Childminder in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY409102 Inspection date 08/06/2011 Inspector Brenda Flewitt

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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 was registered in 2010. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Wimborne, Dorset. Minded children have access to the ground floor of the house. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play with a purpose-built outdoor playroom. The family has two dogs, to which the children have supervised access.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder works with her adult daughter who acts as her assistant. When working alone, a maximum of six children may attend at any one time. Of these, three may be in the early years age group. When working with an assistant, a maximum of eight children may attend of whom six may be in the early years age range. There are currently eight children on roll in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3 in Childcare and Playwork. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and manages an out-of-school club.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children flourish in a nurturing and stimulating environment where they are highly valued as individuals. The childminder and her assistant work effectively together, which leads to children making excellent progress in their overall development. Children are involved in a broad range of activities that encourages them to learn through play and investigation, according to their own interests, mainly in the outdoor environment. The childminder has clear aims and objectives for her provision. She continuously reflects on her practice and actively seeks information to continually improve the experiences for children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 enhancing cooking activities to include recipes, to promote further children's awareness of using text for information. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children benefit enormously from the effective working arrangement between the childminder and her assistant. They work very well together to implement clear policies and procedures that promote children's health, safety and development. Children's safety is given high priority. The childminder carries out detailed risk assessments to ensure that children play and learn in a safe environment, both in the home and on outings. She has a clear regard for the importance of children learning to assess risks for themselves. The childminder has a secure working knowledge of safeguarding children, which includes identifying signs and symptoms of abuse, and following clear procedures if there are concerns. She records existing injuries as routine. All this helps to protect children from harm. All the required records are in place, completed accurately and stored confidentially.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her home and outings effectively to meet the needs of the children in her care. The dedicated garden playroom provides a unique learning environment where young children develop a fascination for nature and wildlife. Working with an assistant enables excellent supervision and support for children's activities. The childminder provides a good range of toys and equipment, which is arranged so that all children make spontaneous choices to extend their own play and learning. The childminder makes exceptionally good use of local facilities to enhance children's learning outside the home on a daily basis. For example, children enjoy walks in the woods looking for bugs and insects, which they bring back to study. Children develop a positive attitude to people's differences through discussion and the good example set by the childminder, as they meet a range of people in various situations. The childminder is skilled at

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the early years provision

developing children's understanding of the differences in people's way of life, through meaningful comparisons and visual resources.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes excellent partnerships with parents. Parents are supplied with comprehensive information about the setting, which includes clear written policies. The childminder is pro-active in seeking information about children's backgrounds on admission. There are daily opportunities for sharing information verbally in order to meet children's needs, which is supported with a written daily communication book. She has established dialogue to exchange information with other settings that children attend, to support their welfare, learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear vision for her childcare provision, with secure aims and objectives based on children learning through play and exploration. Ongoing evaluation and reflection with her assistant and other professionals leads to identified areas for development. For example, she is improving the system for recording children's development and progress. The childminder is committed to continually updating her knowledge through conferences, training and online information. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children flourish in a friendly, caring and stimulating environment, which is geared to meet their individual needs. They are extremely happy, settled and secure in the care of the childminder and her assistant who work effectively together. Children develop warm and trusting relationships with both adults and one another. For example, a two-year-old remembers to include the baby when everyone is choosing pretend food from a basket. Children behave exceptionally well. They are constantly busy and occupied, and know what to expect through clear explanations. Children are well mannered and polite. They receive frequent praise and encouragement from the adults who work with them for good behaviour, thoughtfulness, effort and achievement which helps boost their self-esteem and confidence.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses this to provide a broad range of stimulating activities that help children learn through play, exploration and everyday tasks. Children are confident in using language to communicate their needs and describe what they are doing. They easily access a variety of materials to practise skills for writing, both inside and out. Children enjoy stories in different environments, such as a puppet show at an 'outdoor story telling' event. Children's days include a variety of outings that enhance their learning, particularly in the natural environment. For example, they build and construct with sticks in the woods, making dens. Children particularly enjoyed a 'snow storm' amongst a field of dandelions as the seeds blew in the wind. They learn about life cycles as they observe tadpoles changing into frogs in their natural environment. Children are involved in planting and growing, which

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and outcomes for children

helps them understand that seeds and bulbs need light and water to survive. They are encouraged to use their senses to investigate for example, smelling and tasting herbs and vegetables they have grown. Children develop a sense of numbers and shapes through play and everyday activities such as cooking. They weigh and count ingredients and notice changes as they mix them together, but do not regularly use recipes to raise their awareness of using text for information and instruction. The childminder's interaction in children's play and activities is positive and enthusiastic. The childminder knows the children extremely well as individuals. She records daily observations of what the children have enjoyed and uses these to inform planning for the next step. She talks with them, encouraging them to think, develop their vocabulary and understand many aspects of the world around them. Therefore, children make extremely good progress in their overall

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy an extremely healthy lifestyle. They practise good routines for their personal hygiene, and enjoy daily fresh air and exercise whatever the weather. Walks in the woods and visits to play parks promote children's large muscle skills. Children make individual choices about what to eat from healthy options that include fresh fruit and vegetables. They learn about the benefits of healthy eating and oral hygiene from discussion, interactive games and books. Children understand about their own safety, which gives them freedom to explore and take risks in order to learn through discovery. For example, they learn about hazards This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 such as stinging nettles, broken glass and candle flames. Children are encouraged to set themselves challenges and take calculated risks to develop their confidence and achievements. They know what to expect if they must leave the home in an

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and outcomes for children

emergency by being involved in regular practises of the escape plan. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 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 1

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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

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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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