Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY410831 Inspection date 16/12/2010 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 2010 and lives with her partner and two children aged two years and 10 years in a house in the Brookwood area of Woking. The home is close to local shops, parks, schools, pre-schools and public transport links. The childminder uses the ground floor for childminding purposes. Rest facilities are provided on the first floor if required. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play. The family have no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a total of three children under eight years, of whom two may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children on roll in the early years. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 overall quality of the provision is good. The childminders patient and consistent approach, and her ability to observe and assessing their individual learning and development are key strengths of the provision. She has a very caring approach and says 'her previous childcare experience as a nanny as well as her work with nurseries and schools, has helped her to understand and recognise the varying needs of different children' . Partnership with parents is good. Since registration the childminder has made some improvements to the provision, for example, by obtaining additional age appropriate resources. However, self- evaluation processes are not sufficiently robust, which means some areas of good practice have been missed.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the range of resources that reflect positive images of diversity to ensure they include disability.  promote continuity and coherence by sharing relevant information with other providers and parents where children receive education and care in more than one setting  develop a culture of reflective practice, self-evaluation and informed discussion with parents to identify the setting?s strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is fully safeguarded because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. This is supported through written policies and procedures which are shared with parents. Records of risk assessment show the action the childminder takes to reduce hazards, for example, in relation to children's health requirements on outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of the strengths of the provision, such as her ability to recognise and embrace what children like doing, and the 'one to one' time she spends with them. She has clear aims for continuous improvement, for example, to ensure that resources provide children with sufficient variety and challenge, particularly in relation to creative development. However, self evaluation processes do not include parents, and have not been fully implemented during the short time the childminder has been looking after children. In addition, the childminder has not taken steps to share the excellent records of children's progress with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage, to ensure continuity of care and learning.

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the early years provision

Children have access to a good variety of resources, complimented through regular visits to a Sure Start centre. The childminder ensures that play equipment is easily accessible and encourages children to make independent choices. The garden has a small slide, rocker, playhouse, footballs and a sand tray, all of which successfully capture children's interest in playing outdoors. The childminder promotes children's inclusion through her own interaction in their play, and where possible ensures they have the same resources, so they can all take part. For example, when children choose to use a mouth organ she finds extra ones, and sustains their interest in using these resources by singing songs such as the 'Grand old Duke of York'. There are some accessible resources that reflect positive images of diversity such as books, dolls, and play people, although these do not include disability.

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the early years provision

Good communication with parents means that information about children's individual needs is shared. This is successfully achieved through informal daily communication and the use of a 'home book' which includes details of activities and each child's day. Children's 'learning journeys' are made available for parents to see, and include compressive observations and assessments that identify the next step for children's individual learning. Letters from parents include very positive comments. For example, they say ' I am really happy and impressed with the range of activities that the childminder does with my two children. They always seem to be colouring, painting, sticking and reading. Overall we are very happy with the care, and would uncertainly recommend the childminder to other parents'. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and settled and show enthusiasm and independence as they use play equipment and explore the childminders home. They form good relationships, and learn to share the resources, take turns, and be kind to each other. The childminder supports the choices that children make by helping them to select play equipment from an easily accessible 'walk in' cupboard. They have good opportunities to socialise during weekly visits to a Sure Start centre, where they access a range of resources and activities, and particularly enjoy playing with the sand, water and paint.

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and outcomes for children

Toddlers are well supported with developing self-help skills and are beginning to learn to feed themselves. They copy words they hear the childminder say, for example, as they hide behind a curtain, and say ' boo' as they play hide and seek games. Children show interest in listening to stories and enjoy sitting on the childminders lap to look at pictures in books and photographs. They are beginning to make marks as they paint and use chalk. Children are supported with problem solving as they use a good range of resources. Photographs in assessment records show they enjoy using puzzles and attempt to insert the pieces correctly. They are beginning to learn about number through singing rhymes and everyday conversations and routines such as counting their shoes, gloves and socks, whilst dressing to go outside. Children learn how things work as they press electronic buttons on a pirate ship and use programmable resources such as a remote

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and outcomes for children

controlled bee and robot. They have good opportunities to explore the environment as they walk through Autumn leaves and play in the snow

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to develop control of their movements as they climb on and off small wheeled toys. Outings to a soft play facility and to a local park enable them to develop their physical skills. They gain control of their movements as they dive into the ball pit at soft play facilities and like playing on the swings, slide and roundabout at the park. Children enjoy being in the childminders garden, for example, as they use a small playhouse and rocking horses, and they develop their hand and eye co-ordination as the childminder helps them to hit balls with crocket sticks.

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and outcomes for children

Children play imaginatively as they use a play cooker and put pretend food on plates, which they give to the childminder. They recognise and take part in familiar action songs such as 'Head shoulders knees and toes' during circle times at a toddler group. They have regular opportunities to join in a music group where they use musical instruments such as drums, bells, and shakers. Children develop their creativity as they use paint, and make collage pictures.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure. The childminder is very observant of toddlers movements and supervises them well, for example to ensure they do not take risks such as climbing on furniture and play equipment. They sit in appropriate seating at a table for meal and snack times, and are provided with healthy home cooked food by their parents, which the childminder re-heats. She has a good knowledge of children's allergies, ensures information is obtained from parents about the use This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of epipens, and is extremely vigilant and aware of risks when she takes children to toddler groups and other facilities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with a good range of experiences. For example, they are taken on regular outings to a wide variety of places that include opportunities to explore the environment, such as visits to a local canal, woodland areas, to the library, and shops. The childminder encourages children to take the lead in their play, and initiates conversation as she helps them to use resources. She stays close to the children and supervises them at all times, so they learn to share the play equipment and behave appropriately. Children's learning journeys show the childminders ability to assess children's development and progress. They include regular observations in each area of learning, photographs and details of children's achievements in relation to the Early Years Foundation Stage as well as clear aims for their individual learning. 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 3 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 3

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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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