Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY427253 Inspection date 09/12/2011 Inspector Amanda Tyson

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 2011 on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two children, aged three and six years in Ashtead, Surrey. The family have a cat. The home is situated within walking distance of woodlands, a play park, the high street shops, and a main line station with direct links to London and Epsom. All areas of the home are registered for childminding use. Play activities take place downstairs where there is a family room which incorporates the kitchen, a utility room, toilet and lounge as well as a secure garden for outdoor play. The bedrooms are mainly used for sleep purposes. The family bathroom is located on the first floor. The childminder is registered to care for four children aged under eight years; of these no more than two may be in the early years age group, of whom no more than one may be under one. There are currently five children

p.4

Description of the childminding

under eight years on roll; of these four are within the early years age range.

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

Children have a trusting and affectionate relationship with the childminder. Systems for monitoring and assessing children's progress towards the early learning goals are not fully developed. Nonetheless, children's good progress is evident by the quality of their play and learning within the home, and level of stimulating interaction between them and the childminder. Children are cared for in a secure, clean and generally very well resourced environment. However, the childminder has failed to meet a legal requirement relating to fire safety on the premises which means she is in beach of regulation. With this exception, self- evaluation is effective in identifying priorities for improvement and, overall, capacity for improvement is good.

p.4

further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.4

further?

 ensure that the premises has sufficient and appropriate fire detection equipment (Premises, environment and equipment) 26/12/2011

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop a systematic and routine approach to using observations to assess the progress that children are making towards the early learning goals This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Children's welfare is, in the main, safeguarded well. The childminder understands her responsibilities for child protection and these are clearly explained to parents in a written policy statement. Risk assessment is effective in minimising accidents, and a lost child situation from occurring whilst on an outing. There is a smoke detector installed on the ground floor and the planned procedure for evacuating the premises in the event of a fire is practised with the children. However, the childminder has not met the commitment she made at registration to install a smoke detector to the first floor of the premises. Children sleep in a travel cot on the first floor and electrical equipment, such as televisions, are stored in some bedrooms. This is a breach of regulation which compromises children's safety.

p.5

the early years provision

Equality and diversity is promoted well within all aspects of the childminder's practice. Play and learning resources are in plentiful supply; of good quality, stored attractively at children's level, represent people differences, and are appropriate for their age and stage of development. Good use is made of the outdoors, immediate community and public facilities, such as museums during the school holidays, to promote all areas of learning.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has been particularly proactive in initiating and establishing partnership working with the preschools that some of the children attend. She now knows what children's specific learning targets are and what the curriculum topic is. This enables her to support their learning and development by providing complementary activities. Parents are very happy with the care provided. They say the daily routine and clear, fair boundaries make children feel really secure. They appreciate the healthy snacks and meals she provides, and the strong feature of all-weather outdoor play. Communication between the childminder and parents about children's health and wellbeing and general play activities is very good. Children's progress towards the early learning goals is less well shared, but the childminder has identified this and prioritised it as an area for improvement.

p.5

the early years provision

Since registration the childminder has attended a number of local training workshops and seminars, and gained activity ideas from the local Children's Centre. The childminder reflects on her learning and practice to identify specific priorities for improvement. The childminder has yet to implement a systematic process of self-evaluation, but this is also identified as a key priority. The childminder is committed to sustaining ongoing improvement.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The foundations for children to develop healthy and active lifestyle habits are being firmly laid through the provision of health snacks and meals and outdoor play opportunities throughout the year. Children tuck into a combination of dried and fresh fruit mid morning and home-made shepherd's pie for dinner. They have a lot This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of fun outdoors in the snow and rain; enjoy making dens from ferns and tree branches at the local forest school project, and playing in the childminder's garden after school. Younger children's understanding of safety is reinforced as the childminder encourages them to strap the baby (doll) into the chair so it does not fall out. The way that they independently move around the house and happily go to bed shows that they feel safe and secure. However, the cot is positioned on the first floor where there is no smoke detector. Positive behaviour is very well

p.5

and outcomes for children

encouraged. Table manners are encouraged and well role modelled by older children. Two year olds love to help prepare the table for snacks and lunch and do so with high levels of competence.

p.6

and outcomes for children

During term time home-based play time is limited because of school runs and visits to community groups. However, when they are home children's play is absolutely delightful and highly worthwhile learning takes place. The childminder follows children's lead and supports their play and learning with appropriate interactions, as well as providing some planned activities. For example, knowing that the builders are going to be onsite with a digger to prepare the driveway for new paving, she prepares a tray of dried rice with all the small diggers and cement mixer vehicles and selects books about diggers and trucks for children to independently explore. They enjoy watching the process of digging up, emptying and levelling the surface of the drive. Seeing working diggers and tipper trucks at such close range brings learning to life. Children care for dolls as if they were real babies. They make excellent use of all the accessories, such as dummies, bottles,

p.6

and outcomes for children

highchairs and prams. Day trips during the school holidays, for example to museums and exhibitions, introduce them to cultural differences, such as what masks are used for in Thailand. Young children become mesmerised by the skeletons of animals and insects, such as moths that are displayed.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to develop the skills for future learning. Boys enjoy using the childminder's 'how to draw' books because they are linked to their specific interests, such as dinosaurs or mini-beasts. This encourages them to use pencils. Younger children love the little writing desk and visit often to make a picture. Books are freely available and much enjoyed by the children. The childminder has recently acquired a fabulous range of technology resources. She has yet to introduce all of these, but has made a start. For example children use the portable microscope to look closely at mini beasts. 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 3 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 3 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