Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY414620 Inspection date 31/03/2011 Inspector Judith Reed

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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 in 2010. The childminder lives with her husband and three children in a house in the Swanmore area of Hampshire, which is close to local schools and shops. All areas of the property are used for childminding although children generally use the downstairs rooms. Toilet facilities are on both floors. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a dog, four cats 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, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care for children aged over five to 11years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are extremely well occupied with a wide variety of resources available at all times. The childminder ensures all children are nurtured and their individual needs, interests and abilities are met. Equality and diversity are very well promoted and plans are differentiated to ensure every child makes excellent progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage. All required documentation is in place, however it is occasionally difficult to find immediately. The childminder carries out full and careful self-evaluation of her professional service and makes plans for ongoing development, therefore maintaining continuous improvement.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 reviewing all documentation and policies regularly and creating an effective filing system

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder fully understands her duty regarding protecting children. She has a suitable policy and procedure in place and shares this with the parents when children first start. All adults living in the home have completed suitability checks. Keeping children safe is the childminder's main priority. She carries out careful and thorough risk assessments around her home and garden, as well as for many different outings. Children wear clearly labelled, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 high visibility jackets over their coats when walking to and from school or on outings. This enables the childminder to spot them easily in a group and makes sure they can be clearly seen by traffic on the rural roads. All required fire safety equipment is in place and children take part in regular fire evacuation drills. This helps them to learn how to keep themselves safe in an emergency. The

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the early years provision

childminder has completed a first aid training course and ensures she has a first aid kit with her at all times. All necessary documentation is in place to ensure children health and safety. Parents complete contact forms and a number of written permission papers. Some documentation is not immediately available due to the current filing system. Parents views are sought as part of the self-evaluation process. Their opinions are highly valued by the childminder. Parents state that the children are eager to go to the childminder's home and are settled there. They also state that the childminder does a great job, and makes meal times fun. Good eating habits are promoted and the childminder is really appreciated by the parents. The childminder keeps parents informed about their children's activities through daily diary sheets, as well as regular opportunities to view their learning journey records. They discuss the next steps for learning which contribute to the

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the early years provision

future planning. The childminder produces an informative, regular, newsletter for parents which tells them about planning and future activities and therefore helps them to feel involved in their children's activities. Photographs are displayed around the home showing children's activities and parents love to see what their children have been involved with while at their childminder's home.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively liaises with several outside agencies regarding the support and development of the children. She links with many different therapists from health departments, as well as the staff from the local school. This ensures excellent continuity of care for all children, as well as ongoing progression and development. The childminder is very aware of the importance of equality and diversity within her setting. She promotes the understanding of differences by using books and appropriate toys. Policies are in place to reinforce equality of opportunity. The childminder is working hard to narrow the achievement gap for children by enabling their comprehensive development in all areas. All equipment and play areas are accessible to all children. The childminder has two separate, extremely well equipped play room areas. Children move freely between the rooms and access the toys and equipment of their own choosing. They are very familiar

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the early years provision

with the environment and enjoy their time with the childminder. They benefit from the opportunity to use the garden regularly. A flat decking area is directly outside the conservatory doors and may be used all year around. A further area of grass is used when it is not too wet and slippery. Many different toys are available outside and the childminder endeavours to include all areas of learning both inside and out. For example children enjoy the large play house for imaginative and creative play. They experience a wide choice of physical play equipment including sit and ride cars, balls and a trampoline. Knowledge and understanding of the world is promoted through growing seeds and plants, and the care of animals. Sand and water play help to develop understanding of quantity.

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the early years provision

The childminder is fully aware of the importance of ongoing development and plans further training to help improve outcomes for the children in her care. She values the process of self-evaluation and ensures weekly planning is evaluated to check the development of all children. The childminder is a reflective practitioner This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and makes every effort to be as good as possible and provide excellent care for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy, settled and involved within the childminder's home. The childminder takes time to get to know the children when they start. She finds out about the children from their parents and this helps to set starting points for their learning journeys. They develop consistently across all areas of learning. Children's play and exploration both inside and outdoors are well planned with a balance of adult-led and child-led activities. The very effective planning is clearly differentiated for each child to ensure their ongoing progress and enjoyment. Individual learning journey records are in place. The childminder makes regular observations of learning and ensures all areas of learning are included. Next steps for development are set and these are used to plan ongoing activities. The learning journey records show that children make excellent progress across all six areas of learning. The childminder knows the children extremely well and finds out their

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and outcomes for children

favourite games and enables them to play together in small groups. Children also visit several local toddler groups on a regular basis which helps them to socialise and make friends. Their independence and confidence is encouraged through using the toilet and dressing themselves ready for outdoor play, therefore developing personal, social and emotional skills. Children's good health and sound hygiene routines are promoted as they wash their hands before preparing their own snacks. Individual hand drying towels are available. Children learn to handle knives with support from the childminder, as they carefully cut an orange in half. They then skilfully use a wooden juicing tool to push out the orange juice into a jug. They pour the juice through a mini sieve into a cup to drink as part of their snack. They also cut up a banana and enjoy eating it. All these actions are particularly valuable to support manipulation and development of children's muscles as part of

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and outcomes for children

their physical development. Children learn about the importance of physical activities and enjoy the 'Sticky Kids' activity CD. The childminder provides health and nutritious home-cooked meals for the children. Lunches are prepared with the children and they spread soft cheese onto bread or crackers and cut vegetables. Evening meals are enjoyed as a group and older children help set the table. Children explore many different varieties of food and the childminder explains the importance of a varied diet to help keep them fit, strong and motivated. Water is available at anytime for the children to help themselves to prevent dehydration. Children's good health and well being is promoted to a high level.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe as the childminder encourages their confidence and communication. They confide in the childminder about their concerns. They also learn about keeping themselves safe while out and about and stranger danger. The childminder promotes a positive atmosphere in her home. She ensures children are listened to and values their opinions. Children share toys and understand they need to keep the environment tidy. They begin to understand their own needs and those of others. They make friends. The childminder ensures children are aware of her house rules. She employs positive behaviour This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 management techniques and praises and encourages children throughout their activities. Children develop a range of skills for the future as they have access to a computer. They are naturally inquisitive and employ the many resources on hand

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and outcomes for children

such as books, the internet and adult input to find out and learn. All children are encouraged to be independent learners through having age appropriate resources and enabling them to find answers for themselves. The childminder displays a map and posters showing other cultures and languages. Children communicate well and make their needs known to the childminder. Numeracy is employed to solve problems. 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 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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