Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY357810 Inspection date 26/01/2012 Inspector Ann Moss

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged six years and 19 months of age in Crawley, West Sussex. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, no more than two of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 provides a happy, inclusive and well resourced environment where children are settled and overall make good progress in their learning. However, children's next steps are not fully analysed. Partnerships with parents are strong ensuring that children's welfare is met overall. The childminder self-evaluates her business to identity her strengths and areas for improvement and has well targeted action plan in place. The childminding demonstrates a sound 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?

 analyse observations to help plan next steps for individual children  extend opportunities to help children to be aware of risks and to consider their own and others' safety, for example, through ensuring all children practise the fire evacuation drill.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded. A range of comprehensive policies and procedures, that underpin the service provided, are regularly reviewed, carefully managed and implemented by the childminder. For example, she knows what steps to take if she has a concern about a child in her care and has completed appropriate training. She keeps all required records, that promote children's health, safety and well-being and shares them with parents. Thorough risk assessments ensure that children can explore and play safely in the home and when on outings. Clear fire safety precautions are in place and children learn about This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 evacuation procedures through discussion, but they do not currently take part in regular practises to identify any problems encountered.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of all available space providing children with a happy, homely environment that successfully reflects children's backgrounds. They gain sense of belonging as they seek out items that are important to them such as a comforter. Resources and play materials are of high quality, suitable for the ages of children and used well to support learning and development. Equality and diversity is well embedded throughout the childminder's practice. The childminder works in partnership with parents and carers to recognise the uniqueness of each child to ensure their individual needs are identified and met. The childminder makes the most of practical activities and experiences to help children understand the diverse sociality in which they live. Children learn about the similarities and differences of others for instance through their play and celebrating festivals such as Chinese New Year.

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the early years provision

The childminder recognises the value of continuous quality improvement and how this impacts on children's achievements. She uses the Ofsted self-evaluation form as a basis of ongoing internal review and assessing what the setting offers and areas for future development. She communicates with parents through a variety of media each day and provides a wealth of written information providing an insight into their child's care and learning. This also provides opportunity for parents to contribute to their child's learning at home. The childminder welcomes parents' feedback to help to identify any areas she can develop. The feedback from parents demonstrates they are happy with the quality service their children receive. The children attending do not, as yet, attend other settings; however, the childminder is aware of the importance of developing links with other providers and partners supporting children's individual needs to ensure continuity and coherence between.

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and outcomes for children

Children take part in a wide range of interesting and stimulating activities and experiences that support their development and learning. The childminder's good knowledge of their individual needs ensures that activities are very well matched to their interest and abilities. She makes regular observation of their achievements and uses theses to identify next steps for their learning, although currently these are not always followed up and reviewed in order to monitor children's progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate that they feel happy and secure through their body language and constant smiles. They are well motivated and able to work independently. There language for communication is well supported as childminder talks to the children as they play, encouraging them to express themselves through song and rhyme. They develop an early awareness and joy of looking at books while sitting on the childminder's knee. They anticipate the story and turn the page eagerly to look at the next picture. Children learn to problem solve as they work out which buttons to press to make a toy instrument play music. They laugh out load and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 twist around showing their delight at their own achievement. Children develop their imaginary play skills as they push and pull small world vehicles. They enjoy visiting friends and attending toddler groups with the childminder which develops

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and outcomes for children

their socialising skills, and the walks around the local community support their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. Children develop skills for the future as they develop their communication, problem-solving and reasoning skills during their play and as they respond to the childminder's questions throughout the day. Children behaviour is managed well, for example, young children are reminded that balls are for throwing, not fruit.

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and outcomes for children

Children's understanding of safety is demonstrated through their play. They are beginning to recognise dangers and how to keep themselves safe, for instance, asking the childminder to reach for something they can not manage. They gain and understanding of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle as they follow good personal hygiene routines and make healthily eating choices. Visits to the park and toddler groups provides many opportunities to engage in physical activities as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, building on early skills such as balance, running and climbing. 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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