Childminder in Portsmouth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY362138 Inspection date 11/04/2011 Inspector Debbie Newbury

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and three children aged two, four and eight in Wood Street Village, near Guildford in Surrey. The ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, no more than one of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group who attend on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children to and from local schools and she makes use of community facilities such as parks and the surrounding countryside.

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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 happy and at ease in the comfortable, homely atmosphere of the childminder's home. Everyone is included and treated with equal concern. Overall, children have their individual welfare and learning and development needs met well. However, systems for working in partnership with parents and providers from other settings children attend are not fully developed in all respects. The childminder demonstrates a sound capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further exisiting arrangements for the exchange of information with other providers who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to children attending this setting to ensure a more integrated approach to supporting children's learning and investigate ways of encouraging parents to contribute to the learning records maintained on their children  carry out regular evacuation drills with children to develop their understanding of what they need to do should it be necessary to leave the premises in an emergency. Record details in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved. 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 protected because the childminder has a secure understanding of issues relating to safeguarding and her responsibilities in this respect. She takes positive steps to ensure the safety of her home and garden. The childminder maintains all required documentation appropriately, including records of risk assessment for the home and garden and the places children visit. These are updated regularly. Children are accommodated in a warm, welcoming and homely environment. The childminder organises space so that children can sit and play in comfort and she manages the differing needs of the children present well. Children are able to independently access a broad range of age-appropriate play materials and the childminder responds positively to children's requests for additional items. Her practice of rotating children's play provision helps to keep this fresh and appealing

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the early years provision

The childminder is clearly reflective and has identified areas for further improvement through a developing use of self-evaluation, seeking advice and support from other childminders, formally gathering the views of parents and reading relevant reference books. She has successfully addressed the recommendations made at her last inspection.

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the early years provision

The childminder treats all children fairly and with equal concern, both minded children and her own. She helps older children understand that the way they behave can have an impact on younger children, who may copy them. Children access resources that reflect positive images of diversity and they watch some pertinent television programmes. The childminder shares the same cultural background as some of the children attending and she is therefore familiar with particular expressions children may use. She provides some familiar food items that reflect their cultural background and encourages other children to try these and talks to them about the meaning of particular words, so they do not feel excluded.

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the early years provision

The childminder gathers comprehensive information from parents at the start of their child's placement to help her meet their child's individual needs and to find out what makes them unique. They are provided with copies of her written policies and procedures and have a daily informal exchange of information. The childminder sends parents copies of any photographs she takes of children and has told them about the learning and development records she is keeping. However, parents have not yet viewed these and systems to encourage them to contribute to these records have yet to be devised. Parents indicate, in written testimonials available at the inspection, that they are happy with the service provided by the childminder and the support and care their children receive. For instance, they comment on how she has helped children 'feel more confident' and that she is 'thoughtful, trustworthy and kind.'

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the early years provision

The childminder has a general exchange of information with other providers, such as schools, who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage, to children in her care and she receives a copy of the school's newsletters, which help to ensure she is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 aware of any forthcoming events. However, this arrangement is not yet fully developed to ensure a shared approach to supporting children's learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

There is a lively but relaxed feel at the childminder's home characterised by children who are happy and very much at ease. Warm, friendly relationships are evident between the childminder and minded children and also between children. Children have the confidence to express their needs and wishes. They are supported in gaining clear understanding of the need for polite, cooperative behaviour as the childminder acts as a positive role-model and remains consistent in the way she manages this. She promotes sharing and encourages good manners. Children are invited to consider whether their actions are appropriate, which allows them to take on an element of ownership and responsibility in managing their own behaviour. Children receive lots of praise, for example when they remember to say please and thank you unprompted. This fosters their self- esteem effectively.

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and outcomes for children

Children currently attending this setting are only present before and after school and during school holidays. The childminder recognises that they are often tired after school and simply want to sit and relax. She takes account of this and encourages children to make choices about what they do, whilst aiming to provide a balance between child-initiated play and some adult-planned activities. For instance, once a week after school she makes use of the different community activities that are on offer or gets together with another childminder and takes children for walks in the nearby woods or organises a visit to the village pond to feed the ducks. Children benefit from outings further afield during school holidays when there is more time. They have opportunities to cook and help compile shopping lists if they go to the supermarket. Children are encouraged to help select items and to hand over payment. Children use their imaginations as they

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and outcomes for children

engage in pretend play, whether playing with the dolls or as they explore the different dressing-up clothes and act out stories. The childminder shows interest in what children are doing. She asks questions and makes suggestions for other things they may like to do but respects the fact that they do not necessarily want to be organised and enjoy the freedom to follow their own ideas and interests. The childminder monitors children's achievements and progress towards the early learning goals and to ensure they gain important life skills through observation and planning for what she has identified for the next steps in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Overall, children are well supported in learning how to keep themselves safe. They learn about road safety and stranger danger and are taught that it is important to remain within sight of the childminder because if they cannot see her, then she cannot see them. Children confidently explain what they need to do if there is a fire and they are aware of the need to call 999. The childminder displays information about the evacuation procedure in simple pictorial format, recognising that not all children are able to read confidently. However, she has not provided This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 opportunities for them to practise fire drills to further develop their understanding in a meaningful way. The childminder remains vigilant of children and what they are doing. She intervenes promptly to guide them away from potentially unsafe practices and offers clear explanations as to why they should not do something.

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and outcomes for children

Children are supported in gaining understanding of healthy lifestyles. They benefit from fresh air and exercise through playing in the garden, visiting parks and going for walks. Children are provided with healthy snacks and their drinks bottles remain accessible to them, which helps to ensure they stay sufficiently hydrated. They are encouraged to follow good personal hygiene routines as part of their normal everyday routine. The childminder talks to children about the reasons why they need to wash their hands before they eat and the display of pictorial reminders in the bathroom act as a useful aide-memoire for this. 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 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 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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