Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY275326 Inspection date 07/11/2011 Inspector Alison Large

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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two school-aged children in a house in the Burgess Hill area of West Sussex. All areas of the ground floor 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 both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. Of these, three may be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for two children in the early years age group. The childminder is able to walk or drive to local schools to take and collect children. The family has two cats. The childminder attends a variety of groups on a regular basis and 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 outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of child development and provides a caring environment for children where they can be happy and secure. Children relish their time with the childminder and they are welcomed into a warm, friendly home where they are equally valued and included. The childminder has an excellent partnership with the parents and overall ensures they are fully involved in their children's learning and development. The childminder is committed to the continual improvement of the setting and providing outstanding care. This means children in the Early Years Foundation Stage thrive and make excellent progress.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 enhancing further the systems for observational assessment by consistently including parents' contributions to this process.

p.4

the early years provision

Arrangements to safeguard the children are robust. The childminder attends regular safeguarding training to ensure her knowledge remains updated. She ensures children are well cared for, and always supervised by an appropriate adult. The childminder and other household members are suitably vetted, and the childminder is fully aware of her duty to help protect the children in her care. She has an excellent knowledge of child protection issues and her role and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 responsibilities to help keep children from harm. The childminder carries out thorough risk assessments throughout the home and for outings to fully promote children's safety.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder is dedicated to promoting children's welfare and supporting their learning and development. She is highly motivated and committed and continually strives to improve her practice. The childminder has devised a questionnaire, which she uses to gather parent's views and those of the children, so they can add any suggestions for improvement to her practice. Self-evaluation systems are in place, which fully identify and deal with any areas for development. There is a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place to help 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.

p.5

the early years provision

Children flourish in the childminder's care. She has a superb partnership with the parents and shares a wide variety of information with them. This helps to ensure that children's experiences in the setting are enhanced and parents are involved in their child's learning. The childminder makes relevant observations of the children's progress in their learning journals, which are appropriately linked to the different areas of learning. She uses these to plan for the next steps in each child's learning and development. She shares these with parents regularly, although parental contributions to this particular aspect observational assessment are not fully developed. However, parents write in the daily diaries about the excellent care and attention the childminder gives the children and how they are always excited and eager to spend time with her. Parents receive thorough feedback about their children's routines and achievements at the end of the day and through daily

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is fully aware of her responsibility to link up and share information about the child's learning with the other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She takes children to various groups to extend their learning and continually liaises with schools and other early years settings. As a result, children receive extremely good support from all those involved in their care and learning.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children benefit from the childminder's attentive and caring nature and her enthusiasm to promote learning through play. They develop warm and secure relationships with the childminder, who supports the children extremely well and takes care of their individual needs. As a result, children behave well and develop high levels of confidence and self-esteem. All children make excellent progress in every area of learning. The childminder 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.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children take part in a wide range of activities outside the home. These include This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 visits to toddler groups, or trips to the farm or other places of interest, where they meet and interact with other children and adults of all ages. The learning environment is bright and well organised, allowing children to play freely. Regular observations and assessments are made by the childminder and are used to ensure the children are consistently moving towards the next steps in their learning. Children's progress records also include many photographs of the children engaged in activities and provide excellent records for parents. These also enable children to share the exciting events they have taken part in with their parents.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder enjoys supporting children's learning and takes an interest in what they say and do. Children's vocabulary is promoted due to the excellent interaction between the childminder and child. A wide range of toys and resources, are provided for the children to access. 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 enjoy the many activities provided, and talk excitedly to the childminder and each other when playing with the puppets and role-play equipment or preparing their snack.

p.6

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 foods that are good for them as they help to cut fruit at snack time. She also explains why they need to wash their hands before eating or after using the toilet. They access the outdoors in all weathers to have regular fresh air and exercise. They enjoy playing in the garden or visiting local parks or play areas. Children are making excellent progress in all areas of development. They are confident and keen to join in with activities and are developing warm relationships with each other and the childminder. The childminder is committed to providing the best quality care and education for all children. They take part in some planned

p.6

and outcomes for children

activities and also have many opportunities to initiate their own play. The childminder has an excellent knowledge of each child. Those who require additional support are well catered for and their progress is monitored effectively. 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 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.7

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

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