Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY436171 Inspection date 27/03/2012 Inspector Helen Penticost

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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 partner and three children; two school age, one pre-school age. They live in an end terrace, upper floor maisonette that is situated in a residential area of Horsham, West Sussex. There is an enclosed communal garden available for outdoor play which is used only under the childminder's direct supervision. The family keep two cats and a tortoise as pets. The premises are within walking distance to schools, parks and shops.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Her registration allows her to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time; of these, not more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for one child in the early years age group. The childminder operates Monday to Friday, all year round. Her normal operational hours are from 8am to 6pm. However, she will consider working outside these hours to meet parents' requirements.

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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 offers a calm, caring and welcoming environment, where children feel safe and secure. Children progress well overall in all areas of learning, and their individual needs are well met. She fully fosters partnerships with parents and has systems to develop relationships with other providers, in the event of children attending other early years settings. The documents required for the well-being of the children and the smooth running of the setting are mostly in place. The childminder has an accurate understanding of her service and demonstrates a good 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?

 increase resources to fully promote positive attitudes to diversity and disability, thus encouraging children to discuss similarities and differences and the reasons for them, to help them value aspects of their own and other people's lives  maintain a record of evacuation drills in the fire log book, which includes details of any problems encountered and how they were resolved. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Safeguarding procedures are robust. The childminder has a clear awareness and understanding about what to do if she has any concerns about children in her care. She has many clearly written policies and procedures in place. The childminder practices fire evacuation with the children; however, she does not maintain a record of this in a fire log. Details of any accidents that children may have or any medication given to them are clearly recorded and shared with the relevant parents on the day. All necessary parental permissions have been obtained.

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the early years provision

Resources within the home are well organised and provide a stimulating and child friendly play environment. The good quality resources are easily accessible to children from the low level storage within the lounge. This enables children to follow their own interests and desires and initiate their own play experiences. Daily routines are flexible and are focused around their individual needs, with time for quiet play, as well as fresh air and exercise. The childminder has a sound attitude towards equality and diversity issues and promotes these with the children. They learn about the world around them, as the childminder introduces them to other cultures, traditions and celebrations. However, resources to reflect diversity are limited, which does not fully support children's awareness of disability and diversity. There are currently no children on roll who attend other settings or need support from other agencies. However, the childminder has systems in place to

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the early years provision

work in partnership with any other settings or agencies when or if the need arises.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of her strengths and areas for development. Since registration, she has implemented a good range of polices and procedures that support her business. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification and plenty of years of experience in caring for children in the early years age group. These factors demonstrate a good capacity for driving and embedding continuous improvement. Through good verbal communication and with the use of a daily diary, parents are kept informed about their child's day. This means that they are fully aware of what their children have enjoyed taking part in, along with information about their care. Contracts are drawn up and parental consents sought to support the clearly agreed arrangements. The childminder has a clear system in place to gather information from parents regarding children's individual needs from the onset. Parents provide high praise for the childminder, as they comment that

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the early years provision

she is 'completely flexible, trustworthy and honest and I would absolutely recommend her as a great childminder'.

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and outcomes for children

Young children progress well in all areas of learning and development, because the childminder provides a warm, caring and welcoming environment. The childminder is fully aware of the children's interests and next steps in their learning. She provides a variety of activities that young children take part in with enjoyment and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 interest. For example, they are able to select resources easily and enjoy using the interactive toys, such as the children's laptop, which produces flashing lights and a musical tune when they press buttons. These activities lay good foundations for the development of skills for the future. Children enjoy playing with the play tent, hiding inside and waiting for the childminder to knock at the door, so that they can answer it. They sit and place plastic eggs that have a shape imprinted on the bottom into the egg box and explore which space the eggs fit into. The

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and outcomes for children

childminder is sensitive to their needs and although she sits near to the children, only helps when they need it. Children enjoy using musical instruments, which they can access easily.

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and outcomes for children

Young children respond well to the calm and caring approach of the childminder. She gently supports and encourages them as they play and she gives high levels of praise and encouragement, helping to increase their confidence. As a result, behaviour is good and children feel safe and secure in the setting. Children play confidently on their own and thoroughly enjoy activities such as feet printing and cornflour play. Children select books freely from the well displayed range and their early communications are consistently responded to by the childminder, which supports their confidence in developing communication skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn about healthy lifestyles. The young children are encouraged to have their hands wiped before they eat. Children sit at the table to eat the healthy snacks and meals that are prepared by the childminder, in accordance with their individual dietary needs. They have easy access to drinking water throughout the day, in age appropriate cups which are stored within their reach. Children sleep according to their needs and are carefully monitored. Children have regular access to the outside areas, use the communal garden regularly and are taken on walks around the local area. Children make good progress, because the childminder makes sure that they are challenged effectively. Although she has been caring for children in the early years age range for only a short time, she has developed effective systems for obtaining information from parents and for recording children's achievements, in order to plan next steps in

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and outcomes for children

their learning. 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 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 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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