Childminder in East Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY421178 Inspection date 01/06/2011 Inspector Alison Weaver

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and two children who are aged 14 and 12 years. They live in a house in Crowborough near to schools, shops and parks. The whole of the ground floor, the first floor, one bedroom on the second floor and one bedroom on the third floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play which includes a dedicated play cabin. There are a number of steps in the house. The childminder has one pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range and of these, no more than one may be aged under one at any one time. She is currently minding six children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. She occasionally works with an approved assistant. The childminder is registered to care for one child under eight years overnight. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups with minded children on a regular basis. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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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 have a lovely time with the childminder and make good progress in their learning. However, some of her assessment records and systems are not fully established to help her plan effectively for each child. The childminder is skilled at promoting children's learning as they play and uses the resources well, although she is aware of the need to continue to increase the range of play equipment.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's individual health, safety and emotional well-being are promoted well as the childminder works closely with parents to meet each child's needs. In general, the childminder is forming positive relationships with parents and other providers in order to support individual children's learning. The childminder shows a strong commitment to continually improving outcomes for children and is keen to access further training courses to improve her knowledge and skills

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further?

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

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further?

 increase the range of toys and resources and their accessibility to children, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 including ones that help promote a positive awareness of diversity  develop further opportunities for parents and other providers to work in partnership and to contribute to the learning process for each child  develop the records of children's individual achievements to include ongoing assessment of their progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows she has a good awareness of the possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect. She is fully aware of how to proceed if she has a concern about the welfare of a child in her care. Her recent training in child protection has helped her develop her understanding of this aspect of childcare.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures that her home is kept safe and secure for children. She carries out regular risk assessments and successfully reviews them as changes occur at her home. This results in hazards being minimised effectively and children able to move and play safely. All other required records to help safeguard children and promote their welfare are in place and are well maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of the toys and resources she has to support and promote children's learning. Overall, she has sufficient toys and play equipment although this is not an extensive range for children to choose from on a daily basis. She has some resources that show positive images of diversity but is aware of the need to increase these further. The childminder is in the process of developing the play-cabin in the garden as a child friendly space with additional resources that children can safely access.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents to meet children's individual needs and routines to help them settle and feel included. She is also fully aware of the need to work with other agencies when caring for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities so that they receive the care and support they need to help them achieve. The childminder builds a good knowledge of each child's backgrounds so that she can respect the wishes of parents with regard to any traditions or festivals. The childminder values their family backgrounds and helps all the children develop a positive attitude to the diversity within wider society through her planned activities.

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the early years provision

Parents are kept well informed about their child's day through the use of a daily diary. The childminder uses it to share with them what their child has achieved each day although parents tend not to record any of their own observations. The initial settling in form used with new parents tends to focus on welfare issues rather than asking about what they know about their child's learning and development. Some parents have been able to discuss with the childminder her initial summary assessment of their child and contribute their views about what they see as learning priorities for their child. However, the childminder has not fully exploited the opportunities for all parents to be involved in their child's learning and assessment. The childminder was also not clear about the fact she may need to form links with schools who share the education of children still in the Early This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Years Foundation Stage in order to promote continuity in their learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows she has the ability to review and evaluate what she does effectively and, as a result, is taking the necessary steps to improve her practices. This includes the ongoing development of the outdoor area and use of the new play-cabin for safe, stimulating play for children. Since registration, she has been regularly evaluating her activities and use of learning records and adapting them so that they work more effectively in helping her plan further learning experiences for each child based on their achievements.

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and outcomes for children

Children arrive happily and soon settle in the warm, caring and homely environment. They show they feel safe and secure as they leave the childminder and eagerly explore their surroundings. They readily choose to play outside in the fresh air and learn about sun safety as they put on their hats and sun cream. Children learn the importance of drinking plenty of water in the hot weather and can access their own drinking beakers when they get thirsty.

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and outcomes for children

Children have fun playing with a sufficient range of safe and suitable toys and equipment outdoors. They learn to negotiate the slope and the steps safely. Children develop good coordination and physical skills as they play with the bats, balls and throwing discs. They have opportunities to find out about the natural world as they feed the squirrels. They learn about growth as they plant and care for strawberries and salad items. Children have these to eat as part of their healthy diet.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop good relationships with other children and adults. They giggle and have fun with each other as they play peep-po through the glass panels in the cabin. They learn to share and take turns as they play. Older children develop an awareness of the importance of caring for the younger children as the childminder talks to them about safety when using equipment.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to become independent and develop the skills they need for their future learning. They confidently do things for themselves and willingly take on tasks for the childminder such as helping to prepare the fruit for their snack time. They learn to use tools such as knives safely as they cut up bananas.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes good use of these everyday routines to reinforce numeracy. They count the pieces and use mathematical language such as 'halves'. They divide up the pieces and share out the berries. Children also develop an understanding of the importance of good hygiene practices as they wash their hands and also the fruit before meals.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a love of books and enjoy cuddling up with the childminder to look at the pictures. They show their language skills are developing well as they point to, and name, the things they see. The childminder is very sensitive and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 supportive with the less confident speakers with the result that when they are on their own with her they happily talk to her. Children have opportunities to explore and use simple technology such as a CD player and a laptop.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is still in the process of developing effective systems for recording her observations and assessing children's individual progress as she has only recently started minding. She successfully identifies learning priorities and plans activities that she knows will interest children and help them develop further. Although the childminder lacks an ongoing assessment record for each child it is clear that they make good progress in their learning and development while they are with her. 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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