Childminder in Southampton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY430842 Inspection date 15/12/2011 Inspector Lynn Reeves

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and their two children in a residential area, close to Southampton in Hampshire. The property is close to schools, shops and parks and the childminder makes use of local parks and recreational grounds to promote children's physical development. Minded children have access to all areas of the ground floor, with rest and toilet facilities on the first floor.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years old at any one time. Currently there is one child on roll in the early years age group.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are welcomed into a caring environment where they are all included. They make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. However, the procedures for monitoring their progress are not fully effective and resources are basic. Children are generally kept safe although the childminder does not record fire drills. She has started to develop systems of self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities to demonstrate the capacity to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance the learning environment for babies and young children by providing resources which are appropriate, well maintained and accessible develop a systematic and routine approach to using observations and assessment to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress  record details of evacuation drills, detailing any problems encountered and how these were resolved.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the satisfactory strategies in place to promote their safety and well-being. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of child protection issues which helps to safeguard children. Any visitors to the home are monitored and all adults living in the home are suitably vetted. Daily visual checks are undertaken to promote children's safety while in the home and the childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 has written lists to see what needs to be checked, Fire evacuations have been conducted with children to ensure they know what to do in an emergency situation. However, these are not being recorded to evaluate any problems encountered. The childminder has an appropriate range of policies and procedures which are shared with parents to ensure they develop an understanding of her role and responsibilities.

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the early years provision

In the short time since registration, the childminder has implemented generally effective systems to evaluate her provision. She has committed herself to further childcare training and plans to build up her range of resources. This demonstrates her ability to continuously improve outcomes for children. The childminder is fully supportive, spending her time constructively involved in play and engaging in conversation with the children. Her home is organised to ensure children have the opportunity to move around freely. However, the resources available are basic and are not arranged effectively to ensure children can make their own choices. The toys available reflect diversity and enable children to gain an understanding of the wider world from an early age. The childminder recognises that children are varied individuals and have different needs in accordance with their stage of development and personal circumstances.

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the early years provision

Parents receive information about their child's general well-being through daily conversation at handover and collection time. The childminder collates relevant information from parents using child record information forms and through discussion to ensure needs and routines are met. There are currently no children on roll who attend other settings or need support from other agencies. However, the childminder is aware of the need to work in partnership with any other setting if the need arises.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of how to implement the Early Years Foundation Stage and provides children with activities which help them progress steadily. She is starting to monitor the children's progress through general observations. However, her records do not fully reflect how the activities are linked to the six areas of learning or show the identified next steps for children's progress which can then be measured against their achievements. This makes it difficult to track their progress and plan for their individual learning needs. Children are confident and relaxed in the childminder's care as she interacts well with their play. They enjoy colouring and drawing and are developing early writing skills. They enjoy listening to stories and looking at books although these are not easily accessible.

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and outcomes for children

The children take part in messy play activities, gluing with collage materials and model-making with various textures and materials. They are developing their early numeracy skills through construction play, for example as they count, stack and sort the plastic bricks. They are beginning to recognise and name different colours and the sizes of the things they play with. They use their imagination playing with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 small world people. They name the characters and enjoy sorting the cars into different size groups. They develop satisfactory skills for the future as they use some electronic toys with buttons and switches. Young children are beginning to recognise numbers and letters as they complete puzzles. They show curiosity as they attempt to push buttons on toys, finding out how things work and squealing with delight as they hear various noises. They enjoy watching out of the window to

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and outcomes for children

see the lorries turning in the street and listening to sirens as police cars pass by. Their early language skills are developing as they repeat words that they hear and try to sing and mimic actions to familiar nursery rhymes. They are developing good hand-eye coordination as they try to throw and catch balls.

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with healthy nutritious snacks and are learning suitable hygiene routines, such as washing their hands before eating. They benefit from fresh air on a daily basis as they go on walks or go to local parks where they can develop their physical skills. They are beginning to learn to keep safe as they are reminded to sit carefully at the table, not to run indoors and how to cross the road safely when out walking. They play a positive contribution as they are learning to manage their behaviour. This is due to clear and consistent boundaries and to the praise and encouragement the childminder provides. They learn to be kind to others and to have good manners. 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 3 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 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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