Childminder in Southampton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY293644 Inspection date 17/02/2011 Inspector Bridget Copson

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and five years in the Mansbridge area of Southampton, Hampshire. Both floors of the house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available at the back of the house for outside play. The family has two Guinea pigs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time, three of whom may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding four children in the early years age group as well as children over five years to nine years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder delivers and collects children from the local schools.

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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's individual needs are met with care and consideration. This is enhanced by the very good partnerships established with parents, although not with all the other settings children also attend. Children's uniqueness is recognised by the childminder who knows them well, and provides a positive reflection of them all to promote their sense of belonging. Children's learning is planned, promoted and monitored well, and as a result, they are making good progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder values the importance of continuous development and has implemented improvements to her provision since the last inspection. She has developed a self-evaluation form to monitor the quality of care and learning she provides. However, whilst this identifies some areas for further improvement, it is less successful in monitoring all aspects of health and hygiene.

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further?

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

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further?

 keep the fridge clean and hygienic for children's food storage  develop links with all the other settings children attend to ensure activities are complementary to promote continuity and progression within the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder who has effective systems in place to assure their safety and well-being. She implements well organised and up This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to date policies, procedures and records to ensure good standards of health and safety in most areas. However, the fridge, which is used to store children food, is not kept clean. She has a secure understanding of her responsibilities and the procedures to follow in the event of any concerns to safeguard children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has successful systems to monitor and evaluate the quality of her provision in most areas. This includes an Ofsted self-evaluation form with some areas for improvement identified to benefit all children in her care. The childminder organises her time well to ensure her home is safe and welcoming for when children arrive. As a result, she is able to dedicate her time to observing, interacting and supervising children.

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the early years provision

Children behave well and are learning about the needs and feelings of others and what is expected of them. They are supported closely by the childminder who interacts with energy and enthusiasm, creating a cheerful and positive environment. She offers calm and consistent messages and encouragement and praise to promote their behaviour and attitudes. Children learn about diversity from those attending, within their local community as well as in the wider world. They also benefit from activities at the groups they attend and using a good range of resources at home.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established excellent partnerships with parents. They are provided with extensive information to support them in making an informed choice. Parents are kept very closely informed through daily communication, displays, detailed home books and newsletters. The views of parents and their children are valued and sought through contributing information to the home books, their child's assessment file and completing questionnaires. However, links with all the other settings children also attend is less successful to ensure activities are complementary to promote continuity and progression within the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a good range of well-maintained play provision and activities to promote their learning and development. This is all easily accessible to all ages to promote independent play. Children's learning is planned, monitored and promoted effectively by the childminder who knows them well. Parents are fully involved from the start through completing 'My Unique Child' booklets detailing their child's background, preferences and developmental stage. This information forms the basis of all future assessments. In addition, the childminder completes regular observations of children's progress to identify their interests and next steps of learning. Children's progress is them supported through a balance of free play and more challenging organised activities to help them achieve.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and settled and demonstrate a good sense of well-being in the childminder's care. For example, they explore with confidence, laugh together with the childminder and cuddle up to her with affection. Children express This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 themselves well. They use their developing language to share their needs, feelings and to ask for what they want. Opportunities to mark make for a purpose are provided both indoors and outside to support children's preferred play environment. Children count with the childminder in their play and are learning about number sequencing. They are learning about size and quantity and use the correct descriptive language, such as, big, small and more. Children are encouraged to be independent and to complete problem solving tasks in their play and self care routines.

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and outcomes for children

Children use their imaginations very well with many role play resources indoors and outside. For example, they use the hose to fill their car with petrol in the garden. They also play with small world sets and build with constructional activities. Children explore different media and materials in sensory and creative activities, such as scooping and pouring coloured dry rice, painting, drawing and modelling with dough. Children are involved within the local community, in which they attend regular groups each week as well as visiting the parks and playgrounds. They make good use of the garden for learning about growth through planting and harvesting fruit and vegetables for their snack times.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure within the childminder's care which they demonstrate through the warm and trusting relationships established. They are supported well in learning about keeping safe through guidance on road safety and stranger danger, managing steps and practising the fire evacuation procedure. Also, older children are encouraged to support younger ones in learning about safe play. Children's health is promoted well within a generally clean and hygienic environment. They are learning about good personal hygiene habits and benefit from healthy snacks and lunch boxes. Children's physical development and fitness is promoted effectively. They enjoy a good range of activities in the garden and out and about locally. This also provides active children the opportunity to run freely and play in the fresh air. 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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