Childminder in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY414839 Inspection date 18/03/2011 Inspector Lorraine Sparey

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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 registered to care for children in 2010. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and 10 years in the area of Bournemouth in Dorset. Minded children have access to all areas of the house, with care mainly provided on the ground floor which includes a lounge/diner and kitchen. Bathroom facilities are located on the first floor, along with bedrooms which may be used for rest or play. There is a secure rear garden for outside play. The family have a pet dog and two hamsters.

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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. She may care for a maximum of five children under eight years. The childminder may occasionally work with an assistant. There are currently six children on roll, three of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder walks to and from school to take and collect children.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are comfortable and relaxed in the childminder's care. They are building warm and trusting relationships and benefit from a range of age-appropriate play and learning opportunities which are generally tailored to their individual needs. As a result children make steady progress in their learning and development. Children's health, safety and general well-being are appropriately supported, although the childminder's knowledge of some aspects of welfare is not fully secure. The childminder has some procedures to monitor and evaluate her provision including informal discussions with parents and children enabling her to provide positive outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 consider how you use the information gathered through photographs and observations to effectively plan the next steps in children's learning, ensuring they are making progress in all areas of their development  improve children's awareness of following good hygiene habits through making the links between toileting, nappy changing and hand washing  improve safeguarding generally by ensuring that your knowledge of your policies and procedures is sufficient to enable you to effectively respond to any concerns raised. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are generally safeguarded because the childminder has devised clear policies and procedures to promote children's safety. However, her knowledge of them is not sufficiently up-to-date to enable her to implement these in the event of a concern being raised regarding children's welfare. The childminder considers safety issues carefully through completing regular risk assessments of the home, garden and outings in the local community. She ensures children are supervised, giving clear explanations of the implications of safety issues such as climbing on the furniture. The childminder has detailed evacuation procedures which are practised to enable her and the children to become familiar with what to do in an emergency.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an appropriate range of resources to meet children's individual needs. The majority of these are accessible to the children and are stored at floor level in containers. Children are confident to choose for themselves. The childminder and her assistant provide good levels of support encouraging children to develop their independence. The childminder has a range of equipment enabling her to meet the varying needs of the children. There are some basic resources to support children's awareness of the wider world, however; these are not sufficient or easily accessible. Consequently, children do not always have the opportunity to fully learn about valuing differences.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops positive relationships with the parents and carers. They receive detailed information about her policies and procedures when they initially register their child. She gathers good quality information about children's individual needs through discussion with parents and the completion of child record forms. Parents are encouraged to discuss their children's progress informally when they drop off or collect their child. Parents state that their children are, 'happy, playful and exhausted' when they collect them. Parents also feel they receive good communication about their children's time with the childminder. The childminder has developed systems to share information with other early years providers and professionals that children may attend to ensure a consistent approach.

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the early years provision

The childminder has begun to devise systems to monitor and evaluate the provision. These are in the early stages and do not fully assess the provision to identify areas to develop. The childminder generally recognises her strengths such as completing various training courses and workshops to develop up-to-date knowledge. However, the areas to develop to improve outcomes for children have not been identified. The childminder has recently joined Bournemouth Quality Standards scheme providing an opportunity to review her practice. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy spending time with the childminder. They are confident and relaxed in her care, and benefit from the childminder showing a genuine interest in what they have to say and do. Children's interests are generally taken into account when planning activities and outings. For example, one of the children likes chickens. They go for a walk taking photographs of chickens in the local field. The childminder encourages children's language through lots of discussion, reading stories and singing rhymes such as 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat'. However, some children find the television on in the background distracting. The childminder has begun to make alphabet books with photographs relevant to the child, for example, M for mother with the photograph of the child's mother. Younger children enjoy playing peek-a-boo using the material playhouse to hide in before popping their heads around the flap. They laugh as the childminder goes 'boo', clearly

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and outcomes for children

enjoying the game. Children have lots of opportunities to play independently using a range of age-appropriate resources. They spend time working out which shapes fit in the various holes and are rewarded with a tune and flashing lights from the toy when they correctly slot the shape in. The childminder extends their learning by talking about the shapes such as star and triangle and the colours. They count one, two, and three as they find various balls, developing their counting skills. Children visit places of interest in the local communities such as the park, a farm and various toddler groups where they interact with other children and take part in creative activities. Children enjoy making visual displays, a child delights in showing a visiting adult their rabbit which is displayed on the wall in preparation for their Easter celebrations.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates appropriate knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. She has begun to complete observations and take photographs of the children involved in activities. This information is generally used to plan the next steps in children's learning. However, it is difficult to make the links between these assessments, the next steps and ensuring that all areas of learning are covered equally. The childminder has recognised this is an area she would like to develop and has contacted the local authority for support. There are basic systems for parents to be involved in her child's learning. They know they are able to view their child's progress records anytime they wish.

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and outcomes for children

Children are generally following appropriate hygiene practices. For example, they use a baby wipe to clean their hands before eating food. Some children have the opportunity to learn about making the links between toileting and good hygiene practices. However, this is not consistent with all children. They benefit from healthy snacks such as grapes, and the provision of food is shared between parents and the childminder. Any allergies and preferences are taken into account. Children are encouraged to learn about safety from an early age. The childminder gives clear explanations encouraging them to take responsibility for their own safety. The childminder manages children's behaviour well and encourages them through constant praise. Children learn about sharing through consistent messages and the childminder supports younger children in learning the simple rules such as kind hands, and sharing toys. Children have some opportunities to learn about the

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 wider world and valuing differences, for example, older children try to eat rice with chopsticks and talk about the cultural differences while talking about Chinese New Year. However, these opportunities are limited with the younger children. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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