Childminder in Surrey

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY432448 Inspection date 10/01/2012 Inspector Linda Close

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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 registered in 2011. She lives with her husband and two children, who are four and three years old. The childminder's home is situated in a residential road in Cobham, Surrey. She is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the home is used for childminding and children have access to an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder has two pet gerbils and fish in an indoor tank. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time; of these, one may be in the early years age group. The childminder currently has two children in the early years age group on roll, both attend part-time. She also offers care for children aged five to 11 years. The childminder is able to take and collect children from the local school and

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Description of the childminding

attends several toddler venues on a regular basis.

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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

Children are very well settled, relaxed and happy in the care of the childminder. They are fully involved in a carefully balanced programme of adult-led and child- led activities. The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge of child development and helps the children make good progress in all areas of learning. The childminder has established an outstanding partnership with parents and their close working relationship is very beneficial to the children. Overall, the childminder evaluates her service effectively. She accurately identifies her strengths and finds ways to develop and improve her work with children.

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further?

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

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further?

 plan an environment that is rich in signs, notices and words that takes into account children's different interests, understanding and home background  provide positive images that help children to embrace differences in relation to disabilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows a good understanding of safeguarding issues. She has devised a clear policy and procedure document, which she shares with parents. This ensures that parents are aware of the childminder's role and responsibility to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 protect children from harm. The childminder continually assesses the safety of all areas of her home. She also assesses potential risks for each venue she attends with the children.

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the early years provision

Overall, the childminder evaluates her work well and notes most areas for further development. This includes planning activities for the current and forthcoming weeks that will help children learn about other cultures; for example, Chinese New Year. The childminder is keen to learn more about outdoor learning environments, so that she can enhance children's learning about the natural world. She is very eager to continue to develop and improve her practice through personal study and further training.

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the early years provision

Children play in a clean and spacious living area with easy access to a wide range of good quality toys and books. Resources reflect a range of cultures, people and customs but only a few reflect people with disabilities. Numbers are displayed in the play area but there are not enough examples of words, signs and symbols for the children to see how writing is used.

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the early years provision

The childminder liaises effectively with other providers. She has recent experience of supporting children who attend school and are struggling with aspects of their learning. She has taken advice from specialist workers and therapists and highly values their guidance. The childminder is trained in the use of various systems that will help children develop their communication skills. She makes good use of her knowledge and experience to help children with speech development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established an exceptionally strong partnership with parents. This promotes consistency of care and each child's happiness and wellbeing. Parents write of their admiration of the childminder's organisational skills and how pleased they are with her high standards. The childminder's documentation is exemplary and she shares her detailed policies and procedure documents with parents. The childminder talks at length to parents about their child's progress. She provides them with a detailed daily record and a Learning Journey file. She enables parents to take a full part in their child's learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is very calm, kind and gentle. She charms the children so that they relax and feel safe in her care. She is particularly successful in cheering them up when their parents leave. On arrival the children have a special task of feeding the gerbils, which makes them smile. At the childminder's suggestion children bring food from home to help them feel secure. Eventually, with parents' agreement and when the children are ready, this routine is gradually changed and the childminder provides the meals. The children are gaining self-confidence and independence. The childminder knows when to support them and when to stand back and let them choose and explore. She praises them warmly when they help to put toys away, which raises their self-esteem. She actively promotes the development of children's social skills, for example, by planning art and craft play This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

dates with other children and adults. Visits to other venues for pre-school children give them an opportunity to take part in energetic play both indoors and out.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder helps children develop skills for the future through a worthwhile and varied programme of adult led activities and child initiated play. She helps them learn new words by vocalising as they play and they are very responsive. They are beginning to mimic her speech and confidently use a range of tones, sounds and actions to make their desires and feelings known. Children learn about numbers and counting using many words about size, position and quantity in their play. They are very confident in using technology. They can activate the interactive photograph album unaided and derive great pleasure in taking photographs with a digital camera.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder takes children on exciting outings to local gardens, parks and farms to learn about nature. The children dig in the garden and plant fruit and vegetables. They feed the birds in the garden, spotting different species through the window as they fly down to eat. The childminder carefully plans activities that will extend children's knowledge and understanding of materials and media. She actively promotes the development of children's creativity. She works and plays alongside them, giving support without imposing adult ideas on them. For example, she encourages them to explore food colouring mixed with detergent and allows them to apply paint, glitter and glue according to their own ideas. The childminder teaches children to wash their hands and find their own personal hand towel before eating. She provides fresh fruit snacks, frequent drinks of water and home cooked healthy meals. Children learn about road safety in the garden

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and outcomes for children

and on outings. They find out about the work of the fire service from visiting fire officers. Through play scenarios they learn it is best to go outside and dial 999 if there is a fire. 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 1 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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