Childminder in Portsmouth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY263500 Inspection date 09/11/2011 Inspector Michele Beasley

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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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her partner and two children who are school aged. They live in a house in Fratton, Portsmouth. The property is close to local schools and amenities and transport links. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

When working alone, the childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of five children at any one time, of these no more than three may be in the early years age range. When working with one assistant this rises to eight children with six being in the early years range. The childminder currently has three children on roll who attend part-time and three who attend full-time, all in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a qualified practitioner, a member of a childminding network and a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a strong understanding of child development and recognises children's individual characteristics and abilities. She plans and organises her provision to fully meet and promote children's ongoing learning, which is good in most areas. There are very high levels of liaison with parents and excellent links with other agencies to support children's development. The childminder has a committed attitude to reviewing her practice and therefore demonstrates a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide opportunities for children to gain a better understanding and awareness of the cultures, religions and lives of others through a range of activities

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the early years provision

The children are secure and happy in the childminder's care because she has a professional approach to her childminding. Children are safeguarded well, as the childminder has attended advanced child protection training. She has a clear This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding of the procedures to follow should she have a concern regarding child protection and she ensures children are supervised at all times. Risk assessments are conducted within the home, garden and for outings, and effective steps are taken to minimise any identified hazards. Good records and parental consents are in place to promote children's welfare and health, and a wide range of written policies and procedures underpin her good practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder offers a welcoming environment and is caring and works closely with the children. She is very dedicated to her role as a childminder and demonstrates a positive professional approach to her work with the children and their families. She reflects on her practice and displays a good commitment to providing good quality childcare. The childminder is dedicated to improving and enhancing her knowledge by attending training and keeping up-to-date with information from childcare publications. This consequently benefits the children in her care. Children develop an awareness of diversity through playing with resources depicting different nationalities. However, opportunities to learn about different cultures, religions and beliefs are limited. All children are included and take part in all activities, as the variety of play equipment suits their level of development. Resources are easily accessible in a variety of labelled storage units

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the early years provision

indoors and outdoors enabling children to make choices.

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the early years provision

The children benefit from the excellent relationships the childminder has with the parents. She keeps them fully informed by sharing information regularly through discussion at delivery and collection times, texts and emails and by sharing her policies and procedures with them. There is an exceptionally good shared knowledge and understanding about the children's individual needs, backgrounds and families which supports the children's welfare and learning needs are extremely well met. The childminder has written her own information leaflets for parents about behaviour management, allergies and intolerances, settling-in and toilet training. Parents also have opportunities to share their views about their child's individual welfare, learning and development verbally and in written format which the childminder feeds into the children's individual records. References from parents describe the childminder as 'going the extra mile for them'. The

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the early years provision

childminder has established exemplary links with other early years providers and health professionals. This supports a highly collaborative approach to children's welfare, learning and development is achieved.

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and outcomes for children

All children progress well and gain a good sense of belonging in the setting. They are valued as individuals and have a good relationship with the childminder and her assistant. Established routines help children feel confident and secure. Babies enjoy having cuddles when they are feeling tired and happily eat toast fingers and sliced grapes in their highchair with other minded children sitting at a table beside them. Children climb on and over soft play equipment and delight in pressing buttons on a toy phone. Toddlers smile and giggle when they make eye contact with others and show an interest in what is going on around them and what their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 peers are doing.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder quickly gets to know the children and speaks knowledgeably about their stages of development. Observations and assessments are made by the childminder for each child she cares for in the early years age group. Some photographs illustrate the observations made. Parents are kept well informed about their child and the childminder shares her assessment records with them. The next steps in children's learning and development are planned by the childminder to show how children are consistently progressing, and the childminder involves parents to help them continue the learning at home. The childminder is dedicated to providing good quality care and education for all children, and those who require additional support are well catered for and their progress is monitored effectively. Children are also becoming aware that information can be sought from computers and are beginning to learn basic skills

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and outcomes for children

such as how they can print out information they are interested in. The childminder and her assistant act as positive role models. This ensures children are polite and they develop respect for one another. Through the playing of resources such as items in treasure baskets and looking at liquid in sensory wooden blocks they are learning how to share, take turns and follow simple instructions. They are developing an understanding of how to keep themselves safe while on outings wearing high visibility vests and regularly practise the procedures for exiting the premises in an emergency.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle and enjoy time outdoors. Resources are labelled in storage boxes outside to aid continuous provision. They enjoy outings and walks that support their learning and development in all areas. Trips to the park provide opportunities for them to use a range of equipment such as swings, slides and climbing apparatus. During walks around the church children feed squirrels. Children enjoy the nutritious range of snacks and meals provided. They have their own corresponding coloured toothbrushes, towels, bowls, plates and cups giving them a sense of identity and belonging in the setting. 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 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 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 2

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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

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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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