Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY414620 Inspection date 31/10/2011 Inspector Judith Reed

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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 2010. The childminder lives with her husband, two school age children, one adult son and his girlfriend. They live in a house in the Swanmore area of Hampshire. All areas of the property are used for childminding; however children generally use the downstairs rooms. Toilet facilities are on both floors. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a dog, four cats and a rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care for children aged over five to 11 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 extremely well supported by the childminder. She is very well aware of their individual needs. Their individual development and learning is enhanced, by the excellent communication with parents and other agencies. Equality and diversity are very effectively promoted. The childminder continually evaluates her practices. She ensures the ongoing development of the childcare provision through improved resources, planning exciting activities, communication and training.

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further?

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

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further?

 recording the extremely effective communication between settings, to ensure children's needs are met and that there is further continuity in their learning.

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the early years provision

Children are fully safeguarded. The childminder knows the safeguarding procedures regarding reporting all issues and concerns. She keeps useful documentation for support and knowledge regarding safeguarding issues. She keeps her training up-to-date. She shares all her policies and procedures with the parents to ensure they are also fully aware. All adults living in the home have completed the necessary checks. The childminder has an exceedingly good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding of managing risks and keeping children safe at all times. For example, the childminder carries out and reviews full risk assessments around her home and garden. Through regular play activities and routines, she involves children in recognising and addressing risks, so they are fully aware but not fearful. The childminder is particularly careful when taking children out and about.

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the early years provision

They wear high visibility jackets and she ensures she keeps emergency contact information with her at all times.

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the early years provision

The childminder builds excellent professional relationships with parents. She ensures they are fully informed about their children's development. She completes an informative daily diary for all children in the early years age group. Parents contribute to this record to exchange information. When children commence with the childminder, she asks parents to complete an All About Me booklet. This helps set starting points for their individual learning journeys. The childminder creates informative posters showing 'Things we like to do'. This includes photographs of the children taking part in various activities. She also displays a poster depicting the six areas of learning, to help keep parents fully informed. Parents are invited to complete questionnaires to contribute to the evaluation of the childminding provision. Parents state that they are extremely pleased to have found such a skilled childminder, who supports children's development by building self-esteem

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the early years provision

and confidence. They state that their children are very comfortable and particularly enjoy singing and dancing activities as noted in the daily diary. This highly involves parents and promotes exceptional outcomes in their children's learning and development. The childminder liaises closely with other agencies that support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She works effectively with speech therapists and physiotherapists. Occupational health therapists visit the childminder's home to assess and observe the children. The childminder follows their instructions and ensures children's development. She also meets with key workers at the local pre-school to provide continuity in children's learning. However, she does not record these meetings in their individual learning journals.

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the early years provision

Equality and diversity is comprehensively promoted at all times. The childminder displays many posters, maps and pictures reflecting other cultures to raise children's awareness of diversity. She treats all children as individuals and ensures additional support is available when required. She ensures therapists' instructions are included as part of the daily routine to help narrow the achievement gap. Children who speak English as an additional language are well supported within the setting. To ensure children's safety, resources not suitable for younger children are stored away. The resources and environment are extremely well planned and accessible to the children. Two dedicated playrooms are available and children move around as they choose. They help themselves to toys and equipment from clearly labelled storage containers and drawers. A well planned garden is also available, with a wooden patio which can be used all year around. The childminder

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the early years provision

purchases new equipment to meet the children's individual needs. For example, she has a small trampoline as younger children are not safe using the full-sized trampoline. She also has an additional tricycle to suit the requirements of individual children.

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the early years provision

The childminder carries out effective self-evaluation of her provision and reviews this regularly. She finds this an extremely useful tool and continually searches for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ways to develop. She continues to update her training and plans to attend several courses to ensure she remains fully up-to-date at all times. She also meets other childminders and a support worker to discuss and develop good practice. The childminder is passionate about caring for children and is highly motivated and therefore, continues to strive for improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children's development in all areas of learning is carefully planned. This is done through high quality observations and rigorous assessment of children's learning. This helps the childminder identify and plan their next steps, skilfully linking planning to interesting and exciting activities. This leads to the children making exceptional progress from their starting points. The childminder ensures she provides challenging experiences across all areas of learning. Children are very active learners. A balance of adult-led and child-led activities are available. There is continual purposeful play and exploration.

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and outcomes for children

Children flourish as the childminder supports their learning, by talking to them and asking questions to make them think. She asks children about the colours of flowers they are threading on a string. She also asks questions such as 'How many have you got left?' Children carefully count up to three. Younger children begin to repeat words and find a play table fascinating. They repeat the words such as 'yellow, red and open.' The play table also demonstrates French, which supports children who speak English as an additional language. The childminder helps to develop children's confidence and self-esteem by involving them in preparations for festival celebrations. They help to make cakes and decorate them ready for a party with the older children after school. Children's physical development is enhanced when they ask to have music and dancing. They make choices about which CD to play and join in very enthusiastically. Children also bring out the

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and outcomes for children

musical instruments to accompany the music and demonstrate creative development.

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and outcomes for children

Children's safety is a high priority. The childminder helps them to learn how to keep themselves safe. Children take part in regular fire evacuation drills. They are very familiar with safety routines when walking out and about the rural country lanes. The childminder demonstrates how to use equipment properly to reduce the risk of accidents. She talks to children about being safe and using equipment, such as scissors in a safe manner. Children share toys and understand that they need to keep the environment tidy. They begin to understand their own needs and those of others, as they support each other when playing together. Children behave extremely well. They cooperate, share and are thoughtful towards each other. For example, children make friends and pass toys to one another. Children receive outstanding individual support, reassurance and respect from the childminder. This enables development in self-esteem, self-worth and helps them to believe in

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and outcomes for children

themselves, as well as being well aware of the importance of making a positive contribution to their communities and families. They are rewarded and thanked individually. Children develop very valuable skills for their future lives. They are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encouraged to ask questions and develop varied interests. Children are provided with resources, time and attention required to ensure they develop all key skills needed for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children's very good health and well being is promoted to a high level. They demonstrate exceptional understanding of how to keep themselves clean as they follow rigorous hygiene routines. They know about using the individual, clean, hand drying towels available in the toilet. They dispose of these in the basket after use. They look at and talk about poster displays which promote good hygiene and inform children when and how to wash their hands. Children are thoroughly protected from cross-infection during nappy changes. The childminder covers the changing mat with individual, fitted, towelling covers for each child, and these are laundered daily or more frequently if required. She also wears gloves to protect herself and the children from any infection. The children enjoy many opportunities for energetic play during dancing, in the garden, parks and during walks to and from the local school and pre-school. The childminder is fully aware of children's

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and outcomes for children

individual dietary requirements and works closely with parents to extend their taste and experience of food. For example, healthy and nutritious lunches include olives, vegetable sticks, cheese, and hummus sandwiches. Children relish the opportunity to try different tastes and textures. The childminder provides healthy cooked evening meals and water drinks are available at all times. This helps children develop and enjoy very healthy lifestyles. 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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