Childminder in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY420244 Inspection date 10/05/2011 Inspector Marilyn Joy

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2010. She lives with her husband and two pre- school children in Southbourne on the outskirts of Bournemouth. Downstairs provides the main area used for childminding with toilet and sleeping facilities situated upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register for a maximum of four children under eight years and, of these, one may be in the early years age group. The childminder is also registered to provide overnight care for one child. She is currently caring for four children in the early years age group and, of these, one is at school. She also cares for two children aged over eight years. Children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder attends the local toddler group and takes children to the library and the park. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder offers an extremely well-organised and inspirational environment where children's individual needs are comprehensively catered for and they make excellent progress in their learning and development. Documentation is generally of a very good standard and most meets the regulatory requirements. Superb partnerships are developed with parents, which significantly contributes towards how quickly children settle and gain confidence. Rigorous evaluation processes, overall, help the childminder to achieve exceptionally high standards in many areas.

p.4

further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.4

further?

 keep a written record of accidents and any first aid treatment given to children (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 17/05/2011

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 refine systems of self-evaluation using challenging quality criteria in order to further enhance the service provided and outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a thorough and up-to-date knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to be followed should she have concerns about a child in her care. Comprehensive risk assessments help ensure the premises are safe and secure, and all potential risks to children are minimised. Detailed policies and procedures are shared with parents and underpin the childminder's daily practice. Generally documentation is extremely well-organised and maintained appropriately. However, accidents are not always recorded, which is a breach of the regulations. The impact of this is minor because there is no risk to children's welfare. Accidents are appropriately dealt with immediately and parents are fully informed of what has happened at the end of the day, although feedback is verbal rather than in writing.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has exceptionally high expectations for the service she provides and outcomes for children are excellent because of her outstanding commitment and drive. The childminder regularly seeks the views of parents and is currently working towards a quality assurance award. She makes excellent use of training and acts promptly to update her practice. For example, following training on communication skills she introduced cosy child-friendly spaces where children can initiate their own play and develop relaxed conversations. Rigorous self-evaluation processes help the childminder to review the service she provides, although systems are not fully established throughout her practice to help her identify areas where further improvement can be achieved.

p.5

the early years provision

Paramount consideration is given to getting to know each child, valuing them as individuals and tailoring their care accordingly. Children flourish in the highly supportive and inclusive environment offered. Parents and children benefit greatly from the childminder speaking their home language and helping them to participate fully in the world around them. Superb organisation of the childminder's home and garden, as well as an extensive variety of toys and equipment, positively contribute towards the excellent outcomes achieved. Innovative presentation and storage of resources excites children's interest. Easy access and age-appropriate equipment successfully encourages independence and personal achievement. The childminder takes well-considered steps to ensure resources and the environment are fully sustainable.

p.5

the early years provision

Exemplary partnerships are forged with parents, other agencies and settings children attend. Significant emphasis is given to developing highly effective channels of communication so that strategies to support each child are consistent and achieve successful outcomes. Parents are extremely well-informed through daily discussions and a comprehensive range of written materials, including daily text messages which reassure working parents that their child is happy and settled. Feedback forms from parents are extremely complimentary and exemplify how extremely happy they are with the care and learning provided. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children thrive in an atmosphere that nurtures their potential and helps them to excel. Extremely successful settling-in routines help them to settle quickly and develop confidence to explore their surroundings. Children are eager to attend and make significant gains in their learning. Babies have space to move around freely and safely. Resources set out on the floor and organised at low level excite their curiosity and encourage mobility. They use the furniture to pull themselves up but when they begin to climb they are cleverly distracted with an exciting noise which they then hurriedly crawl towards. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to keep children safe and a thorough awareness of each child's stage of development; both of which contribute towards achieving appropriate levels of supervision. Excellent activities help children of all ages to gain an understanding of keeping themselves safe. When going for walks or on outings they wear high

p.6

and outcomes for children

visibility jackets and learn about road safety. Children copy real warning signs when making safety labels for the securely fenced pond in the garden. This helps them to understand what the signs mean and how to stay safe.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder offers an exceptionally good range of activities and experiences for children. She has created innovative play spaces indoors and outdoors. The addition of a curtain creates a cosy sensory area under the stairs where children can experiment with shining torches, explore different textures and enjoy sharing a story. A ball game is created in the garden with guttering and pipes and children solve simple problems, such as, which ball is going to fit and what happens if they try different objects. Children have excellent opportunities to learn about the world around them. There is a bird feeding station, an area to hunt for mini-beasts and planters for growing their own vegetables. They are introduced to recycling and composting waste. A science box includes lots of different objects to investigate and reference books to help understand how things work. Excellent labelling, posters and notices encourage children's familiarity with letters and words, and

p.6

and outcomes for children

helps prepare them for learning to read when they go to school. Children's home language is valued and included in the displays and dual-language books. The childminder talks to children in Polish and English which helps them to feel secure and develop confidence in speaking. Babies' attempts at speech are reinforced with clear vocabulary and attempts at words are echoed and encouraged.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children flourish in all areas of their development because they experience an exceedingly good range of activities and receive excellent support to extend and challenge their learning. The childminder completes detailed observations of children's achievements and carefully plans their next steps for learning. She also uses photographs and examples of children's work to create a superb record detailing their progression. Parents are fully involved and encouraged to contribute to their records. Children's pleasure and enjoyment is evident in the happy faces and concentrated expressions. Effective strategies, which include clear boundaries and expectations, are agreed with parents and others so that children are consistently valued and supported to behave well. They benefit from meaningful praise, which boosts their self-esteem and they learn about the importance of good manners. Children's personal, social and emotional skills are particularly well

p.6

and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 supported, which helps them to become well-motivated independent learners in preparation for school. They develop extremely positive relationships with the childminder and one another. For example, they work together to build a wigwam from sticks, cover it with fabric and then clamber inside to play.

p.7

and outcomes for children

The childminder expertly manages children's health, safety and welfare in order to ensure outstanding outcomes are achieved. Well-organised routines promote a healthy lifestyle and contribute towards young children in particular feeling safe and secure. Healthy eating is given a strong emphasis and good hygiene habits are consistently encouraged. Each child has their own basket with all they need for their personal care, such as individual towels and tooth brushes. Physical skills are easily encouraged as children create stepping stones with boxes and then balance from one to another; they explore large equipment at the park or simply learn how to hold a spoon to feed themselves. The care and learning offered is inspirational. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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 2 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

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.8

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

p.8

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 17/05/2011

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 17/05/2011

p.9