Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY395348 Inspection date 21/10/2010 Inspector Lynne Lewington

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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 was registered in 2009. She lives with her husband and two children in Guildford, Surrey close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The premises are accessed via a level pathway from a quiet residential road. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding. There is an enclosed secure garden available for outside play.

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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. There are currently five early years children on roll. The childminder also offers care to children aged five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder can collect children from the local school. the family have a pet cat.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children experience excellent opportunities to make good progress in all areas of their development with this kind, gentle caring childminder. Excellent informative relationships with parents enable positive partnerships to ensure children's needs are met effectively. The childminder reflects on her work and strives to continue to extend her knowledge for the benefits of the young children in her care.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 develop links with other settings children attend

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the early years provision

A clear awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse and a sound understanding of the action she must take if concerned about a child helps to ensure the young children are safeguarded. Clear written policies support the childminder in her safeguarding role. Sensible effective safety measures taken throughout the premises ensure the children play in a safe environment. The doors are secure, stair gates are in place, cupboards secure, smoke detectors are in place and regular fire drills are undertaken to ensure the premises can be evacuated swiftly if required. Comprehensive risk assessments are in place for the setting, outings and also for the individual children identifying potential hazards and risks in relation to their age and development. These are regularly updated. A well equipped first aid This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 kit is available and the childminder ensures her first aid certificate is kept up to

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the early years provision

date to enable accidents to be dealt with efficiently.

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the early years provision

The exceptionally clean and well maintained environment is well equipped for the needs of the young children. They move freely between the two playrooms and have space to play on play mats on the floor, at the table or can sit comfortably on the sofa to enjoy stories and cuddles. Children can easily reach the good quality age appropriate resources and make choices. The garden provides a very attractive safe and secure outdoor play environment where children can use wheeled toys, climb the low level slide, uses balls and the swings with supervision.

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the early years provision

In this multi cultural setting, all the children speak English as an additional language. The childminder can speak and understand the language of the majority of children and has gathered key words from another parent to enable her to understand when the child communicates. She ensures there are books, pictures and posters of children around the setting which reflect those who use her service. Small world figures also reflect our diverse society enabling children to identify with characters they may see on their outings in the local community. The childminder plans activities to increase the children?s awareness of the diverse array of cultures and traditions around them. Parents are encouraged to share their cultures and traditions to increase the children?s understanding and awareness of each other. They have made items for Easter, and Eid The detailed information the childminder gathers indicates clearly how she treats

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the early years provision

every child as an individual recognising not only their current development but also their interests, sleep patterns and dietary needs.

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the early years provision

Parents comment on the service provided very favourably. They feel their children thoroughly enjoy attending and participating in the many activities both in the home and in the local community. They praise the childminder for her gentle, calm and caring attitude towards the children and how she makes them feel welcome. Parents feel well informed about their child's day and the progress they are making through the records and link book the childminder provides.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses local children's activities ensuring children have many opportunities to develop their social skills and confidence with adults and children. The childminder also welcomes advice and support from the network childminders and the local authority training opportunities. She recognises the importance of developing positive links with others who may care for children for whom she also provides care and is planning to develop this area of her service.

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and outcomes for children

Children make excellent progress in the childminders care. She is observant and innovative ensuring children have opportunities to explore and develop their interests and skills. A young child who speaks very little English sings along with action songs and clearly has started to understand as the child follows the childminders verbal direction. Children enjoy a broad range of activities, they play This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the musical instruments playing along to the beat and singing. Sometimes they dance to the music. The childminder knows what they like to do but encourages the children to participate in the decision making and she introduces new ideas and experiences. They grew sunflowers in the summer, watering them and watching them grow into giant flowers. She talks to the children calmly and quietly and praises meaningfully for their efforts. Children develop their physical skills well

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and outcomes for children

as they use the wheeled toys in the garden and enjoy the motion of the swing. The childminder encourages the children to be independent. She is patient and waits for the children to put on their wellingtons and coats, helping if needed but allowing the child the time and space to succeed independently. The childminder encourages the children to count as they do all sorts of activities from eating raisins to putting their cups on the table. They use shape sorters and puzzles and show increasing awareness of pattern as they line up cars. Children enjoy using dough, they feel the texture and make marks with tools developing fine skills. The childminder thinks of new ways children can develop skills using different activities. For example, a child fascinated by rolling a ball down the slide, later plays with the garage and identifies the same effect when he puts the car at the top of the garage ramp. The childminder knows the children's starting points because she

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and outcomes for children

observes them and gathers comprehensive information from parents; she plans activities and experiences taking this into account. Journals and observations are shared with parents each term.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate a high sense of security in this setting. Children learn about the dangers of fire and what they have to do if they need to leave the premises swiftly, stories, puzzles and small world figures help to build the children's awareness. Children are encouraged to think about safety as they play outdoors, using play equipment carefully. For example, an older child strokes the baby just as the adult does and patiently waits as the baby walks in front. Gentle reminders to older children encourage calm behaviour near the baby. The childminder encourages the children's independence as they learn to use eating implements carefully, to serve themselves, to carry and pour a drink at the table. These simple routines and activities all help the children to develop an awareness of safe behaviour and confidence in their own abilities.

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and outcomes for children

Children show excellent awareness of good hygiene routines for their age, independently washing and drying hands. Childminder demonstrates an excellent encouraging attitude towards toilet training. She responds to an accident calmly, encouraging and ensuring the event is managed quickly , hygienically and effectively enabling the child to go back to play without trauma. Children enjoy excellent quality physical outdoor activity everyday, they run, climb, and carry items developing their physical skills in the garden , at the park or the soft play areas. Activities with crayons, paint and dough provide opportunities to develop finer skills as they use tools. Children enjoy the social occasion of mealtimes when they sit to the table with the childminder to enjoy a healthy nutritious meal. The childminder cooks the meals in advance in order that they can be reheated and ready for lunchtime each day. The menu includes meat/fish/vegetables, pasta and

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and outcomes for children

rice dishes presented attractively followed by fruit enabling the children to develop a taste for healthy eating. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children benefit from opportunities to participate in a range of activities in their local community such as toddler groups, swimming activities and, soft play areas where they develop their social skill when they meet other adults and children. Good manners are encouraged by the childminders example. Children help to put away their activities when they have finished and the childminder sits with them to help. This sets a good example and helps to ensure children value the resources. She makes it fun and offers meaningful praise encouraging the children to help. 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 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 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 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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