Childminder in Portsmouth

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY233526 Inspection date 21/10/2011 Inspector Michele Beasley

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2002. She lives with her husband and their four children. The youngest child is of pre-school age. The family lives in a house in Drayton, Portsmouth, Hampshire. The property is close to local schools and amenities and there is a park nearby. The ground floor of the home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a cat.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide 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 currently has one child on role attending on a part-time basis and is in the early years age range. She also cares for older school aged children. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm and inviting environment, where children settle happily and feel secure. Children make progress with their welfare, learning and development. This is because the childminder evaluates and reflects upon her practice, to ensure it meets the needs of the children and their families. The childminder has a clear vision for her childminding provision and to sustain continuous improvements. Parents are welcomed into the childminder's home. She shares information about children's welfare experiences and development with them. Records and procedures required to meet the welfare and learning requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are mostly in place.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 strengthen the use of observations and assessments made on children, to identify learning priorities and match these to the expectations of the early learning goals, so that it is clear to see the progress they make during the Early Years Foundation Stage  provide opportunities for parents to make written comments about their child's progress, to involve them fully in their child's learning  continue to develop systems of self-evaluation within the setting, to identify and maintain continuous improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder is able to identify any possible causes for concern. She implements the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures appropriately. She knows what she would do if a child should go missing while in her care. The childminder does have a procedure in place to share with parents. She shares her policies and procedures with parents, so that they are informed about her arrangements. The childminder assesses risks thoroughly on the premises and records aspects that require daily checking. She takes effective steps to reduce hazards, such as locks on kitchen cupboards. She shows awareness of how to ensure children's safety when outside the home. All adults living in the premises are known to Ofsted and have been suitably vetted.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder enjoys her role as a childminder. She demonstrates a professional approach to her work with the children and their families. Systems for self- evaluation and driving improvement are effective overall. The childminder has addressed the recommendations set at her last inspection. She reflects on her practice and makes the necessary improvements to benefit the children in her care.

p.5

the early years provision

Children play with a good range of easily accessible resources that stimulate their play and learning. The childminder has started the implementation of effective systems for the systematic observational assessment of children's learning and development in all areas. However, these observations are not used to identify and plan for their next possible steps and parents do not contribute to their children's records. Therefore, this does not help parents and the childminder build on children's experiences and newly acquired skills together. The childminder evaluates her provision. She has targets to work towards, such as attending workshops or short courses to update her knowledge. This shows good levels of commitment to her continual development.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder provides activities, such as outings to the beach, soft play areas, the park and a music group, where they socialise with others. Children have an awareness of diversity, cultures and ethnic backgrounds from resources. They have activities that reflect social diversity, such as researching their names and their friends' names in Chinese script for Chinese New Year. Pictorial evidence shows children eating noodles with chop sticks and finding out which Chinese zodiac sign they are born under. This helps widen children's view of society and the wider world we live in. Children benefit from the positive relationships the childminder builds with their parents. Information about the progress children are making is shared verbally. References from parents express that they are happy with the care and education their children receive. The childminder has established good links with other early years providers, providing a link book to go to and from

p.5

the early years provision

the child's pre-school. This ensures a collaborative approach to children's welfare, learning and development is achieved. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy the time they spend with the childminder. This is because they have access to a variety of toys, accessible resources and activities inside the home. The children use the trampoline and scooters in the garden and the childminder takes children to the beach to watch the hovercraft. She also takes them to soft play areas, the farm and the park. This helps the children develop their gross motor skills and support all aspects of their development. This includes their social skills and their understanding of the community. The childminder also gives children reminders on safety when walking outside and using road crossings. A fire evacuation plan is in place to evacuate the premises in the event of an emergency. Emergency drills are practised and recorded, which ensures children's safety in the event of an emergency. There is a fire blanket available for use to ensure the risks from fire are minimised.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's independence skills are developing as they select their own resources. They enjoy their time with the childminder. Their stimulating learning experiences enable them to build upon their skills and their understanding. For example, pictorial evidence shows children dressing up, building using construction bricks, climbing on equipment in the park, taking part in games and playing with musical instruments. Children participate in imaginary play with small world figures, putting them in and taking them out of vehicles. They listen to stories read to them, repeating favourite rhyming words. They learn how to create their own 'masterpieces' out of junk modelling, spending time choosing different sized boxes and gluing them together with help and encouragement from the childminder. Children roll out play dough and use cutters to make hearts from the dough. The childminder interacts with the children at their level. Children respond positively to

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's learning and progress is supported by the childminder, who observes their abilities. The childminder records her observations, referencing these to the areas of learning. However, next steps are not identified for each child and parents do not contribute to their children's records. Children are encouraged to help tidy toys away. The positive reinforcement enables them to build upon their skills and to learn right from wrong. Children's behaviour is good.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's health is well protected. The childminder implements good practices to ensure children wash their hands before eating. When they have been out in the garden, children use a clean towel, changed daily to dry them. They are encouraged to sit together at the table, so they can enjoy their meals and develop their social skills. Large equipment in the garden helps to develop their large muscles and improve their coordination. Children plant strawberries and peas, and learn to care for them. On walks in the woods, children collect autumn leaves and make collage pictures to display. The childminder documents written consents from parents for a variety of activities and for emergency medical treatment. This ensures their welfare is protected. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8