Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY367269 Inspection date 18/04/2012 Inspector Christine Clint

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and two children, who both attend school. The family home is in Horsham, West Sussex. Children play and sleep on the ground floor only and use the bathroom on the first floor. They have access to the dining/sitting room and a conservatory/playroom. An enclosed rear garden is available for outside play, with a garden playroom. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She can care for a maximum four children at any one time, of these, three children may be in the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for four children on a part time basis, who are all in the early years age range. She attends local parent and toddler groups and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder shows a very high level of competence in meeting all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has developed fully effective systems to promote children's individual care and learning to an extremely high standard. She has increased her knowledge and awareness of early years as she enthusiastically continues to attend training. The childminder competently evaluates her provision and keenly adds ideas for future improvements. She has an excellent level of liaison with parents. Partnerships with other carers are effective in promoting children's progress throughout most stages of their development. The childminder is dedicated and committed to encouraging children's high levels of learning through play and through widening their experiences.

p.4

further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

p.4

further?

 extend the two-way flow of information with other carers to include children's next planned steps in development.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder is strongly committed to and highly successful in promoting children's safety and welfare. She regularly attends safeguarding training and has detailed procedures to show how she would refer any concerns about the children in her care. The childminder has developed a concise 'parent pack' which, fully explains her responsibilities and duties to parents. She vigilantly supervises the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children in order to keep them safe. The childminder carries out extremely thorough risk assessments of her home and for outings. Records of these are very clear and are regularly updated to show any action taken as changes occur.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a professional attitude and a high level of dedication. She has attended an extensive range of different training since the last inspection, including becoming an accredited childminder. This shows her self-motivation and commitment to continual improvement. The childminder has fully completed the recommendations from the last inspection. She has also completed an in-depth evaluation of all areas of her provision, including identifying her plans for future improvement. She has developed comprehensive systems to show how she assesses and monitors children's progress and how she plans their next steps in development. Children are highly stimulated by the learning environment around them and flourish due to the childminder's close and supportive interaction.

p.5

the early years provision

Children have ample resources for play and they can readily access a wide range of high quality equipment. The childminder prepares activities in advance of the children arriving and rotates toys to suit the needs and interests of the children attending. She shows an exceptional ability to encourage, interest and involve children of different ages, simultaneously. Children effectively learn about differences because the childminder reflects children's own family backgrounds and beliefs. She promotes respect for all religions and cultural practices, and provides additional resources to promote differences in age and ability. The childminder very successfully supports children's individual learning needs, encouraging all children to join in, for example, using sign language to increase communication skills.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has excellent systems in place to gain information from parents before their children start. This greatly enhances children's security, settling and sense of belonging. The childminder uses this information to fully promote children's individual learning and plan in detail for their future learning needs. She has a very high level of communication with parents and they have completed questionnaires since the last inspection. Daily diaries are used to give parents a broad and concise description of children's activities, interests, enjoyment and progress. Parents have noticed the clear improvements in children's speech since they have learnt to use sign language. Parents have contributed to the learning records with information about children's achievements at home and they willingly share and encourage children's next steps in development. The childminder has established close partnerships in the community and especially with children's

p.5

the early years provision

other carers. She shares information regularly with other carers to support and encourage children's ongoing development; although not all planned next steps for children's progress are currently discussed.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are fully occupied and interested as they follow their own ideas and seek out resources of their choice. Younger children flourish because they confidently This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 use sign language and this has enhanced their communication, confidence and self-esteem. Children build with construction equipment and find various sized pieces to fit together. They touch and feel different materials and learn to describe these; they enjoy the sounds that the crinkled paper makes. Babies are extending their physical development by learning to walk. They eagerly use emergent language and copy words, learning to sing spontaneously. The childminder varies activities or introduces snack and drink times when younger children are tired. She follows very regular routines to meet each child's individual needs exceptionally well and this fully promotes and sustains their well-being.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are very safe and they show extremely high levels of feeling secure. They have established close relationships with the childminder, she explains to them what she is doing and follows regular routines to increase their strong sense of security. For example, children always sit together at meal times and finish their food before they leave the table. They listen carefully to the childminder and learn that they may bump their heads if they crawl under the table. Children show they can handle tools safely as they practise cutting bananas for snack time with plastic knives. Children take part in fire drills and show independence as they grow, using the upstairs bathroom on their own. Children are cared for in a safe and secure home and they have the childminder's undivided attention.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are healthy, active and energetic, they have ample floor space and they move freely. Children develop confidence in their physical skills as they learn to walk with the baby walker and practice their ball skills enthusiastically. Children enjoy peeling oranges, they count the segments and share these out. Younger children are learning to try new foods, especially developing their ability to chew and make healthy choices. They drink water freely and show independence in helping each other. Children clean their hands before and after eating, responding readily to the childminder saying 'rub a dub dub'.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is excellent and they demonstrate a strong sense of belonging. They learn to be responsible because the childminder praises children extensively for their achievements throughout the day. She increases younger children's development by positively making eye contact, smiling and using very clear speech. Children receive praise for pronouncing new words and once they do this, the childminder ceases to use the sign language for that word. The childminder uses reward systems to encourage children to achieve and this increases their understanding of being valued.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children know how to use the magnifying glass and they can describe what it does. They talk about building houses from different materials and recognise heavy and light items. Children spontaneously become involved in imaginary play, making birthday cakes and singing. Children copy letter shapes, they are sounding the letters of their own name and joining letter sounds. They talk about the weather and link this with songs about rain. Children name the colours in the rainbow and learn to mix different colours when painting. Children are making excellent progress in many specific areas of the curriculum. They are developing extensive skills for the future, through individually planned activities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 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

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.8

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

p.8

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9