Childminder in East Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 955390 Inspection date 13/12/2011 Inspector Joanne Barnett

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and two school-aged children in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex The whole of the ground floor of the family home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She currently has one child on roll within the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder drives or walks to local schools to take and collect children. She also attends the local toddler group and childminder groups. She is 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 supports children's learning and development needs well, helping them to make good progress towards the early learning goals. She provides a warm, welcoming environment for the children and their families. This is reflected in the good partnerships she has established with parents and carers, and the good systems in place for sharing information. However, this in not fully embedded with the learning records. The childminder has recently started childminding again after a short break. Her self-evaluation is evolving and she has identified and acted upon some weaknesses in her provision. The childminder is committed to providing a quality service through ongoing training to enable her provision to make continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 encourage parents to review their children's progress regularly and contribute to their child's learning and development record.  improve the system of self-evaluation to further identify strengths and areas to develop to monitor the effectiveness of the provision fully and further improve outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of how to keep children safe while in her care. The childminder implements her safeguarding policy well and understands the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about the welfare of a child. The childminder has carried out a risk assessment of her home, garden and for outings, reflecting her good understanding of health and safety issues. She has good measures in place to keep children safe, for example installing safety gates across doorways. She organises the toys and resources effectively to enable children to play in a safe, secure environment. Storage containers of toys are at child height to encourage them to make choices in their play. Children play with a good range of resources which are well maintained and suitable for them. They access toys easily and move around freely, playing in the playroom or the conservatory, using the messy activities. Resources, such as small

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the early years provision

world characters and books, reflect positive images of the diversity of people within the community.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic and well motivated to provide a good service to all the users of her setting. She constantly seeks parental views through verbal discussion and makes changes to children's care to ensure their interests and needs are met. The childminder has a good understanding of each child's background and individual needs, enabling her to provide appropriate support and learning opportunities. The childminder demonstrates a clear awareness of her strengths and generally has well-targeted plans for improvement. Her methods of self-evaluation do not use a systematic approach to help her to monitor the effectiveness of her provision fully; however, her commitment to and plans for development, are likely to result in further improved outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Partnership with parents is very positive and the childminder helps to ensure each child's needs are met. Parents receive a daily diary with a detailed description of their child's routine and activities each day. This promotes continuity of care for the children and ensures their welfare is given high regard. However, children's assessment records are not shared on a regular basis to enable parents to fully contribute to this record. Parents receive a set of written policies and procedures to keep them informed of the childminder's responsibilities. Parents are extremely satisfied with the care the childminder offers and feel their children are made to feel like one of her family. The childminder understands the importance of establishing partnerships with outside agencies and other providers who share care, to meet children's needs. This is in the process of being fully embedded into the childminder's practice.

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and outcomes for children

Children appear settled and comfortable and have very good relationships with the childminder. Children show fascination as they sing action songs together while This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they play. They explore their environment, learning about cause and effect as they push buttons on simple push-along toys. They show real enjoyment mixing and whisking soap suds in a large bucket on the floor. Puzzles, construction and small world toys further develop children's language and their hand and eye co- ordination. Children move around the room using their senses to explore the different resources and learning new skills as they climb up and down low level steps. The childminder offers lots of praise and encouragement, along with cuddles to support children's confidence and sense of belonging. The childminder continually provides support and guidance, using good questioning skills to

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and outcomes for children

encourage the children to think and develop their knowledge and understanding.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a good understanding healthy lifestyles. They have daily opportunities to benefit from fresh air and exercise, take walks in the park, and go on special days out or visits with other childminding groups in the community. Meals are supplied by the parents, with healthy snacks provided by the childminder. Good hygiene procedures are encouraged and children learn the importance of personal care routines. They wash their hands before eating, and tissues are available for them to wipe their noses. The childminder ensures this is supplemented by good hygiene routines; for example, she wears gloves for nappy- changing to prevent cross-infection. A sick-child policy informs parents when not to bring children to the childminder's home, helping to protect all children from infection. They use a good variety of large play equipment, developing their physical skills, co-ordination and balance well. Healthy snacks are offered alongside

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and outcomes for children

occasional treats, with conversations about what foods are good for them and why.

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and outcomes for children

Children are valued and respected within the childminder's home, regardless of background or ability. Children show they feel safe as they approach the childminder for support and happily babble while enjoying her participation. The childminder talks to children about keeping themselves safe when walking around the house and negotiating steps. Children behave extremely well and are fully aware of the expectations of the childminder. She talks to them about what they would like to play with and helps to support their confidence and social skills through good interaction. Children's progress in communication, literacy and skills relating to communication technology is developing well. Very young children are active, inquisitive learners, and develop good skills to support them in the future. 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 2 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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