Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY348637 Inspection date 14/03/2011 Inspector Amanda May

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and their five year old daughter in Aldershot, Hampshire. The property is close to local schools and amenities and there is a park nearby. The whole of the property is used for childminding with toilet facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play and the family have one cat as a pet.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local childminding groups. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of five children under eight, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. There are currently four children on roll in this age range. She is also registered to provide care under the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 supported very well through the childminder's high standard of self evaluation and secure ability to implement changes to her provision which bring about continuous improvement for the children who attend. She is knowledgeable in how to support children in their learning and development and secures good quality partnerships with parents and others in most instances, to support children in developing in all aspects of their care, learning and play. Children who speak English as an additional language are effectively supported and the childminder and other children value their language and cultural difference. This ensures that all children feel included and safe within the provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance the use of observations made of children in their play to plan future activities which reflect their interests, stages of development and promote their progression in a timely manner  develop links and share relevant information with other early years' providers which children attend in order to promote coherence and continuity of care and support.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as a result of the childminder having a secure understanding of issues surrounding safeguarding children. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understands the procedures she should follow if she had concerns about a child in her care and knows how to approach the relevant authorities if necessary. The childminder demonstrates a practical awareness of how to prevent accidents through reviewing her thorough risk assessment, whilst also ensuring hazards which may become apparent during the day are minimised effectively.

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the early years provision

Children are developing a good awareness of how to take care of themselves through the childminder effectively evaluating her provision and implementing changes to support children in their individual needs. For example, following practising the fire drill with children the childminder has recognised that some children would benefit from future support. Therefore she has planned additional fire drills and is seeking further resources, such as books about fire-fighters, to support children in learning how to evacuate the home safely in an emergency. This demonstrates her ability in ensuring that future developments are well targeted and bring about a positive improvement for the children who are in her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents to support the children she cares for and seeks their feedback which is used to develop her practice further. The childminder has also recently started to seek the views of older children who attend, helping their voices to be heard and appreciated. The childminder is aware of the benefits partnership working has, in particular with other health care professionals, and has sought parental permission to share information with other early years settings which children also attend. However, secure partnerships are not fully developed in some instances to ensure that the next steps of children are shared, and progress in all aspects of their learning and development is supported in a coherent and consistent manner.

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the early years provision

Children enjoy practising their independence and demonstrate high levels of self- esteem as they play. They are relaxed in the childminder's company and enjoy being able to help themselves to a range of resources in a welcoming and safe space. Information sought from parents ensures that individual children are made to feel welcome and valued and that their interests, likes and dislikes are identified and respected. Information is shared with parents through written daily diaries as well as verbal discussion, helping to ensure parents feel fully included in the provision.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in their learning and development. They show curiosity and enjoyment as they discover new things and persevere as they spend time investigating how things work. For example, when toddlers show interest in how their highchair straps clip together, the childminder supports and encourages their curiosity very well.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and observes children in their play, allowing her to recognise This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 where children are making good progress and if there are any areas which she can support further. For example, the childminder recognises when some children would benefit from further opportunities in developing their social skills. As a result she attends toddler and music groups to encourage children to form new friendships whilst having fun. Although the majority of observations of children in their play are used effectively, sometimes they are not always used to plan future activities in a timely manner. This means that children's interests may have already developed and changed, and that therefore planned activities may not offer appropriate challenge.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy being active as they play, and particularly enjoy playing in the garden where they sit on ride on cars, push small wheelbarrows of garden tools and explore the daffodils. The childminder speaks fluent French and encourages children to develop their awareness of different languages as she reads some stories in French and explains the names of things, such as daffodils, to children in both languages. This helps children to develop their respect for difference as well as develop a healthy understanding of the world around them. Children who attend the setting that are bilingual are effectively supported by the childminder, through ensuring a range of books are available in their home language, and through discussing with new parents of bilingual children how she can best support their child in feeling secure and valued.

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and outcomes for children

As children enjoy regular access to the outdoors they are developing a good understanding of the importance of being healthy and keeping active. Toddlers are supported as they bounce on a small trampoline and giggle as they run around. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to support children in developing their own hygiene routines, such as helping toddlers wash their hands with soap in the kitchen, before drying their hands on an individual towel, helping to prevent cross-infection. Children are developing a good awareness of how to behave safely, with younger toddlers receiving gentle reminders to be careful in their play. The childminder encourages children to persist in their activities and is imaginative in how to promote their curiosity regarding the use of technology. For example, pre-school children enjoy using cameras to take photos of the things they are interested in when out on walks or outings. Children are developing well

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and outcomes for children

in their communication and problem solving skills and are becoming active and interested learners. 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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