Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY398729 Inspection date 05/11/2010 Inspector Amanda Tyson

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 lives with her parents in a house in Epsom Surrey. Her mother is also a registered childminder at the same property. The premises are located close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding. The family have three cats and a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. When working with another registered childminder at the same premises they are registered to care for a maximum of six at any one time of whom all can be in the early years age range. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to collect children from local schools and visits toddler groups and libraries on a regular basis. The childminder works together with her co-minder. The childminder has two children on roll within the early years age group. Her co-childminder has four.

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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 made a good start to her childcare business. Children are cared for in a safe, secure and well organised environment. The childminder's knowledge and understanding of children's individual interests and emotional needs, along with her developing partnerships with parents and others involved with children, ensures that equality and diversity is effectively promoted. Children are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder demonstrates good capacity to achieve her vision of future excellence.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue on the path of professional development and use the knowledge to further improve planning; challenge children's critical thinking skills more within activities and develop knowledge and understanding of children's 'schemas'  continue to develop partnerships working to ensure that children receive a triangulation of consistent learning support between their different settings. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe and secure, warm and welcoming environment. Accidents and any pre-existing injuries are noted and monitored for any emerging patterns which may indicate concerns. The childminder's knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures is secure and clearly explained to parents in a written statement. Risk assessment, for both the premises and individual venues that the childminder takes children to, is rigorously carried out. All records and documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the setting are in place and well maintained. Children are very well supervised at all times and the childminder vigilantly protects them from un-vetted adults.

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the early years provision

Information about children's welfare, and personal, social, emotional and cultural needs is very well shared between parents and other early years providers. For example, a verbal exchange at the end of each day as well as the thorough use of a daily diary. The childminder is currently working to achieve this high level of effectiveness with regards to children's learning and development. She carries out, and documents, sensitive observational assessments which identify children's starting points for learning and their subsequent individual journey towards the early learning goals, including what they next need help with to develop. These records provide a clear picture of children's individual interests and help considerably to ensure that equality and diversity is promoted effectively. The childminder is currently working towards securing an effective method for sharing this useful information with parents and early years partners; to ensure

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the early years provision

consistency of learning support for children. Parents report that children look forward to attending and they greatly appreciate the informative daily diaries.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic and keen to develop her knowledge and skills. She has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form which prioritises professional training, and strengthening her partnerships with parents and external agencies. Additional safety strategies are currently being explored for outings to ensure all possible eventualities have been thought through, for example when visiting a busy farm. The childminder demonstrates good capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, very settled and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging in the childminder's care. They confidently express their thoughts and ideas for play, and are keen to attempt new skills and take part in different activities. The childminder listens to what children have to say and makes observational assessments of their interests and capabilities. She uses this information to plan activities that she knows they will enjoy. For example, children squealed with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 laughter when the childminder emptied a huge pile of shredded paper onto the floor; proceeding to bury themselves and shower each other before using it to stuff the body of their Guy Fawkes. The play kitchen is equipped with pots and pans and play dough and situated next to the sand which leads to the creation of 'interesting dinners'. Children know where resources, such as dressing up

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and outcomes for children

costumes are kept and help themselves. When toddlers 'make tea for penguin' they are helped to think about safety rules, such as not touching a hot oven. Through the daily routine children learn the importance of good personal hygiene.

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and outcomes for children

Children keep physically active through daily outdoor play and experiences. They enjoy nature walks, visiting the farm, making dens in the garden, riding bikes and using play park apparatus. Children's understanding of shape and colour is enhanced by real experiences such as visiting the aquarium and observing all the different types of fish. They love to feed the local horses and ducks. Children are quick to look for the dustpan when they notice the floor is messy and cannot believe their luck when they are invited to help the childminder use the real hoover. Activities such as these help children to develop knowledge and understanding of their immediate world. Regular trips to the library, cosy storytimes towards the end of the day and opportunities to use pencils is helping to encourage literacy skills. Equality and diversity is raised through various festival related creative activities, and the provision of some play resources, such as small

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and outcomes for children

Overall, children are making good progress in their learning and development and they clearly enjoy attending. However, their starting points are high and critical thinking and problem solving skills are not consistently encouraged enough. For example, although the children stuffed 'Guy Fawkes' with the shredded paper he was pre-prepared by the childminder, including his facial features. The children particularly those of school age, are capable of being more involved. Nonetheless, the childminder has the drive to develop a higher level of understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is, therefore, well placed to achieve her vision of excellence in 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 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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