Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY266522 Inspection date 19/10/2011 Inspector Coral Hales

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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 2003 and is a qualified practitioner. She lives with her partner who is a registered as her assistant and two children aged nine and four in Horley, Surrey. The whole of the ground floor of childminder's house is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to receive funding for early years education for three and four-year-olds.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time and is currently caring for four children in the early years age group. She also cares for three children over the age of five.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association is an accredited network childminder. She walks to local schools to take and collect children, attends the local parent/toddler groups and the family has a rabbit, a guinea pig and two tortoises.

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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

Children are helped to learn and develop extremely well and make excellent progress towards the early learning goals, overall. They benefit greatly from the excellent relationships that exist between the childminder and their parents and all relevant information is effectively shared. The childminder offers a fully inclusive environment and recognises the uniqueness of each and every child. The childminder clearly demonstrates the ability to maintain continuous improvement and constantly evaluates and monitors the service she provides to children and their families.

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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 the assessment records to clearly show the excellent progress children are making. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has comprehensive and clear policies, strategies and procedures to ensure the safeguarding and welfare of the children in her care. She conducts very effective and thorough risk assessments and takes suitable steps to ensure that children are safe indoors and out. She has appropriate safety measures such as gates, locks and fire prevention equipment. Highly effective working relationships with parents have been developed and a diary is used to share information with them and with other providers. Parents are provided with a very good range of information and they are encouraged to be involved in their children's development. There is an extensive range of written policies and procedures which provide and excellent framework for the provision. Children's learning and development is enhanced by the strong partnerships with others involved in their care. Home/school diaries are shared to ensure the learning

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the early years provision

experiences they enjoy are both complimentary and consistent.

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the early years provision

The childminder undertakes home visits when detailed information about the child is shared. Children's individuality and interests are known, respected and nurtured. This enables them to feel valued and included and promotes their health and well- being. Individual coat pegs and name cards and photographs help children to feel part of the setting. The children are very relaxed and really enjoy the reassurance and close contact the childminder provides. She has an excellent knowledge of child development. Her knowledge together with the excellent range of stimulating and fun activities creates new and challenging opportunities for the children and is integral in closing any gaps in children's achievements. Children with specific needs or those who speak English as an additional language are skilfully supported. Diversity is expertly recognised and celebrated, through the use of relevant resources and activities, so children learn to respect and value difference.

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the early years provision

The childminder is caring and attentive and provides a stimulating and welcoming environment. Excellent relationships have been established and children respond really well to the childminder. She is an experienced and qualified practitioner and is committed to improving her childminding service and sustaining the high standards observed. For example, she is an accredited network childminder and attends regular training courses. Children have free choice from an extensive range of toys and resources which are very well set out and displayed to interest them. The playroom enhances children's learning as it is colourful, bright and interesting.

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and outcomes for children

Children really enjoy their learning and are extremely happy and settled with the childminder. They are eager to attend and make significant gains in their learning. Children have consistently good and often excellent levels of achievement that will help them to develop skills that will assist them in future learning. Children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 extremely confident and show high levels of independence, are interested, excited and motivated to learn. The childminder very effectively plans ahead and makes sure children are continually stimulated. Each child has the opportunity to take part in wide ranging activities; and planning can be adapted when necessary. Assessments of children's progression are maintained. The childminder has an excellent knowledge of children's ability, progress and next steps. However, this is not always reflected in the observational records.

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and outcomes for children

Children are active learners because the childminder allows them plenty of time to achieve tasks, for example, during a cooking activity. They have time to learn how to make bread for a pizza base to be eaten later. They weigh out flour and look for the number five on the scales. The childminder mixes hot water into cold and the child says 'that will make it warm'. A cookery book is open on the table and this promotes understanding that writing has meaning. The child asks 'can I pour the water in?' and understand they need to pour it slowly, managing extremely well. As they work together, numbers are introduced into the conversation. The child shows excellent levels of concentration and uses their developing vocabulary extremely well to ask questions about what will happen next. The childminder develops and extends this learning really well and tells them that for example, the bread will rise. During the morning the childminder and child return to check and

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and outcomes for children

Children play happily independently and alongside others, however, they very much enjoy it when the childminder joins in with their games. As they have fun sitting in the book area a child chooses to look at a book about dinosaurs. Together they identify colours, sizes and the child confidently counts to six whilst looking at the pictures. They describe the dinosaurs and say 'it is long' and when asked what is say 'the tail'. The addition of small world toys and skilful interaction and suggestions very effectively extend and develop learning. Children's understanding of the wider world is demonstrated effectively through planned opportunities to experience a range of festivals and special events. Visits to the library, school and groups help them to learn about those closer to them.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to become active, for example, the baby has space to crawl around happily chatting as they play. They have lots of fun as they empty the box of toys and squeal and laugh as they select a rattle and musical box. Suitable equipment such as a walker supports them as they develop new skills. Interactive toys such as the small piano amuse and interest them. Continuous provision into the garden provides the children with an exciting and stimulating environment in which to develop and refine their physical skills and gain a positive attitude to health and exercise. They learn and understand about healthy living through daily routines, tasks and discussion. A range of fresh fruit is offered daily and water is accessible at all times. The childminder promotes healthy eating and provides some of the meals for the children, others have theirs provided by parents. Children show they feel very safe and secure from a very early age. They

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and outcomes for children

are confident to confide in adults at the setting. Younger children develop confidence as they explore their surroundings and begin to take well managed risks, such as holding onto to furniture and other objects. They demonstrate that they are secure enough to play by themselves when the childminder is close by. 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 1 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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