Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY232360 Inspection date 28/02/2011 Inspector Kerry Iden

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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 in a residential area on the outskirts of Chichester, West Sussex. The premises are within walking distance of local shops, parks and schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with additional facilities upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have one cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register; to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom no more than three maybe in the early years age group. The childminder is currently minding nine children in total, six of whom are in the early years age group and all attend on a part time basis. 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 childminder shows commitment and dedication to her chosen carer and demonstrates that she has drive and vision to continually make improvements within her own setting and keep her knowledge and skills up to date through ongoing professional training. She meets the needs of individual children well through the relationships she has developed with parents and is starting to form with others. Additionally through her recording of children?s progress towards the early learning goals with new systems, which are supporting the childminder to develop her knowledge of how to help children make strong progress in their learning which will continue to have positive outcome for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the use of next steps identified to inform future planning of activities for individual children  further develop links with other settings children attend to share developmental information and identified next steps in children's development

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the early years provision

The children within the setting are protected from harm as the childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding, with an awareness of signs and symptoms to look out for that may cause her concern about a child; she regularly updates her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 training in this area. She has written policies and procedures that she would follow should she have any concerns. She shares these and supplies the parents with a copy of these so they understand her responsibility towards the welfare of the children. Risk assessments are completed and documented by the childminder on her home and times away from the setting. The childminder makes additional risk assessment through certain activities such as some home improvements or when children use specific equipment. The childminder also records details of evacuation practices she completes with the children. Clear systems are in place to

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the early years provision

confidentially record details of accidents and the administration of medication. The childminder maintains her first aid qualification to ensure children's well being.

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to continually develop the service she offers children and their families and has embraced the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Through the completion of the Ofsted self evaluation form and in discussion, the childminder demonstrates an awareness of her own strengths and areas for continual development within her provision. The childminder is reflective in her practice, for example, through her adaption of her own systems for recording children's development and is keen to maintain and update her own professional knowledge through ongoing training. Parents and children within the setting are able to make their contributions through the questionnaires requesting feedback about the service demonstrating that the childminder will consider the needs of all as she drives improvement within the setting.

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the early years provision

The children have excellent opportunities to access quality resources themselves. The childminder has dedicated the most part of the ground floor of her home to childminding and children enter a setting that looks exciting and interesting and where they can be independent in their choosing. Colourful pictures adorn the walls throughout the home making the setting a vibrant place for children to play and learn. The entrance way offers the children a chance to be independent as they hang up their coats and have a place for their belongings, whilst their parents have access to lots of general information displayed on the notice board. In addition to the selection of resources the childminder makes available she includes resources such as the treasure baskets. These are developed using a variety of everyday materials to encourage the children to be explorative and investigative in their play.

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the early years provision

Through completed registration forms and ongoing discussion with parents the childminder has a good understanding of each child's individual needs. Through activities the childminder adapts her levels of support to enable all children to achieve, for example, allowing young children time to feel comfortable with different activities and encouraging them to join in when they feel ready. The childminder has established good partnerships with existing parents and has detailed information to share with parents about her service when they start in the setting. Parents also complete documents to give the childminder vital information with details that will enable her to settle young children. The exchange of information between the childminder and the parents is managed well through different mediums. Daily diaries are used to inform parents of children's care details including any sleeps and information about meals. Whilst the children's

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the early years provision

detailed development records are available for parents to see the observations and next steps in children's development identified by the childminder. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 has made links with reception class teachers who share the development of those still in the early years age group; although some liaison is in place to support children's learning identified next steps and areas for individual progress are not routinely shared. The childminder is keen to liaise with other childminder's within the area for support and the sharing of good practice to enhance her service promoting positive outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are generally happy and well settled within the provision. Some demonstrate high levels of confidence as they make choices about their resources, collect their own bowls and utensils from the cupboard at snack time and switch on music when they choose to listen to it. Children are making relationships with other children and the childminder who offers good quality interaction, eye contact and some involvement in children's play. Children mostly play along side each other but interact over shared resources or time spent together for example, as they share a book or access resources within a water play activity. The childminder adapts the water play to allow each child to achieve as some need more time and reassurance than others. Children are therefore able to achieve at their own pace. The childminder has worked hard on evaluating and reviewing her systems for recording children's progress towards the early learning goals. She has recently

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and outcomes for children

implemented systems for monitoring her observations to ensure there are no gaps in children's learning. The childminder is secure in her knowledge of the areas of learning and has also recently added a summery of next steps for each area of learning although this information is not yet being fully used as she plans for future activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel and are safe within the provision. Some are extremely comfortable within the provision and with the childminder that they are having to develop their skills in sharing their childminder with others. Through routines and child led play, children understand dangers and the necessary precautions needed to keep themselves and others safe. For example, as they learn the safe ways to sit on small stools at the low level table for snack time, not to get down with food in their mouth and to learn the correct way to use equipment in the garden. Older children have been involved in setting the fire drill practice developing their awareness of where a fire can start and what they should and shouldn't do. Clear hygienic routines are in place to support the childminder in keeping the children safe as she reduces the risk of cross infection. Children learn the importance of good hand washing as they talk about germs as they wash their hands before snack and meal

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and outcomes for children

times and use their individual hand towels for drying hands. Fresh air and outdoor play is promoted by the childminder, helping children understand the benefits of fresh air and regular exercise. Time is spent in the garden all year round with resources available to promote children's large motor skills in addition to trips to nearby parks where children develop their skills on the larger equipment or play ball games.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in their communication skills, the ability to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 problem solve and their knowledge in using technical equipment which will secure them with the skills they will need for the future. The childminder is developing young children's speech and language through discussion in play, asking them questions about what they can see in books and praising them for their responses. They access many resources that promote their technical skills as they press buttons which make lights and sounds work or use real life resources such as the CD player when they want to listen and dance to music. Through various activities organised by the childminder she encourages children to explore and investigate how things work. They study the different materials through a water play activity comparing the different states of objects after they have been made wet such as

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and outcomes for children

the texture of the sponges. Children's behaviour throughout the inspection is very good as children are happy and occupied and the childminder shows an interest in their play. The childminder values the children's interests allowing them to make a positive contribution to 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 1 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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