Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY428242 Inspection date 22/09/2011 Inspector Alison Large

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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 was registered in 2011. She lives with her pre-school aged daughter in the Locks Heath area of Hampshire. All areas of the ground floor and two upstairs bedrooms are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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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. She is currently caring for two children in the early years age group, and five children before and after school. The childminder is able to walk to the local schools to take and collect children. The family have no pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has a relevant childcare qualification.

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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 is committed to continual improvement in the setting and providing outstanding care and her enthusiasm and ambition shines through. This means children enjoy a great experience of the Early Years Foundation Stage and make excellent progress. Children relish their time with the childminder. They are welcomed into a warm, friendly home where they are valued and included to ensure none are disadvantaged. The childminder has an excellent understanding of child development and provides a caring environment for children where they can be happy and secure. She has started to reflect and evaluate her provision to ensure ongoing improvement although she does not yet fully involve parents and children in this process.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhancing systems for reflective practice and self evaluation by involving parents and children in the process.

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the early years provision

The childminder offers an extremely welcoming environment and is caring and works closely with the children. She is very proactive in keeping her skills updated, which benefits the children she cares for. She does this through her commitment This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to attending additional training, to further her knowledge. She provides excellent childcare which is well organised and runs efficiently. Children are very well safeguarded. The childminder has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow should she have a concern regarding child protection. She is aware of her role and responsibilities and ensures children are supervised at all times. Thorough risk assessments are conducted within the home, garden and for outings, and effective steps are taken to minimise any identified hazards. Appropriate records and parental consents are in place to promote children's welfare and health. There

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the early years provision

is a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place to protect the children. The stimulating environment, the wide range of resources and activities provided for the children both inside the home and outside, motivates them to learn and make choices. The childminder is reflective and has started to develop a system for self-evaluation to enable her to identify her strengths and any areas to develop. This has been identified as an area she can develop further to seek the views of the parents and children she cares for.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses space inside and outdoors well, to ensure children can move around freely and take part in a varied range of activities. Equality and diversity is promoted extremely well. The childminder is committed to providing an inclusive setting. All children are included and can take part in activities, as play equipment suits their level of development. A wide range of resources are easily accessible in a variety of storage units enabling children to make choices. The childminder is aware she needs to share information with other providers of the Early Years Foundation stage that the minded children also attend, to enable them to be fully supported in their welfare and learning. Children flourish in the childminder's care. The childminder has a superb partnership with the parents, they state they are very happy with the excellent care and attention she gives the children and how the children are always excited and eager to spend time with her. Parents

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the early years provision

comments include 'she is dedicated to my child's development needs' and 'she is absolutely amazing with children of all ages'. Parents receive thorough feedback about their children's routines and achievements at the end of the day. She has a parent's notice board and shares a variety of information with them. This ensures children's experiences in the setting are enhanced and parents are involved in their child's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop warm and secure relationships with the childminder, who supports the children well and takes care of their individual needs. They benefit from her attentive and caring nature and her enthusiasm to promote learning through play. Children all make excellent progress in every area of learning. She demonstrates a secure understanding of how children learn, by providing a well organised and stimulating environment to support them in making their own choices inside and outside. The childminder shares with children the fun and excitement of learning different things. The children are able to move around freely and independently in the accessible environment. The learning environment is bright and well organised, allowing children to play freely. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 makes excellent use of the outdoors; children play in the garden, or go for walks

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and outcomes for children

to local parks and play areas, where they are able to run around in the fresh air. The children particularly enjoyed working together to build a scarecrow for the garden and took photographs and made a booklet showing how they had made it.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder helps children to learn skills to prepare them for their later lives, such as sharing, taking turns and being polite and kind to each other. They thoroughly enjoy the many activities provided, and talk excitedly to the childminder and each other when playing. The childminder gets down on floor level to play with young children and she interacts with them exceptionally well. Children's language is developing as they are encouraged to speak, and the childminder uses questions and discussion with the children to challenge their thinking. The childminder quickly gets to know the children and speaks knowledgeably about their stages of development. Regular observations and assessments are made by the childminder and used to ensure the children are consistently moving to the next steps in the learning and development. The childminder is dedicated to providing high quality care and education for all children, and those who require

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and outcomes for children

additional support are well catered for and their progress is monitored effectively. Parents are kept well informed about their child and the childminder shares her assessment records with them to ensure they are involved in their child's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's safety is promoted very effectively and excellent systems are in place to ensure the home remains secure at all times. Children understand the need to keep safe as they regularly practise the emergency evacuation procedure, and talk about road safety. Children learn about keeping healthy as the childminder talks about why fruit is good for them at snack time and why they need to wash their hands before eating or after using the toilet. Children learn good manners and to respect others as they are reminded to say 'please' and 'thank you' and to share toys. An early interest in books is fostered, which helps children's language development and levels of concentration. The excellent relationships developed with the parents ensures all children succeed. Children's progress records also include many photographs of the children engaged in activities, and provides an excellent record for parents, and children are able to share with parents the

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and outcomes for children

exciting events they have participated in. 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 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 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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