Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY423736 Inspection date 25/07/2011 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 has a recognised childcare qualification. She lives with her husband and one child aged one year. They live in a house in Worthing near to schools, parks and shops. The whole of the ground floor and an upstairs bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder has three cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

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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 very happy, settled and have a lovely time with the childminder. They make good progress in their learning as the childminder effectively plans and provides activities tailored to meet their needs based on information successfully gained from her observations and assessments. Children are suitably challenged by the generally good variety of resources available to them. Good arrangements are in place to promote children's safety, health and emotional well-being. The partnerships with parents generally work well although less so with regard to involving them in the learning process. The childminder shows a real enthusiasm for her work and a strong commitment to continually improve outcomes for children through ongoing training and reflective practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further opportunities for parents to be involved in, and contribute to, children's learning and development  increase resources further to include those that promote children's sensory experiences and resources that show positive images of diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder knows and understands safeguarding issues and has the correct procedures for helping to protect children. She ensures her home is kept safe and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 secure for children by ongoing review of her comprehensive and effective risk assessments and daily visual safety checks. All necessary safety measures are taken to minimise any hazards and children are well supervised. This results in children safely and independently moving around the home without coming to any harm. The childminder also has robust safety procedures when taking children on outings. All the required documentation to help support and safeguard children's welfare is in place and well maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses her home well to promote children's independence and learning. She has created a very child friendly home that includes a small playroom. Overall, there is a good range of safe, suitable and stimulating resources that are stored well so that children can easily access toys of their choice. The childminder uses the resources well to support children's learning. However, she is still in the process of accessing more resources that will help develop children's awareness of diversity in the world. The childminder helps all children develop positive attitudes towards people different from themselves by using planned activities, outings and discussing issues that arise.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms positive relationships with parents. She works closely with new parents to ensure she has the necessary information she needs about a child's individual needs, routines and home backgrounds. She makes effective use of this information to help children settle and to provide the care they require to help them develop and meet their needs. The childminder respects and values every child's home background and language in her setting. She takes effective steps to ensure every child is included and is helped to achieve.

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the early years provision

Parents are kept well informed about their child's day through the use of a daily contact book where the childminder records issues about their child's welfare and progress. However, the childminder is not fully exploiting and promoting ways in which parents can be involved in their child's learning and in contributing to the assessment process. The childminder is fully aware of the importance of forming strong two-way channels of communication with other providers and agencies in order to promote continuity of care and education for individual children.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates she has a realistic view of her strengths and weaknesses. She has identified several areas for development and is taking positive steps to develop her knowledge and skills. Since registration the childminder has worked hard to develop effective observation and assessment systems that suit her way of working. She has reviewed her written polices and made sure they reflect her childcare practices. She has also carried out a review of her risk assessments to ensure they are robust and children stay safe.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from being cared for by a supportive, friendly and caring childminder. She forms strong emotional bonds with the children resulting in them feeling safe and secure with her. They soon develop their confidence and move This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 away from her side to independently explore the environment and the resources. They are well occupied and concentrate well at activities of their choice. Children are helped to develop the skills they need for their future learning. They learn to solve problems as they work out how a toy works and repeatedly do the same action to make the lids pop up. They try to make sense of their world as they play with toys with switches and buttons that make different sounds. Children develop good coordination as they reach for, hold and use different small toys. They skilfully put the play figures in and out of the vehicles.

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and outcomes for children

Children smile and giggle at the childminder as they play. They respond well to her and use gestures and sounds to communicate their wants and needs. They enjoy cuddling up next to her to look at books and try to repeat the words as they point at the pictures together. Children love music and excitedly jig up and down as they hear it. They have fun making their own sounds as they wriggle in the plastic seat and giggle as it makes a noise. Children enjoy a wide variety of play experiences where they explore using their senses. They take part in sand and water play and have many opportunities to use paints and craft materials. However, there are fewer natural objects for them to explore on a daily basis.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder gets to know the children well as she observes their play and successfully assesses their progress towards the early learning goals. She makes good use of her assessments to identify learning priorities for each child and then plans effectively to meet their needs and to extend their learning and development. This helps ensure that every child makes good progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder interacts well with the children to promote their learning as they play and have fun. Children behave well and the childminder builds their self-esteem by praising and encouraging them as they achieve.

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and outcomes for children

Children go on regular outings where they explore the world and learn how to keep themselves safe. They engage in a wide range of physical activities where they enjoy the fresh air and exercise. The childminder also promotes their health well by ensuring they have a healthy diet and have easy access to their own drinks. Children adopt good personal hygiene procedures and play in a very clean setting. 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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