repeats back their attempts at communication. The childminder also supports children's language learning with the use of sign language. This is particularly appropriate for children with English as an additional language and clearly demonstrates how the childminder takes positive steps to meet the children's individual needs. 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 1 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 1 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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