Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY339297 Inspection date 28/01/2011 Inspector Anne Nicholson

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two school aged children in a residential area close to Bordon, Whitehill, Alton and Liphook in Hampshire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. Mainly the ground floor is used for childminding and this comprises of a conservatory, den, lounge and kitchen/dining area. There is a fully enclosed outside play area. The upstairs is used for sleeping children and accessing the toilet within the bathroom. She has two cats as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Year Register, compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. When working with an assistant she can care for a maximum of eight children under eight years where no more than four of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding six children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder drops and collects children from the local school and nursery and goes to Children's Centres and other children activity sessions. She holds an NNEB childcare qualification. She is a member of an approved childminding network, she is a community childminder and a support childminder and currently receives early education funding for three-year-old.

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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

Children's individual needs, routines and learning requirements are exemplary met through the implementation of comprehensive planning and effective use of resources. Children thrive and are highly valued as individuals. The childminder's dedication to her ongoing professional development results in excellent continual improvement. The partnerships with parents, nurseries and schools are a key strength.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance methods used to record children's starting points and achievements to further support the childminder when identifying next steps for learning and reviewing overall developmental progress This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Safeguarding children remains a focus of the childminder. She has a comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding issues and attends additional safeguarding training sessions and network training. The childminder implements a comprehensive range of policies, procedures and record keeping documentation. All of which are shared with parents within her folders to ensure they have a full picture of the provision she provides and her responsibilities as a childminder. All adults in the household and her assistant have undergone suitability vetting procedures with the regulatory body and the outcome of these is shared with parents. Risk assessments are completed on all aspects of the home environment and outings. Safety devices ensure that potential hazards are addressed and ensure that children can play in as safe an environment as possible. Children hear clear instructions during play and activities to promote their awareness on how to

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the early years provision

keep themselves safe and use resources and equipment appropriately. They are developing an excellent awareness on how to keep themselves safe within the premises, for instance when cutting an apple with a sharp knife, or whilst on outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder is dedicated to her ongoing professional development and strives to improve the provision she provides. She is a Network childminder, Community childminder and also provides support to other childminders within her locality. She is continually looking to review her practice to ensure her provision remains as effective as possible for the children attending. She also continually reviews her policies and record keeping ensuring that it meets the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. A comprehensive self-evaluation process clearly identifies both the strengths of the setting and areas where she feels she can adapt and improve practice to further improve outcomes for children and further develop her own knowledge and skill-base. Risks are extremely well assessed both in relation to the premises and the activities and routines that the children participate in. Children's well-being is effectively enhanced by the childminder's exceptional

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the early years provision

organisation and planning throughout the whole of her provision. Their learning and development folders and observations show they flourish within the child- centred environment and can access a wide range of resources and activities during their day. Children's awareness of equality and diversity is fostered as the childminder values their individual uniqueness and displays posters of other cultures, pictures of their families and examples of their work around the rooms they use. They experience activities that promote their awareness of cultural diversity, countries festivals and the natural world. Partnerships with parents, other carers and professionals are excellent as seen in the parental responses that all parents provided. Every parent responded and they state they are extremely happy with the care their children receive, the information they receive and the professionalism of the childminder. Parents and other carers are encouraged to

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the early years provision

share information about their children and write in their learning and development folders. Verbal and written feedback is linked into these folders and used to inform planning. The childminder is part of the Local Authority network, completes Community childminding and provides support to other childminders within her locality and feels she gets back as much knowledge and information from this as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 she may give.

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and outcomes for children

Children thrive in the childminder's provision and are highly valued as individuals. They remain effectively safeguarded and are developing an excellent understand on how to keep themselves safe within the premises and whilst on outings. Children's well-being is effectively enhanced by the childminder's exceptional organisation and planning throughout the setting. They flourish within the child- centred environment, where a wide range of resources are set out prior to their arrival and they can independently access from an extensive variety of toys and resources from the shelves. Risks are extremely well assessed both in relation to the premises and the activities and routines that the children participate in. A comprehensive self-evaluation process clearly identifies both the strengths of the setting and areas where amendments will improve outcomes for children. Children's awareness of equality and diversity is fostered as the childminder values

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and outcomes for children

their individual uniqueness and displays posters around the provision depicting equality and diversity. They participate in activities that promote their awareness of cultural diversity and the natural world. Partnerships with parents, other carers and professionals are excellent as seen in the parental feedback and her childminding folders. Parents and other carers are encouraged to share information about their children which is linked into each child's learning and development folder. The childminder is part of the Local Authority network and a Community childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children settle quickly, develop confidence and make excellent developmental progress. They have access to an excellent range of activities, resources and learning opportunities. They can choose resources for themselves from the boxes or participate in the activities the childminder plans. Young children enjoy making 'gloop' with the childminder. They confidently pour cornflour and water onto a tray and mix it round with a spoon. During this the childminder encourages language and numeracy development by asking them what it feels like, do they want to add more water and how many stirs have they done. Both inside and outside play environments are organised to consolidate children's skills. Children remain gainfully occupied throughout the session and the childminder skilfully supports this through being attentive and having a supply of activities ready if they want to try. Children receive a balance of verbal support and encouragement whilst the

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and outcomes for children

childminder sits with them to a more adult-led approach when this is more developmentally appropriate. They have excellent opportunities to learn about the natural world and access outdoors in all weather. Children excitedly talk about the visits they take to Alice Holt, their walks and the 'giant' wooden chair they sit in.

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and outcomes for children

Young babies cuddle up to the childminder when they need comfort but are happy playing independently as well. Children demonstrate kind and caring manners and build exceptionally positive relationships with their peers and the childminder. The health and hygiene of children is given top priority and there are highly effective practices and procedures in place around the provision including poster This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 promoting hand washing and healthy eating. Children benefit from an extensive menu of well balanced freshly made meals and snacks. All the children sit together to eat and this is seen as a sociable session and an opportunity to learn from each other. Children enjoy eating breadsticks and apples, demonstrating excellent table manners even from a young age.

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and outcomes for children

Communication skills are consistently promoted through the childminder's continual conversing. Each child has their own name card that is hangs onto their chair. They enjoy mark-making and examples of their work are on display. They enjoy books and stories and sit and read these with the childminder on the floor. The childminder also uses these as an additional resource to promote equality and diversity. Children have a wide variety of opportunities to be creative and their work is displayed on the walls, in their learning folders and taken home with them. Children make exceptional progress due to the childminder's enthusiasm, caring attitude and commitment to providing a varied learning and development environment. The childminder develops detailed, but flexible, planning. She has developed her own documentations to record children's learning and development and shares these with parents. The childminder's dedication to her on-going

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and outcomes for children

professional development and continual improvement ensures she promotes children's uniqueness. Her personalised learning and development folders capture within them children's individual starting points, achievements, identify next steps for learning and show progress. 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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