Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 507363 Inspection date 18/11/2010 Inspector ISP Inspection

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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 2000, She lives with her husband and 2 children over the age of 16 years in Leatherhead, Surrey. The whole of the house is used for childminding purposes, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary Childcare Registers to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 2 children in the early years age group. She also provides care for children over the age of 8 years, and currently has 2 children on roll in this age group. The childminder is also registered to work with an assistant. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the parent and toddler group and takes children to the local library and to the park. The family have two cats. The childminder is an accredited member of the Surrey Childminding Network and provides funded early education.

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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

The overall quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminders exceptional drive and enthusiasm, and her ability to work in partnership to meet children's individual needs, are key strengths of the setting. Her positive interaction and communication significantly promotes and supports all areas of children's learning and development. Self-evaluation processes are exemplary. The childminder consistently reflects on the quality of her practice and introduces new initiatives that improve outcomes for children. She says 'she has clear aims to have fun with children, be loving and really care about them, and to ensure all records are working documents that are useful to herself, parents and other providers'.

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further?

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

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further?

 display up to date public liability insurance for the provision.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is fully safeguarded because the childminder the childminder has an exceptional knowledge of child protection procedures, and there are systems in place to ensure the suitability of all household members. Comprehensive risk assessments are used to keep children safe. Continuous improvement to the quality of the provision is outstanding. Since the last inspection, the childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 has attended numerous training events and has obtained a certificate in Early Years, that has significantly enhanced her knowledge of childminding practice. For example, she says 'she understands the reason why guidance says to follow the children's interests, and that this gives her the confidence to talk about children's development in a more informed way'. All recommendations from the last inspection have been met.

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the early years provision

The childminder dedicates her time to joining in children's play in an exceptionally non- intrusive way. She asks questions in a fun way that consistently extends their learning, and uses her in-depth knowledge of their individual developmental progress to enter into the spirit of their play. Children's inclusion is successfully captured, for example, as they actively join in with activities such as playing 'hide and seek' with dolls house people. The childminder has an exemplary knowledge of children's individual needs and abilities, which she acts on to help them reach their full developmental potential. Excellent use is made of all areas of the childminders home. The accessibility of a wide range of resources, means children are provided with a wide range of experiences and learning opportunities. A photographic resource includes pictures that help children to understand equality. These images are used as a basis for discussion, and include pictures such as girls playing

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the early years provision

football, and different celebrations, as well as solar cooking in other countries such as Nepal. Children learn about diversity through television programmes and discussions about disabled people and activities that they can take part in, such as, flying a plane, sailing, and going swimming. The childminder says that this 'opens up children's knowledge of what disabled people can do'. She has an excellent knowledge of how to meet children's special needs.

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the early years provision

Partnership is outstanding. The childminder focuses on children's individual strengths and weaknesses and has an exceptional knowledge of how to support them as individuals. She works closely with parents to identify the next steps for learning and says 'that although she is doing the same activities with children she has an excellent recognition that they are developing at different rates'. The childminder ensures that she spends time with each child individually to promote learning according to their differing abilities, and uses observation to ensure children are confident in their achievements before moving them on. She embraces the 'wow moments' and ensures that children's records are regularly given to parents to take home and share with extended family. Assessment records include photographs and numerous samples of children's creative work, and developmental targets and dates of achievement are clearly recorded and regularly

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the early years provision

reviewed. The childminder has an excellent knowledge of how to work in partnership with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to meet children's individual needs. She has clear aims to help children settle into new provision, and share her assessment records and planning with pre-schools so that children's experiences are complemented.

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the early years provision

Self-evaluation is exceptional. The childminder has devised an appraisal form in relation to the 'Every Child Matters' outcomes that is used to seek parents views about her service. These records show that parents are extremely happy with the provision. For example, comments include ' the regular child progress reports are extremely detailed and are great to read, and photographs and ideas are really lovely, and ensure we don't miss out on any of the important early years'. Parents This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 receive regular comprehensive written reports about their children that cover all areas of learning, and are a true reflection of the childminders outstanding observation and assessment abilities. The childminder has an excellent insight into the importance of respecting parents wishes, sharing expectations about the service, and ability to anticipate any problems that may come up as things change.

