Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY423638 Inspection date 23/08/2011 Inspector Janet Thouless

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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 registered in 2011. She lives with her husband and young son in Crawley, West Sussex. The whole of the home is used for childminding purposes. The children have access to a lounge and dining/kitchen area, access to the kitchen is restricted by the use of a safety gate. Bathroom facilities are located on the first floor. Children have daily opportunities for outdoor play within the secure garden and at local parks. The family have a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of three children under eight may be cared for at any one time; of these, no more than two may be in the early years age group. She currently has two children on roll, both are in the early years age range and attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged from five to 11 years. Children in all age ranges share the same facilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is happy to walk or drive to local schools and preschools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network and receives support from the local authority.

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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 in a safe, secure and very welcoming family home. The childminder knows the children well and acknowledges them as unique individuals. As a result, children are settled and enjoy their time with the childminder. Their learning and development needs are promoted and their care and welfare is assured at all times. As a result, children are making good progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder works in close partnership with parents to identify and meet children's individual needs. She has begun to informally evaluate her service to identify any action required. This ensures continuous improvement in meeting the learning and development needs of children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further systems for planning, observations and assessment and use the information gained to plan for children's next steps in learning  develop further systems for self-evaluation to continually improve outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the different types of abuse and the action to take if she had a concern about a child in her care. A clear safeguarding policy supports her practice and is shared with parents. The good relationship she maintains with parents ensures an open exchange of information, to further assist in safeguarding children. All adults in the household have been suitably vetted. The childminder has a fully comprehensive portfolio of policies and procedures that underpin the provision on offer. She has begun to make effective use of self- evaluation, to help her identify strengths and priorities for future development to improve the quality of provision for all children. For example, plans are in place to attend training on completing children's observations and assessments. However, this is very much in the early stages of development.

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the early years provision

The well-organised use of space ensures children's personal safety and well-being at all times. Their independence and freedom of choice is increased as a range of resources are easily accessible. She has increased her range of resources to fully support children's awareness of gender and disability.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops positive relationships with parents to ensure she knows the culture and background of each child. This contributes to inclusive practice, meeting children's needs consistently and providing continuity of care. Through daily conversation and a daily diary parents are kept informed about their child's day. This means that they are fully aware of what their children have enjoyed taking part in, along with information about their care. Parents contribute to children's learning profiles and attend settling in visits where they discuss their child's starting points, desires and interests. This contributes to good partnership working. There are currently no children who attend other early years provision but the childminder positively demonstrates a willingness to work with other professionals and agencies, to meet the individual needs of each child.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has developed strong and caring attachments with the children. Children are happy, confident and settled and receive good support with their learning and development. Children feel safe, secure and display a strong sense of belonging while in the childminder's care. Many opportunities are provided for children to make choices about what they do. A selection of resources are laid out each day according to individual interests, children then chose what they want to play with. All available resources are regularly rotated, so children get to play with most of them during their time with the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Provision for supporting children's learning and development is developing well. The childminder has a good understanding of her role in children learning through This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 quality play experiences. She has started to complete written observations of children's progress, which are supported by photographic evidence. However, these are in their infancy and currently only provide a starting point for planning children's future learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Young children gain a sense of security and familiarity through repeated interaction with the childminder. They happily explore new experiences and demonstrate good levels of interest and involvement. For example, they delight in repeatedly pushing buttons on programmable resources working out that one action has an effect on others. The childminder gives them time to repeatedly practise acquired skills. They enjoy sitting down with the childminder to look at different textured books and point confidently to familiar pictures. The childminder repeats the name of familiar pictures to support children's use of vocabulary. Children are showing a great interest in animals. The childminder supports this by introducing books, inset puzzles and small world figures that depict a range of animals. Children are developing their imagination in role play and enjoy sitting baby in the highchair to feed her. The childminder gets involved in children's play, acting as a good role

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and outcomes for children

model. As a result, children acquire a positive disposition to learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder manages children's behaviour appropriately, providing a good role model for politeness and consideration of others. Children are encouraged to use good manners by saying please and thank you. This helps build important personal, social and moral development skills to help them establish and maintain positive relationships with others. Children know they are valued as the childminder listens to what they say and responds in a kind and caring manner. As a result, children's confidence and self-esteem is extremely well fostered.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder teaches children to take acceptable risks. She allows them to try things for themselves in a safe and secure environment, for example, climbing up the steps and sliding down the slide.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles because the childminder promotes healthy eating, drinking and regular exercise. Currently parents provide children's meals but the childminder offers healthy meal options if required. Water beakers with lids are provided to promote children's self care and independence. Children are kept safe in the sun; the childminder frequently applies sun cream, encourages the use of sun hats and ensures children play as much as possible in the shade. Children enjoy free flow access to the garden where they enjoy the use of a climbing frame, ride on toys and ball pool.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop an awareness of their local community and socialise with others, through regular visits to groups and local parks. They visit the library where they enjoy story and rhyme time. These positive early experiences provide children with a good start in life and enable them to develop the skills needed for their future success. 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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