Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY423587 Inspection date 08/09/2011 Inspector Jennifer Devine

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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 one child aged 20 months in Ashford, Middlesex in Surrey council. The childminder uses the whole of her premises for childminding purposes. There is a secure garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children, of whom two may be in the early years age range and of these, no more than one may be under one year at any one time. She is registered to care for one child overnight. She is currently minding two children in the early years age group and one child in the later years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family have two pet dogs.

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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 in the childminders care; she shows warmth and kindness to them and provides a secure environment to help them make good progress in their development. The childminder has a generally good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and plans an exciting range of activities and experiences. She works closely with parents to ensure she meets the unique needs of each child. The childminder identifies and addresses areas for her continuing development. For example, she is aware of developing her garden provision to enhance the experiences for children. This demonstrates that she has a good capacity to make improvements in the service she provides.

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further?

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

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further?

 match observations of children's play and learning to the expectations in the development matters column of the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage to assess the progress children are making  develop the planning of the outdoor area to ensure all six areas of learning are provided for.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands the importance of safeguarding the well-being of children in her care and is aware of the child protection procedures to follow if she was concerned about a child. The childminder places a strong emphasis on children's safety within the home and when outdoors. Comprehensive risk assessments are undertaken and these include assessments of risks when out of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the home, which ensures hazards are identified and minimised.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to her professional development and has developed the self-evaluation process that is aimed at bringing about future improvements. She has attended the Introduction to Childminding practice course and recognises the importance of continually developing her knowledge and skills to help her development.

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the early years provision

Children are able to move freely and independently around the home and garden, whilst still under the close supervision of the childminder at all times. The childminder organises her home and play resources well and has use of a dedicated play room where children are able to choose from age appropriate toys stored at a low level to support their increasing independence.

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the early years provision

Parents are kept well informed about their child''s day through the use of an informative daily diary and verbal communication. The childminder also shares her observation records with parents to enable them to become involved in their child's learning journeys. She has sought parent's views in the form of a questionnaire to enable them to give feedback on the service she provides. Parental comments indicate they are very happy with the care provided.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides an inclusive environment for children and families. They are well supported as the childminder is aware of individual children''s needs. She ensures all relevant information is obtained at the start of a child''s placement to enable her to have a good understanding of their routines and to ensure they receive a smooth settling-in time and feel secure in her care. The childminder plans trips out to community activities such as to toddler groups and this helps the children to socialise and develop an understanding of the world around them. The childminder embraces diversity well and makes good use of the library to provide books which reflect positive images of diversity. The childminder is aware of working in partnerships with the local school and is in the early stages of developing ways to ensures information is shared for continuity of care.

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and outcomes for children

Children are looked after in a caring and loving environment where they are developing their confidence and enjoy investigating their surroundings. The childminder is understanding to individual children's needs and offers lots of reassurance to help them feel comfortable in her home. The childminder has developed a generally good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has suitable methods in place for observing children''s development. She monitors their progress and records observations, together with photographs of the children at play. Although, she does not clearly link her observations to the areas of learning, she identifies the next steps needed in learning to build on every child''s interests and learning needs.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is passionate for children to spend as much time as possible This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outdoors and children thoroughly enjoy the freedom of playing in the garden. They have great fun exploring the outdoors and are beginning to develop ball skills as they learn to throw and kick a ball. The childminder is aware of providing experiences to develop young children''s senses and provides natural materials such as sand and water play which toddlers spend long periods of time engrossed in and thoroughly enjoy exploring. They feel the sand run through their fingers and enjoy filling up and emptying beakers. The childminder talks to the children as they play and introduces mathematical language as she counts and fills up the containers with sand. Although the garden is well used the childminder has not as yet fully developed the outdoor area to ensure she plans to cover all six of

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and outcomes for children

learning. Children''s behaviour is appropriate for their age and the childminder has effective strategies in place by offering lots of praise to them to promote their self- esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Young children have good opportunities to make decisions about their play and enjoy playing with a range of exciting activities. The childminder is skilled in understanding the importance of talking with children and constantly talks through an activity with them. Children respond to her and are beginning to repeat words and ask questions. Children are developing their skills for the future as they have many musical or press button toys and show curiosity as to how these work. School age children enjoy using the camera and take many photographs of their surroundings and take great pride in displaying their pictures around the home.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder takes reasonable steps to ensure children in her care remain healthy and free from cross infection. Children do not attend if they are unwell. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and this enables her to deal with accidents appropriately. The childminder promotes a healthy eating lifestyle. Drinks and snacks are readily available and children show excitement as the wait patiently for their favourite berries. Young children take part in simple cooking activities and enjoy helping to make pizza and are beginning to recognise and name the vegetables. The childminder promotes good hygiene by ensuring she talks with the children about the importance of cleaning their hands before and after eating their meals.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder teaches children about safety within the home. She involves children in the fire practise so that they develop an understanding of evacuating the home safely. The childminder is vigilant when outdoors walking with children and takes every opportunity to talk to them about road safety. She ensures young children are safely harnessed into the pushchair or walking on reins and only allowed to run freely when in a safe, enclosed area. Young children demonstrate that they feel secure and safe in the childminders care as they become absorbed in their play. They smile and laugh with the childminder and are confident to explore their surroundings. 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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