Childminder in East Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY283216 Inspection date 22/02/2011 Inspector Alison Weaver

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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 has been registered since 2004. She has a recognised childcare qualification. She lives with her husband and one teenage child in a house in the Hampden Park area of Eastbourne near to schools, parks and shops. The whole of the ground floor, an upstairs bathroom and bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder has guinea pigs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder offers overnight care for two children. The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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, well occupied and make good progress towards the early learning goals. Overall, the assessment system is used well to plan relevant experiences for each child that will help them continue to achieve and meet their needs. Effective procedures and practices help ensure that individual children's safety, welfare and good health are well promoted. The childminder is in the process of building strong links with parents to involve them in children's learning and development. The childminder shows a firm commitment to continuing to make further improvements to her childcare practices and improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further opportunities for parents to contribute to children's learning and assessment  develop further the use of observations to assess children's individual progress and plan for their future learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder keeps herself up-to-date with safeguarding procedures by attending training. This helps her to ensure that she is fully aware of how to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 recognise possible signs of abuse and that she has effective arrangements for safeguarding children in her care. The environment in which children are cared for is safe and secure. The wide range of toys and resources are kept in good condition and are suitable for the age of the children present. The childminder carries out thorough risk assessments on the home that help her identify and minimise hazards effectively so that children play free from harm. She also makes good use of risk assessments for each child to identify any specific areas of safety concern for individual children. All other documentation to support and promote individual children's welfare is in place and well maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents to give the necessary care and meet the needs of every child. Children's home backgrounds are acknowledged and respected. Parents are encouraged to share their traditions with all the children to help them understand about differences in society. Parents are kept well informed about their child's achievement, well-being and development through the successful use of daily sheets and regular access to the learning records. The childminder is developing effective ways in which parents can share what they know about their child and continue children's learning at home.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms good links with providers who share the care of individual children. This helps to ensure continuity of learning and to promote their welfare. She is fully aware of the need to work closely with interagency teams when she identifies a child as needing additional support.

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the early years provision

Since the last inspection, the childminder has improved safety in the garden so it is now suitable for outdoor play. She has completed a childcare qualification and attended various other short courses to develop her knowledge and to enable her to improve outcomes for children. The childminder shows a realistic understanding of her strengths and has made good use of a quality assurance scheme to review her practices and identify areas for further development that she feels will benefit children.

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and outcomes for children

Children happily arrive at the setting and quickly make themselves at home. They show their independence is developing well as they take off their own coats and boots. They find their favourite activities to play with and soon become absorbed in their play. Children concentrate well at activities and enjoy their time with the childminder. They build good relationships with her and learn to share and show concern for others. Children like to play alongside each other and babies take an interest in what the older children are doing. Younger children confidently investigate their world as they crawl around and find out how to make the toys work. Older children become well equipped with the skills they need to secure future learning, for example, they problem solve and learn to use different forms of technology.

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and outcomes for children

Children have fun playing with the doll's house and play kitchen. They use their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 imagination well as they use the various props to pretend to go shopping and then put the play food they have bought in the toy fridge. They make cheese on toast for their friends and drinks for the adults. Children thoroughly enjoy mark making, using a pencil crayon in each hand to make big circular movements on the paper. They also have a varied range of opportunities where they experience crafts and explore different materials such as gloop, muddy puddles, bark rubbing and coloured rice.

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and outcomes for children

Overall, the childminder has good systems in place for observing and assessing children's progress. However, the recorded evidence to back the ongoing assessment and identification of learning priorities for each child is not extensive. Children make good progress in their learning as the childminder interacts effectively with them as they play to extend their thinking and develop their language skills. This results in children being confident speakers who readily share their experiences and thoughts. Babies learn to express their feelings through gestures and sounds. The childminder gives all the children plenty of support and encouragement that helps build their confidence and self-esteem. Children proudly talk about the stickers they have received to celebrate their achievements. All children are valued and they take part in a wide range of activities that help them to respect and value diversity.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted well through good everyday hygiene practices and planned activities. They learn about what is good to eat as they go shopping to do a fruit tasting activity and grow their own vegetables in the garden. Children engage in a wide variety of outings where they develop their physical skills and enjoy fresh air and exercise. These fun outings also help children learn how to stay safe as they practise road crossing and talk about stranger danger. Children show a strong sense of safety and security as they confidently approach adults in the setting. 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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