Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY408878 Inspection date 15/12/2010 Inspector Carol Willett

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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 registered in 2010. She lives with her husband and their young child in Farnborough, Hampshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding. Children go upstairs to use the playroom. Sleeping and toilet facilities are also upstairs. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as pre-schools, parks, the library and toddler groups. The family have two cats. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. Of these, no more than one may be under one year at any one time. There are currently four children in her care of whom three are in the early years age group. She has a level 3 childcare qualification and is a member of the

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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 is caring and friendly and she provides a welcoming family environment so children are confident and play happily in her home. The childminder organises all aspects of her setting well so children have lots of choice during free play and planned activities. She develops strong relationships with the children, their parents and other settings children attend, which enables her to have a good understanding of and value children?s individual needs. She is committed to improving her practices and realises the benefit of reflection and evaluation, although this is in the early stages. Most documentation is in place to ensure she is meeting all the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips  improve systems for the evaluation of practice, through using the Ofsted on- line self-evaluation form for example, to identify strength and weakness and action needed to ensure continually improving practice; enable parents to be involved in the process. 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 promoted well as the childminder has a good knowledge of the requirements of registration and of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has a clear understanding of her role and responsibilities with regard to safeguarding children; she is confident in her knowledge of the signs of abuse and who to contact should she have any concerns. She has a good range of documentation and written policies to support her practice and these are all shared with parents. Children show they feel safe and secure in the childminder's care as young children quickly settle for a sleep after lunch and they readily go to her for comfort and support. They practise fire evacuation to develop awareness and confidence in an emergency. The childminder is safety conscious and closely supervises children at all times. For example, she regularly checks on children as they sleep. She takes positive measures to keep children safe in her home and when out and about. She

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the early years provision

completes daily checks and has written records of risk assessments for her home. The childminder does not currently keep a record of risk assessments for outings, though her attentiveness and close supervision limits the impact this has on children's safety. For example, she does visual checks, takes her mobile phone with children's contact details and a first aid kit; she keeps parents informed of where she is going.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops positive partnerships with parents and she seeks feedback through daily discussions to understand the children and their needs. She has developed effective communication systems and shares a variety of information through daily diaries, children's development records and her documentation, policies and procedures. Feedback from children's key carers, when children attend nursery, are discussed over lunch with the children and then recorded in children's daily diaries. This ensures continuity of care for the children and keeps parents up to date.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a professional approach to childminding and she is enthusiastic about promoting children's welfare and supporting their development. She has an appropriate qualification in children's care and education and she uses her skills and experience from working in nurseries to fully support children's welfare and plan for their learning. She realises the benefit of self-evaluation, although this is in the early stages, and has begun to identify areas and actions for improvement. The childminder organises her home well so children can make choices. She provides a broad range of resources and activities for the children both inside and outside her home so they are interested and motivated to learn.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a caring, gentle manner and children play happily as they are secure and confident in her home. She has good interactive skills using her considerable childcare experience, from working in nurseries, to support and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 extend children play and learning. The childminder takes photographs and observes the children during their play. She records details in their early learning journals so she can track their progress in the all learning areas. She identifies their next steps in learning and uses these in her planning. She gently questions children during play to make them think and to reinforce learning. For example, they count the number of paper chains they have made and measure how long their chains are. They name their favourite colours and choose how to decorate them. Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills as they use

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and outcomes for children

a wide variety of tools, such as paint brushes and scissors. They play with toys in the garden and go to local parks. Children learn about healthy lifestyles and exercise as they go to baby gym sessions and go further afield to visit Alice Holt forest for nature walks. Children are confident communicators and they organise their thoughts well as they engage in imaginative play. They talk to themselves developing scenarios with cars and the garage. They enjoy looking at books cuddled up on the sofa with the childminder who constantly chatters to them. Children develop in confidence and self-esteem as the childminder offers meaningful praise and encouragement as they play.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder knows children's individual needs and personalities well through discussions with parents and her observations. She quickly notices when children are tired after lunch. The familiar routines ensure children are secure in the childminder's care and so they settle well to sleep. Children behave well as they are actively occupied and supported appropriately by the childminder. Their paintings and craft work are displayed in the dining room showing that their efforts are valued and develops their sense of belonging. The childminder provide an inclusive environment ensuring all children have opportunities to do planned activities. Children have access to positive images of diversity in their books and they learn about cultural events through craft activities. They meet different people and develop social skills through regular outings in the local community, such as to toddler groups. The range of activities provided ensures children develop skills for

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is promoted effectively as the childminder follows good hygiene procedures and she provides a safe, comfortable, clean, child-friendly home. The childminder has effective policies and procedures in place that protect children from illness and infection. For example, she has good nappy changing procedures and individual towels for use after hand washing which minimises the risk of any cross-infection. Pets are vaccinated and they have all required treatments for worms and fleas which minimises risks to children's health. Children enjoy healthy home cooked food, such as tomato soup with cheese cubes and toast for lunch. They choose what fruit or yoghurts they want for after. Drinks are easily accessible. The childminder maintains a good range of documentation so she has a good awareness of information about children's dietary and medical needs. 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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