Childminder in East Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 510359 Inspection date 01/03/2011 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 1990. She lives with her husband and two adult children. They live in a three-storey house in Eastbourne near to shops, schools and parks. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder has one cat and a rabbit.

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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 five 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 attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. The childminder supports children who have English as an additional language.

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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 have a fun time with the childminder as she plans and provides a wide variety of interesting activities and outings for them. They are very happy and settled and their individual welfare needs are met well. In general, the childminder takes the necessary steps to ensure every child makes good progress in their learning and is well supported. Overall, strong links with parents help to meet children's needs and keep them informed about their child's achievements. The childminder takes some steps to secure continual improvement in outcomes for children but this is an area that is not fully developed.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will continuously improve the quality of the provision and outcomes for all children  develop further robust and systematic observations and assessments of children's achievements, interests and learning styles to plan relevant and motivating play experiences for each child and to enable them to make progress towards the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder shows she has a good understanding of how to safeguard children in her care. She is aware of the possible signs of child abuse and neglect and her responsibility to report any concerns she has to the relevant authorities. The childminder keeps her home safe and secure so that children can move independently around the home without coming to any harm. She has plenty of space for the children to play safely and enjoy more boisterous activities indoors. Toys are age appropriate, clean and in good condition. The documentation to support children's safety and welfare is in place and well maintained. Overall, the written policies shared with parents reflect current childcare practices although they are slightly dated.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are friendly and largely informal. Their views are sought through ongoing discussion and occasional formal questionnaires. Parents expressed very positive comments about the care and learning opportunities their children receive from the childminder. The childminder ensures she has the relevant information from parents about each child so that she can provide the care and support they need. Overall, there are good procedures in place for supporting children with English as an additional language and those with special educational needs. Children's home backgrounds are respected and used to help all children develop a positive attitude towards diversity. Parents are encouraged to share what they know about their child and kept well informed about their child's day as they are given the opportunity to stay and talk with the childminder. The childminder is building positive links with other providers who share the care and

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the early years provision

education of children in order to provide continuity for individual children.

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the early years provision

The childminder attends the required training courses to keep up to date in her knowledge. She discusses ideas with fellow childminders and identifies new resources that she can obtain that will help the children develop. She has evaluated her practices and shows a realistic awareness of her strengths. However, the childminder has not developed robust and systematic ways for the ongoing reflection of her childcare provision to help her identify and address areas for further development that will benefit children.

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and outcomes for children

Children have an enjoyable time with the childminder. They make themselves at home and make their own choices from a wide range of resources and activities. The childminder is skilled at using the resources and everyday routines to extend children's learning and help them develop. She gets to know the children well and ensures that she provides activities that she knows will interest them and also challenge them appropriately. As a result, children are engaged and make good progress. However, documented evidence to support the childminder's assessment of children's progress and help her plan for their future learning is limited. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children love to dress up and take part in role play activities. They use their imagination well as they make models with the construction sets. They speak confidently as they talk about what they are doing and share their experiences.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder reinforces and promotes their languages skills well as she uses good questioning techniques with them. Children develop good listening skills as they play a sound matching game together. They also show that they are good at taking turns as they play.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn to count and recognise colours as they chat together. They show they are developing a good understanding of size and measurement as they use mathematical language correctly as they compare paint brushes. Children demonstrate they have good fine motor skills as they use different tools. They enjoy craft activities such as making a daffodil collage, although these are sometimes too adult directed.

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and outcomes for children

Children have varied opportunities to develop skills in using simple technology. They learn about simple science, for example, as they talk about what happens to puddles. Children develop good problem solving skills as they fix the bricks together to make a home for the crocodile. Their understanding of the natural world is being promoted well as they talk about the pictures of the animals.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is very caring and supportive, and builds very good relationships with the children. As a result, children show they feel safe and secure. They behave well and learn to play happily with one another. Children show care for their friends as they help each other. They learn about how to stay safe through gentle reminders and good explanations from the childminder. Children's health is promoted effectively through planned outings, activities and everyday practices. They enjoy physical exercise as they do movement activities and games. They adopt good personal hygiene routines and enjoy healthy foods. 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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