Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 155445 Inspection date 11/10/2010 Inspector Teresa Elkington

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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 2001. She lives with her twelve year old son in Crawley, West Sussex. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local carer and toddler group and takes children to the local library and parks.

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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 the age of eight years and is currently has one child who attends on a full-time basis who is in the early years age range. Registration also includes both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 happy and settled in the care of the childminder who knows them well, which ensures that their individual needs are recognised and met. The childminder promotes children's learning and development well, through a wide variety of stimulating play experiences. Ongoing liaison with parents ensures that individual needs are met and individuality is respected. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude and commitment to continuous improvement and has takes appropriate steps to identify and improve the quality of the service she offers.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the use of risk assessments to ensure that all activities that children are involved in are assessed  develop the recordings of evacuation drills to show details of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  develop the use of the two-way flow of information, knowledge and expertise between parents, to help support and extend children's learning and development

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her role in promoting the welfare of the children in her care and to ensure that they are safeguarded from harm. Her awareness and understanding of child protection is sound, and she is confident as to the steps that she would take if she had concerns about a child in her care. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 carries out regular and well documented risk assessments of her home and garden to ensure any hazards are minimised to support the ongoing safety of the children, however, risk assessments are not routinely carried out for all outings that children may undertake. A clear evacuation procedure is in place which is practiced at regular intervals, raising children's awareness of the procedures that they should follow in the event of an emergency. However, no assessment is undertaken to evaluate the success of the evacuation process. All of the required documentation

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the early years provision

The home environment is organised effectively to support children's learning and welfare. The play equipment and resources are of good quality and easily accessed, enabling children to make informed choices as to what they wish to play with. The resources catalogue which has been complied by the childminder using words and pictures provides children with visual reminders of the resources that are stored in cupboards providing them with a variety of choice. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to enhancing her own professional development and that of her provision. She makes good use of self-evaluation, enabling her to identify her strengths and areas in the provision that would benefit form further development. One example of this, is the development of the outside play area which was highlighted by the children using her service.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are well fostered. There are effective systems in place to ensure ongoing exchanges of information, which include regular reviews of care routines and developmental progress. However, a shared approach to learning is yet to be fully established to ensure that parents are involved fully in planning for children's next steps in their future development. The childminder is aware to make links with other settings where children may attend to support children's continuity in their care and learning. Children's individual backgrounds are known by the childminder which enables her to develop their awareness of their own and others cultures through activities and discussion which enhances their understanding and respect for others.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very relaxed and happy in the childminder's welcoming family home and respond positively to the reassuring and friendly approach of the childminder. They show delight and enthusiasm as they explore and participate in a range of purposeful play activities which are supportive of their individual needs and desires. Independence is fully encouraged as they freely access a range of good quality resources within a well organised home. Children make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder has a good knowledge of the six areas of learning which enables her to provide a rich and relaxed learning environment for the children in her care. She maintains good records of the children's development which are comprehensive and accurately reflects their progress and achievements. Children's next steps are clearly indentified with information being used to inform future planning.

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Behaviour management strategies are clearly set out in the childminder's policy which is shared with parents to ensure a consistent approach. Children have warm and caring relationships with the childminder. She helps children feel good about themselves by frequently providing positive support, praise and encouragement for their efforts. Children learn about diversity within society through resources and activities that interest them. Children awareness of adopting a healthy lifestyle is well supported by the childminder. They enjoy daily opportunities to enjoy fresh air and physical activity through visit to local parks, walks and playtimes in the garden. Children enjoy a range of healthy meals which are provided for them by their parents. The childminder supplements this with healthy options at snack time. Children have access to drinking water which they readily access, allowing them to

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and outcomes for children

respond to their bodily needs. Children are encouraged to develop their understanding of safety as they learn the importance of road safety when out and about. Their awareness of keeping themselves healthy and prevent the spread of infection is well promoted as they use their own individual towels.

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and outcomes for children

Children are involved and fully engaged as they enjoy their own initiated play activities. They enjoy many opportunities to develop their skills in relation to problem-solving, communicating and exploration. They have access to small world and role play resources which enables them to act out scenarios which they see in their day to day lives. For example, as child imitates the sound of the fire engine, which he pushes around the road mat and parking it at the fire station. They enjoy using a range of programmable toys which encouraged them to push buttons and wait for the responses, providing good opportunities for the childminder to engaged children in conversations about their immediate and wider world. For example, as they play with the interactive 'Bob the Builder' and listen to the commentary as the world globe revolves. The childminder helps children to recognise numbers shapes and colours in their daily play. Children's interest in

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and outcomes for children

books is encouraged from an early age as they select reading matter which is appropriate for their age and stages of development and make regular visits to the library. The enjoy using a range of creative resources which encourages their use of their small muscles and inspires their creative flairs. Overall, children thrive in a setting where they are free to learn, explore and have fun which is supported by a childminder who values children as individuals and provides good opportunities for them to grow and flourish. 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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