Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY351351 Inspection date 18/07/2011 Inspector Mary van de Peer

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and their three children in Southwick, Brighton. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for no more than five children under eight years at any one time; of these, no more than two may be in the early years age group, with no more than one child aged under one year at any one time. She is also registered to work with one or two assistants and in this situation the ratios of children being cared for are increased accordingly. The childminder also provides before and after school care for older children. She is able to support children with special educational needs and/or those who speak English as an additional language. She drives to local schools to take and collect children, and she attends local toddler groups and the local library with minded children. The childminder receives support

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Description of the childminding

from the local authority. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 are cared for well, and are supported according to their individual needs and stage of development. The childminder works closely with her assistants to ensure that children receive continuity of care. The observations, assessment and planning documents are well written and are clearly linked to the six areas of learning. The childminder is planning to improve how she monitors the input parents have in their children's learning. The childminder constantly evaluates her provision, although this is not recorded for easy monitoring. The childminder is proactive regarding the service she offers and undertakes regular training to ensure that her knowledge is current and that she is following best practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of reflective practice and self-evaluation to monitor the 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 between parents and other child care settings, to help support and extend children's learning and development This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder and her assistant both have a good knowledge and understanding of current safeguarding procedures. They have both recently attended child protection training and therefore the childminder's policies, procedures and practices reflect the most recent information. The childminder ensures that she and her assistant are clear on what action to take if they have a concern about a child in their care. The childminder shares all her written information and relevant documentation with parents, so they are aware of her role and responsibilities in this area. All adults who work in the house are suitable to do so and hold current Criminal Record Bureau Checks. The home environment is regularly risk assessed and immediate measures are taken to ensure identified hazards are minimised. Written records of risk assessments are maintained well. Risk assessments are also undertaken for each outing to ensure children are safe and secure when out and

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the early years provision

about. All the required records and paperwork are well kept and up to date.

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the early years provision

Children show how safe and secure they feel in the child friendly and welcoming environment. They respond well to her and readily approach her for comfort and support. Many toys and resources are accessible at children's level, and children are able to make free choices and decisions about what they would like to play with. Some of the toys are rotated to give children variety and provide fresh challenges. Children have plenty of space to play, and also spaces to sit quietly and relax. All resources and equipment are of good quality and are checked regularly for ongoing suitability and safety.

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the early years provision

The childminder and her assistant use the Early Years Foundation Stage to good effect, ensuring that they are meeting the needs of each child. There are comprehensive written observations of the children, clearly assessing their development and identifying their 'next steps'. These observations are used to lead the future planning for each child. Plans also include the likes and interests of the children and are flexible to maintain children's interest and enthusiasm. Children have a good range of opportunities to learn about the world around them through local visits to parks and places of local interest. The childminder promotes the importance of equality and diversity issues well. Books and toys contain positive images of the many different types people in the community and she encourages the children to celebrate religious and cultural festivals and celebrations throughout the year.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very focussed on improving and extending her provision. She feels she is always looking at ways to move forward, however recognises that this can be better monitored when recorded. Parent's views and wishes are sought through the use of questionnaires asking for their opinions. The childminder is very pro-active towards both her and her assistant'' training needs. She is enthusiastic about learning more and developing her own and her assistant's knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. They have both undertaken several courses and the childminder is booked to attend a Level 3 course in the near future. This proactive approach means that the childminder and her assistants are able to provide a better service for parents and the children in their care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has written information about her minding service and clearly

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the early years provision

written and effective policies and procedures. All parents receive a welcome pack which includes copies of all policies. Parents are kept continually informed of their child's progress through daily verbal contact plus access to their learning and developmental records. However, the childminder has not yet developed a regular two-way flow of information with other child care settings to help support and extend children's care and learning. The relationship between the childminder and her assistants is very productive and they are fully included in the future improvement of the childminder''s service. The links with other agencies are developing well and are effective in helping in reinforcing learning and extending each child's progress and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children show they are happy, safe and feel settled in the comfortable atmosphere of the childminder's home. They are well cared for and confident to make choices from the activities and resources provided. They play with the role play resources, acting out home scenarios such as 'looking after babies' and 'baking'. Children have opportunities to look at books, at photographs of themselves and to mark make using pencils and crayons. The childminder also provides a craft area where children enjoy moulding dough and making shapes. Painting resources and cutting and sticking materials are also popular with the children. Some of their recent work is displayed.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder and her assistant plan and provide some adult-led activities, for example looking at other cultural and religious festivals. Children find out about equality and diversity using books and activities that celebrate festivals throughout the year. They explore and develop their physical skills, running, jumping and balancing in the garden or play park after school. They learn about the benefits of fresh air and exercise as they walk to local country parks and wooded areas. Children extend and develop language skills well; the childminder and assistant talk with them, using repetition together with open ended questions. This encourages their participation. Children also chat together and make each other laugh; for example as they all sit together after lunch, they roll some small toys on the table and find it very funny. Their social and inter-active skills are developing well, and they are learning valuable 'getting along' skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children know how to keep themselves safe. They are learning about road safety and practise the emergency evacuation procedure with the childminder, so they know what to do in an emergency. Children are developing important social skills, including sharing, taking turns and negotiating in their play. Children's behaviour is managed consistently by the childminder and her assistant. They both speak calmly but firmly to children, praising the children for their achievements and, as a result, children respond appropriately and are well behaved. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The young children are being encouraged to become independent in their hygiene routines and know to wash their hands to get rid of germs. Children choose their preferred drink to have with snacks and meals. They learn about healthy food choices because the childminder offers a range of balanced snacks and drinks,

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and outcomes for children

such as fruit, toast and bread sticks. Parents are given the choice to provide meals for their children and some do this. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's individual dietary needs are met.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a consistent and well planned service for every child in her care. The children are benefiting from the stimulating environment and wide range of resources, materials and experiences. Their learning and development needs are well met and they are developing important skills for the future in the childminder's care. 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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