Childminder in Southampton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY396590 Inspection date 15/04/2011 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 2009. She lives in the Thornhill area of Southampton with her parents, brothers and son. All areas of the property are registered for childminding although this usually takes place on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden. Toilet facilities are on the first floor. The family have two dogs, a cat, two snakes and a spider. The childminder is able to walk to the local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of these two may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding two children in the age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home where their individual needs are met. The childminder provides an appropriate range of activities and toys, and equality and diversity are suitably promoted. The childminder gathers evaluations from parents and uses these to develop her practice. She assesses her own strengths and weaknesses, but does not complete a full self-evaluation to appropriately target areas for ongoing development.

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further?

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

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further?

 use self-evaluation process to target areas for ongoing development  carry out full risk assessments for every different outing  reflect and self-evaluate to identify priorities for development that will improve the quality of the provision for all children.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures. She has a policy in place and keeps information to hand in case of concerns. All adults living in the home have completed the required checks. Risk assessments are completed around the home and reviewed regularly. The childminder and her assistant work together to ensure children are never left alone with any of the animals. They are particularly aware of safety issues in the garden. The childminder also carries out risk assessments for several different This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outings, although one risk assessment for visiting the park lacks some detail. All other necessary documentation is in place and the childminder carefully records the children's times of arrival and departure in her register. The childminder builds good working relationships with parents. She invites them to complete Unique

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the early years provision

Child books to enable her to set starting points for their individual learning journeys. She makes regular observations and uses a Learning Journey book to set next steps for children's development. These records are regularly shared with parents. The childminder invites parents for discussions about their children and also completes a daily diary record with information about activities, outings, nap times, food consumed and nappy changes. Parents highly value this informative record book. Parents also occasionally make a written evaluation of the childminding service provided and the childminder uses these to help improve her provision of child care. The childminder is building sound working relationships with outside agencies to help support children's individual needs. She asks for support and advice when necessary to help improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder works with the local authority advisor to improve her setting and has completed all the actions and recommendations from previous inspections. This has had a positive impact on the outcomes for children as they are developing well, and are safe within the childminding setting. The childminder thinks about the strengths and weaknesses of her childminding provision; however she has not completed a full self-evaluation to help target areas for ongoing development.

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the early years provision

The childminder and her assistant work closely to meet children's individual needs. They offer an appropriate range of activities and toys including items which reflect diversity. Children help themselves to the toys around the room and access the toys boxes with their favourite items. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are supported well as the childminder is pro-active in seeking support and advice. She links with therapists and the inclusion coordinator to ensuring ongoing development for all children. Posters and pictures around the home reflect diversity as they include children with disabilities and other nationalities. The childminder has completed training in supporting children with English as an additional language.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder finds out about the individual children in her care and supports their learning and development well. She works closely with her assistant at all times and they enjoy being with the children. Effective planning is in place for each child and the information from observations is used to ascertain children's next steps for development. Children are interested and engaged. They join in activities and are inquisitive. For example, children explore the contents of an activity box which contains pots of play dough and implements. They ask about what the implements can do and the childminder demonstrates squeezing dough through small holes to make spaghetti, and pressing a mould into dough to make shapes. Children experiment with the tools and cutters. They repeat words after the childminder as she skilfully introduces favourite toys into the activity. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

childminder is aware that this activity helps children to develop across all six areas of learning. The childminder provides suitable learning and development indoors by offering a range of planned activities alongside the free play opportunities. Children often choose their own toys from a range around the room. Outdoor play activities are limited at the childminder's home as the dogs are in the garden during the day. Children are taken out regularly to play centres, parks and activity sessions. The childminder is aware of children's particular interests in trains and takes them for both diesel and steam train rides.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health and well being are promoted as the childminder follows effective hygiene routines. She takes children upstairs to the bathroom to wash their hands before meals and snacks. The low level table is thoroughly cleaned before being used for food and drinks. While carrying out nappy changes the childminder wears gloves and children have their own individual changing mats, which are cleaned after use. Children make healthy choices about what they eat and drink. The childminder reminds children to have regular drinks throughout the day. She provides breakfasts of cereals and milk, snacks of fruit, breadsticks or cheese, and sandwich or toast lunches. Nutritious main meals are provided as required and they are prepared by the childminder's assistant.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn how to keep themselves safe when they take part in fire evacuation drills. They learn about road safety and keeping themselves safe when out and about. They feel safe as familiar adults are with them at all times. Children join in activities and are interested. They share toys and understand the need to keep their environment tidy. Children make friendships and cooperate in their play activities. They receive praise for completing activities, such as jigsaw puzzles, and this helps develop their self-esteem. Children develop some skills for the future and their understanding of the wider world is demonstrated through their play. They successfully set up the train track and also make animal noises when they play with the farm set. Children begin to communicate and make their needs known. They are inquisitive and interested in the toys and activities provided. 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 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 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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