Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY253955 Inspection date 17/02/2011 Inspector Shan Jones

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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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children in Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. Children have access to an enclosed outdoor play area.

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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. There are currently nine children on roll, of whom six are in the early years age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. Children attend different times of the week.

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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. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group and is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family has no pets.

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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 making good progress in their learning and development. The uniqueness of each child is recognised by the childminder and she focuses well on the individual needs of them all. Effective partnerships have been established with families of the children. The childminder's capacity to make improvements and self-evaluate is evolving and areas requiring improvement have been identified. The childminder demonstrates the capacity to maintain continuous improvements for the benefit of the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out regular evacuation drills and record details in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  develop systems to self-evaluate practice that include the parent's views, and identify strengths and priorities for development that will enhance the quality of the provision for all children

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the early years provision

The childminder has qualifications in early years and is confident and well organised. Her experience in pre-school settings provides a strong basis for her provision of home-based childcare. The childminder demonstrates a good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 knowledge of the developmental needs of the children who attend, and is consistent and effective in her application of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. The childminder has up-to-date information on referral procedures and secure knowledge of the action to take if she has concerns about a child's welfare. She has comprehensive policies and procedures which she uses to good effect, to help her protect the children in her care. The childminder has undertaken comprehensive risk assessments of the activities, premises and planned outings. She has attended all the necessary training; most recently she completed a course

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the early years provision

on 'safer Food Better Business?. The childminder attends child conferences to keep abreast any new child care initiatives and ensures these are reflected in both her practice and polices.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her day well, she plans ahead to arrange outings or enhance her toy provision with the children's needs in mind. For example, she frequently visits the toy library with the children. The childminder has a strong element within her practice in her presentation of learning activities and assessment of children's progress. Children particularly benefit from the many opportunities provided to explore and select play items, and be creative and active in their play. The childminder has an effective approach to promoting equality and diversity. She provides visual learning material to reflect other cultures, and a range of diversity resources are used within the play environment. The childminder plans play projects that widen children's understanding of differences and a range of diversity based festivals are also celebrated throughout the year.

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the early years provision

The childminder maintains close partnership with parents, which she uses effectively to support and continue children's learning and achievement. She offers them a good range of written information on her service in general and the progress that their child is making. Effective tools for observation, assessment and planning help her to identify the next steps for each child. Parents are given a good level of encouragement to contribute to goal setting for their child. To support these positive partnerships, the childminder has made links with several local childminders, play provisions and the local schools. The childminder demonstrates a positive commitment to maintaining consistency within her provision. She makes sound use of reflective practice, and regularly reviews the effectiveness of the play sessions and presentation of resources. She shows a clear commitment to maintaining a good standard of childcare, but her use of self-

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the early years provision

evaluation is underdeveloped; which is noted as an area for improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a close bond with the childminder and they are happy to play and explore. They are busily occupied whilst playing in the childminder's home, which she has made a child friendly environment. The toys in the designated playroom are organised effectively so that children can make their own choices and select items independently. The childminder plans a good range of activities that help children to develop and learn and takes good account of their individual interests, thus providing experiences she knows they enjoy. For example, by providing a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 range of activities linked to the theme of 'space? the boys explored interactive rockets and had a fun time with collage materials as they created flying rockets and moons. The childminder is highly successful in promoting children's future skills. Many of the activities provided involve developing children's communication

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and outcomes for children

and use of language. The childminder has experience of promoting children's speech, and children also enjoy looking at books and reading their favourite stories. The childminder provides a good range of opportunities for children to learn about numbers and counting, and frequent use is made of shape sorting and assembly toys to develop problem solving and manual skills. Children are provided with a good range of activities to widen their knowledge and understanding of the world. They have frequent role play and learn about the nature. Children relish the walks in the woods where they collect various items such as leaves and flowers which are used to create beautiful collage pictures.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder holds an up-to-date first aid qualification and there are established procedures in place for accidents and illness. She helps children to learn about keeping themselves safe as she practises road safety with the children when on outings. The childminder has clearly defined procedures for the emergency evacuation of her premises. However, these procedures have not yet been practised to help children understand further how to stay safe. Children's growth and healthy development is consistently maintained, through the provision of healthy snacks. Fresh fruits are provided, and children are frequently involved in learning about foods and trying new tastes. Such as, eating noodles with chop sticks during the Chinese New Year celebrations. Children are taken out in the fresh air each day; they have regular opportunities to walk around the local area and visit places of interest such as the park and beach. Children are extremely well

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and outcomes for children

behaved. They are developing good self-esteem and social skills as a result of the praise and encouragement they receive and through mixing with the other children. This, together with the opportunities they have to explore, investigate and to express their opinions helps to prepare them for the future. 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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