Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY420546 Inspection date 17/05/2011 Inspector Helen Penticost

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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 has been registered since 2010 and she lives with her partner and two children in Billingshurst, West Sussex. The whole of the home is used for childminding purposes where children have access to a lounge, dining room, kitchen and two upstairs bedrooms. Access to the first floor is restricted by the use of a stair gate. Bathroom facilities are located on the ground and first floors. Children have daily opportunities for outdoor play within the secure garden and at local parks. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children and is currently caring for three children in the early years age range. The family have two dogs.

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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

Effective systems are in place that support children's individual welfare needs and they make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder has good relationships with parents and children. Her ambition and commitment to developing her service is good and through some self-evaluation processes, she is beginning to appropriately evaluate to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 strengthen the use of reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will continuously improve the quality of the provision for all children  maintain a regular two-way flow of information, knowledge and expertise with other early years settings that children attend, to help support and extend children's learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder's arrangements for safeguarding and promoting children's welfare are good. She has a good understanding of potential signs of abuse and neglect and she is ware of her responsibilities in reporting and monitoring any concerns. All adults living on the premises have undergone appropriate checks and the childminder supervises any visitors to the home. This contributes to keeping children safe and protected from harm. She carries out comprehensive risk assessments on her home and outings. This means she promptly identifies potential hazards and puts in place good measures to minimise accidents. A good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 range of policies and procedures underpins the service that the childminder provides and parents sign to state that they have read and understood their contents.

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the early years provision

Since registration the childminder has embarked on relevant early years training course as well as attending workshops. She has started to complete a full written form of self-evaluation and uses this along with parental opinions to monitor the quality of the provision. The childminder is fully aware of the need to continue assessing her provision, as part of a positive approach to continuous improvement. The environment is safe and stimulating and the childminder provides a good range of activities and experiences that support children in making good progress in their learning. The childminder organises her resources so that children can make independent choices in their play. In addition, through making good use of resources within the local community, such as toddler groups and music sessions, the childminder extends children's experiences. The childminder provides a service that is inclusive for all children and their families. She demonstrates a positive

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the early years provision

approach by encouraging all children to consider, and be aware, of the needs of others, and to recognise and value differences. Effective systems are in place to support communications where children attend a nursery; however, the childminder has not extended this to include all early years' settings for example, where children attend another childminders.

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the early years provision

The relationships between the childminder and parents are good. Through effective communication and information sharing, they work well together to promote continuity in children's care. Regular discussions, daily diaries and written policies and procedures provide parents with good quality information about their child's day and service. Positive comments from parents include; 'she is extremely friendly and approachable and immediately put me at ease', and 'I have been extremely impresses with her organisation skills and her professional approach'. The childminder encourages parents to be involved in their child's learning and progression. For example, they complete the 'All about me' sections of their child's learning journal enabling the childminder to gain a full understanding of each child's starting points, likes, dislikes and desires.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has good relationships with the children and she effectively recognises and meets their individual needs. She is actively involved in children's play and they respond well to this. For example, they excitedly shake the inflatable ball that is filled with bells and listen to the bells inside. Children make independent choices in their play as they select from the wide range of age and stage appropriate resources that promote children to become enthusiastic and motivated learners. Through praise and celebrating children's achievements, they have a positive self-image and good self-esteem. For example, the childminder claps and smiles to ensure that children know when they have achieved something good, such as pulling the feely blocks from their storage container. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The children positively interact with the childminder and when looking at books,

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and outcomes for children

they touch and feel the textures and the childminder responds to children's early communications. These interactions and activities support children's language and communication skills. The children have good opportunities to take part in a wide range of physical activities. For example, children regularly go to the local toddler groups and music sessions, play in the garden and go on walks. These activities encourage children to climb, run, balance, jump, catch and throw. Children creative flares are explored as they create masterpieces using their hands and feet and also as they access the role play equipment that is on offer to them. Through a good selection of resources, activities and discussions, the children are developing a good understanding of diversity and difference.

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and outcomes for children

Through everyday practical routines, the children are gaining a good understanding of why they need to adopt effective personal hygiene practices. For example, even the youngest of children have their own individual hand towels and are assisted in washing their hands after nappy changes. The childminder provides a safe and secure environment that provides continuity for children and results in them feeling safe and settled. For example, children approach the childminder for reassurance and comfort when they become tired or hungry. The children are developing a good understanding of how they can keep themselves safe. For instance, through practical routines, such as fire evacuation practises and promoting good car safety, the children are learning how to behave in safe ways. The childminder has a good understanding of how young children learn. She effectively uses observation, planning and assessment arrangements to support

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and outcomes for children

her in helping children to make good progress in their learning. For example, the childminder matches her observations to the expectations of the early learning goals so that she can effectively identify and plan for children's next steps. 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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