Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 110591 Inspection date 28/06/2011 Inspector Deborah Page

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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 1989. She lives with her husband and one adult son in Andover which is within walking distance of local shops and amenities. The childminder can collect children from Portway School. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time; of these three may be in the early years age range. There are currently 11 children on roll, six in the early years age range. The childminder has a National Vocational Qualification at level 4 in early years care and education and is a member of the local childminding network.

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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

The childminder has an exceptional understanding of the needs of individual children in her care. This is a result of the highly effective partnership she has with parents. In general, there is an extensive range of resources tailored to children's interests and learning. The childminder embraces opportunities to develop her skills and maintain continuous improvement. She has gained further qualifications, as well as regularly involving parents and children in the decision making.

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further?

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

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further?

 reviewing the use of numbers in the outdoor play to extend all children's learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very committed to updating her training including safeguarding. She demonstrates a thorough understanding of safeguarding issues including sharing policies and procedures with parents. Extensive risk assessments are carried out for all areas used by children. Individual assessments to meet the individual needs of children are implemented making sure that premises are accessible including a ramp when needed and a permanent rail. The childminder is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 vigilant in all activities and there is a strong emphasis on ensuring children's safety at all times including outings. Required documentation is well maintained at all times. The childminder has a strong commitment to continuous improvement regularly reflecting on her practice and seeking the views of others including the local authority.

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the early years provision

Children are confident in choosing from an accessible range of high quality activities to meet their learning needs and interests. A photo album of equipment enables all children to choose other equipment that is not so accessible. The childminder ensures children's understanding of diversity is extremely well supported. They have an excellent range of resources providing positive images of many aspects of our society. The childminder immediately responds to children's curiosity when they show her a figure of a person using a walking frame. This is used as a positive learning opportunity to increase their understanding of valuing others. The daily routine supports children being able to free flow between indoors and outdoors making extremely good use of all areas to support their learning. Children enjoy making planes and taking them out side to see if they work or if their boat floats in the water tray.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are extremely successful ensuring the needs of all children are well met. The childminder provides a detailed prospectus and her informative policies and procedures are shared with parents. The childminder is particularly sensitive to the needs of children on arrival who are settling. Children's learning journeys are accessible to parents at any time including information about the different areas of learning. Parents are invited to make their own comments to support children in progressing in their learning. The childminder uses notice boards to provide parents with relevant information and displaying certificates. The childminder has exceptional partnerships with other settings ensuring continuity and coherence by sharing relevant information with each other and parents. This includes visits from key workers of other settings to observe the child in the childminder's home ensuring a cohesive approach to their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children flourish in the childminder's care because they are inquisitive learners and effective communicators. There is a strong emphasis on supporting the learning of individual children, and providing activities and resources to engage them effectively helping them to progress. This provides a firm foundation for their future learning.

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and outcomes for children

Most children are very well settled and others soon settle because their individual needs are exceptionally well met. Children feel valued because they see their photo displayed with their name as they arrive. They engage enthusiastically in a wide range of interesting activities that relate to their interests and individual learning needs consequently children are progressing extremely well in their learning. Children's learning is very well supported by the childminder who motivates children's learning with open ended questions supporting and developing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their thinking skills. Children are delighted and excited as a big spider is produced from a nursery rhyme sack and they enjoy singing a song supporting their language skills. Children enjoy watching the childminder demonstrate how to make a paper boat. Children are inquisitive to know if it will float and take it to the water

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and outcomes for children

tray in the out door area. They watch intently waiting to see what happens.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident with counting and count to ten before releasing the paper plane in to the air and watching it fly. Children listen carefully as the childminder gestures to them and they hear the sound of a plane in the clouds and point to where the sound is coming from. There are opportunities for some children to recognise numbers in the outdoor area developing their numeracy skills, however, this is not fully extended with all children. Children enjoy playing with the dolls house and the wide variety of resources available. They are curious about the small figures providing positive images of disabilities as they try to fit a wheelchair through the door. They realise it does not fit and are encouraged to think about why. Time is given for the child to think about their answer and they tell the childminder it's too big and they try another entrance. Children have a variety of opportunities to make marks including using a wide selection of pens and crayons

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and outcomes for children

and painting walls outdoors. Children are developing a strong sense of community and care of the natural environment as they help each other to settle and talk about what to do with litter. Children behave extremely well and accept explanations given by the childminder. They are also easily distracted with other activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing very healthy lifestyles as they have regular, balanced, nutritional meals including a selection of fruit at snack time. They are well hydrated and freely access available drinks independently throughout activities. Children are well protected from the sun including a large gazebo that covers the outdoor decking area. They eagerly show others the tomato plants and vegetables growing outdoors. Children benefit extremely well from the regular fresh air and exercise due to the free flow of activities. Children enthusiastically take part in ball games and giggle with laughter as they aim to knock down skittles. They frequently exercise on the trampoline in-between activities. Children regularly go on outings including a farm and local walks by a river. Children are developing a great awareness of safeguarding themselves as they talk about the dangers of water and carefully use tools such as a sticky tape dispenser to stick their plane together.

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and outcomes for children

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 1 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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