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and outcomes for children

Children's learning and development is outstanding. They are extremely well behaved and understand what is expected. They are very accepting of others needs, do everything together, and develop excellent manners. Children have good opportunities to socialise with other children and form new friendships through outings to a respite centre with soft play facilities, a childminding group, gym club, and family centre. They show excellent concentration, persist with activities, and are beginning to develop good self- help skills, for example, through pouring drinks at snack time, helping to cut up vegetables, cleaning their teeth, and dressing themselves. The childminder videos herself using a persona doll and talks about issues and changes in children's lives such as starting school and bullying. This enables children to come up with their own solutions and for the childminder to develop her understanding of issues for children, for example in relation to their

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and outcomes for children

language. The childminder uses this knowledge to initiate role play opportunities that help children learn how to deal with situations and overcome difficulties

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and outcomes for children

Children have an excellent range of vocabulary. They listen and communicate with confidence and engage in complex conversations that require them to say what they know and understand. The childminder introduces descriptive words and encourages children to talk about their feelings, and develop strategies for managing any frustrations. Children's interest in books is successfully captured through the childminders ability to read stories in an age appropriate and animated way. She encourages children to choose favourite books and organises story times so that children sit next to her on the sofa, and snuggle up under blankets. An electronic 'communication book' with photographs and recordings of children's, parents and the childminders voices, is an effective tool used to promote children's language development.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop an understanding of number and size. For example, with the childminders support they identify that toy dogs are too big to fit inside their kennels, and count in numerical order up to six, as they make balls from play dough. They are encouraged to remember and say the number of the childminders house as they play with a toy post office van, and enter in conversation about deliveries of parcels. Children have a good understanding of how to operate simple computer programmes, and are beginning to develop good mouse control, for example, as they follow instructions. They enthusiasm for technology is evident as they colour in shapes on the screen, and sing along to songs. Children have a good understanding of how to operate favourite programmable toys, such as a fire engine, helicopter and car. Assessment records show they have excellent opportunities to use a wide range of resources to learn how things work, for

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 example, during visits to a respite centre, where they use torches to explore a dark room, and operate moving parts such as cogs and wheels, on an 'exploration wall'. Children are beginning to develop a knowledge and understanding of diversity as they use books and other resources.

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and outcomes for children

Photographs show that children have regular opportunities to use large equipment in local parks, such as slides and asymmetrical bars. They learn to balance on beams in weekly sessions at a gym club, and attend 'fun in foam' sessions where they develop very good confidence and control of their movements, for example as they jump from high platforms into safe areas. Children develop their creativity, for example, as they use paint and cars to make tracks, use rollers, make collages, play dough, and gloop. The easy accessibility of art and craft resources in the conservatory, means that children can choose to be creative at any time during the day, and benefit from initiating their own designs. These opportunities are fully embraced by the childminder, who recognises that the children's involvement with preparing their own resources is a valuable part of the learning experience, for example, as they are encouraged to squeeze out the paint they have chosen.

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and outcomes for children

Observations and photographs show that children use their imagination in all areas of play, and enjoy listening to theatre productions such as 'the very hungry caterpillar at a local children's centre.

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and outcomes for children

Children have an excellent understanding of how to keep themselves safe. This is because the childminder sets clear explanations of what she expects, is exceptionally patient, and recognises and praises children when they remember the rules and use their initiative. The use of small world play resources to initiate conversations, helps children to understand danger and how their actions can affect other peoples feelings and make them concerned. Childrens understanding of how to stay healthy is excellent. They eat fresh fruit with enthusiasm, and use low level wipe charts to record what they have eaten in relation to 'five a day' nutritional guidance. A poster displayed next to the kitchen table captures children's interest and they regularly look for the types of healthy food they eat. The childminder's positive approach to working in partnership with parents and other agencies means that any health issues are overcome. She has an excellent

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and outcomes for children

range of policies and procedures that promote children's health, and holds a level 2 food hygiene certificate, which has recently been updated. 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 1 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 1

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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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