Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY260648 Inspection date 07/03/2011 Inspector Christine Stimson

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her child in a ground floor flat that has three other flats within the block. The premises are located close to Epsom town centre and within walking distance of parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is a small covered area for outdoor play and the flat is opposite a park.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five 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 caring for two children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. . The childminder has a recognised early years qualification (NNEB) and is able to take and collect children from local schools.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy, settled and receive positive experiences during their play activities. They are very well supported by the childminder and are making good progress toward the early goals. Relationships between the childminder and parents are good, but relationships with other childcare providers have yet to be established. The childminder has started to self-evaluate practice by asking parents and children's opinions in the form of questionnaires. She has, in the past, embraced training opportunities as part of her continual improvement, but has not done so recently. Children are safeguarded by the childminder who undertakes risk assessments on the premises and has a good understanding of child protection issues. The recommendations from the last inspection have been met.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 carry out regular evacuation drills with children and record details in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  analyse observations to help plan 'what next' for individual children  devise ways for you and the practitioners from each setting children regularly attend, to share children's development and learning records and any other relevant information This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder manages her provision by maintaining documentation to safeguard children. Policies and procedures have been devised to support the childminder's practice and these are shared with parents. The childminder has attended child protection training and has a good understanding of how to proceed if there is a concern. The childminder has devised an evacuation procedure for her home, but has not practised this with all the children in her care. Written risk assessments are carried out by the childminder on her home and reviewed regularly. The childminder assesses the risk for all children's outings and has some of the assessments in writing to remind her to look out for. This supports children's safety.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a friendly rapport with the parents she works for and shares the joint contact book/learning journey with them each day. This contains details of written observations, photos, examples of children work and details of how the childminder meets children's personal needs. At the start of placement the childminder talks to parents to help her find out as much as possible about their child. This information is then successfully used to meet children's needs, building on their abilities and experiences showing the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. Some of the children attend other childcare settings, but the childminder has yet to find out what children are learning at the setting and has not established a rapport with the children's key workers.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder knows the children well and makes sure she is involved in their chosen activities to help develop their learning. Inclusive practice is addressed and individual children feel a sense of belonging. The childminder has, in the past, embraced training opportunities to improve outcomes for children. However, she has not attended any courses since 2009 but is keen to update her current childcare qualification. Improvements have been made since the last inspection and the childminder now maintains medication records, ensuring written consent is obtained prior to administration and recording details in a medication book. The childminder has improved the recording of children's hours of attendance and this helps safeguard children.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children really enjoy their time with the childminder. They play in a vibrant playroom, eager to participate in activities, some self-chosen and others suggested by the childminder. The childminder and the children have a lovely rapport, chatting easily together with children initiating some of the conversation. Children show a sense of humour when being asked questions by the childminder. For example, they deliberately get answers about shapes wrong, with cheeky grins on their faces and later show skills in being able to identify the various shapes. Children show confidence as they move around the childminder's home and are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encouraged to be independent. For example, children are asked if they want to make their own sandwiches for lunch. They follow the routine of hand washing without being prompted and wipe their hands on individual towels that show their

p.5

and outcomes for children

names. This encourages children's reading skills and helps them to learn good hygiene practice. Children eagerly butter the bread for their sandwich and put in a filling of their choice. This is supervised by the childminder with independent skills are encouraged.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are provided with a stimulating play environment where they make a choice in their play. A wonderful selection of resources is made available for self- selection and most activities are child initiated. Written observations are made as children play and these are put into individual learning journal folders together with photos and examples of children's work. However, the childminder does not use her observations to plan activities for children's next step of development. Children have been exploring Chinese New Year and proudly show off the lanterns they made as part of the celebrations. Young children show considerable skills using the computer in the childminder's playroom. They are developing competency when using the mouse, moving things on the screen with accuracy. Work in young children's individual learning journals show they have typed letters on the keyboard and are able to recognise some of the letters in their name.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children make a positive contribution to the setting as they are well behaved, polite and cooperative. They are keen to help the childminder clear up before moving onto other activities. For example, the childminder gets the table ready for a dough activity and, as she washes the table, children follow her with paper towels to dry the table, telling her that if it is wet the dough will be 'gungy'.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children learn about healthy eating as they experience snacks and meals that are wholesome and nutritious. They have access to drinks as the childminder makes sure children have one close to hand as they play, to prevent them from becoming dehydrated. Children follow routines of hand washing before meals, and after using the toilet and this helps them learn about good hygiene practice. Children are safe and feel safe in the setting. The childminder's home is a safe, secure environment for children to play. She talks to children about keeping themselves safe and this is demonstrated at the inspection as the childminder asks children 'What do we have to do when we leave the building or cross the roads'' Children state they have to 'look this way and that', moving their heads as they answer. They tell the childminder they must stay on the kerb until it is safe to cross. Discussions arise about being driven in the car and children talk about being

p.6

and outcomes for children

'plugged into car seats'. The childminder's practice gives children the confidence to make progress in their learning journey. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8