Childminder in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY436700 Inspection date 24/04/2012 Inspector Marilyn Joy

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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 in a bungalow in Oakdale, Poole. All areas of the property, except the main bedroom, are available for childminding. There is a garden for outdoor play. Shops, parks, schools and pre-schools are nearby. The childminder has two, small dogs. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years; of these, three may be in the early years age group. Currently she is caring for four children in this age group; of these, one is at school. She also cares for older children. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and 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

Children develop well in an environment where they are highly valued and they are protected from harm. Overall, the childminder develops highly positive relationships with parents, which helps her to effectively meet children's unique needs. This contributes towards the secure foundations from which they make good progress overall in their learning and development. The childminder uses resources particularly well to create an exciting environment. She is keen to achieve high standards and positive outcomes for children. She demonstrates a strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement through effectively rigorous, evaluation processes and ongoing training.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the information gathered from parents about what children can do, in order to help identify their starting points for learning in all areas  develop further the range of larger play equipment that can be used in different ways to challenge older children's physical skills, such as for balancing and crawling, and extend opportunities for children to move independently and freely between play areas.

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the early years provision

The childminder has excellent systems in place to keep children safe and protected from harm. She has a comprehensive awareness of child protection issues and knows what to do if she has concerns about a child. The childminder uses extremely thorough risk assessments, excellent safety measures and vigilant supervision to keep children safe in the home and on outings. She organises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 documentation exceptionally well and this provides her with the information she needs to help her meet children's health and welfare needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic and keen to develop high quality practice. She has attended several training workshops since registration. She has started a level 3, early years qualification and commenced 'Every Child a Talker' training to help her support children's communication skills. She regularly reviews her practice and consults with parents. She identifies areas for further development and, as a result of the steps she takes, outcomes for children are good overall and exemplary in some areas. For example, she has removed a gravel area in the garden and replaced it with an all-weather surface. This means children have a safe area where they can play and use their wheeled toys. The childminder has a good range of resources. She uses them well to create an exciting and stimulating environment conducive to learning. Resources are of a particularly good quality and easily accessible. The childminder manages her home extremely well so that it is safe

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the early years provision

and secure for children. The childminder promotes equality and diversity well. She uses resources and activities effectively to help children learn about the world around them and embrace diversity. The childminder develops a thorough knowledge of each child's background and needs. Their individuality is effectively valued.

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the early years provision

Partnerships are well established and make a strong contribution to children's achievement and well-being. The childminder makes clear links with school staff to support children. She develops strong partnerships with parents, which contribute to how settled and secure children are. She provides parents with a comprehensive range of information about all aspects of her practice and children's daily care. Parents receive copies of her policies and procedures and a regular newsletter. Parents are encouraged to contribute to detailed, learning journals and daily diaries. They include written observations and photographs and provide a clear insight into their child's day with the childminder. The childminder gathers information from parents when children first attend. This helps her robustly support children's welfare needs; however, she gives less emphasis to establishing where new children begin by identifying their next steps for learning. The

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the early years provision

childminder regularly seeks parents' views to help her develop her practice and the care she provides. Parents are extremely complimentary in their feedback forms, which signifies how happy and satisfied they are.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop well in the nurturing environment offered. They demonstrate an extremely strong sense of belonging in the manner in which they behave and interact with the childminder. There are lots of smiles and happy faces. Children benefit from the childminder's involvement in their play. They relish the praise and encouragement they receive and the positive boost it gives their self-esteem. They receive exemplary support which helps them behave well. Children are confident to indicate what they want and the childminder responds positively to them. She successfully encourages children's emerging language through relaxed This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 conversations. She provides them with the vocabulary they need to express themselves when ready. She talks about what they are doing and, importantly, extends this with further explanation; for example, why they need to clean their

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and outcomes for children

hands or tidy toys away. The childminder is extremely vigilant in supervising children at all times and helps them to take responsibility for themselves. She shows them how to negotiate the steps and is particularly carefully in supervising them. Children quickly learn how to manage for themselves and stay safe. High quality interaction and exemplary organisation helps babies and young children to feel confident and secure.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a broad range of exciting activities. The childminder has an integrated approach towards supporting children's learning in all areas. She organises meaningful activities that help children to make good progress and learn about the world around them. Children read a story and learn a counting song, which links with feeding the ducks in the park. Topical themes throughout the year introduce them to different celebrations and activities linked to the changing seasons; they plant seeds and water the potatoes growing in a pot. Children have good opportunities to develop their awareness of diversity through using a range of resources reflecting the world around them. The childminder gets to know children well and uses this information to tailor activities to suit their individual needs. She regularly observes what children can do and maintains detailed records of their learning and development. The childminder has an accurate awareness of

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and outcomes for children

children's capabilities and effectively plans their next steps.

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and outcomes for children

Children explore a wide range of different media and materials. They investigate how things work and begin to make connections when pressing buttons and activating different noises and music. They explore sand and water in the garden and pasta indoors. They develop their coordination as they gain confidence in using different tools for scooping and filling the buckets. There is a trampette and a see-saw, as well as bats and balls in the garden. However, there is not as much equipment to challenge older children's physical skills or to fully their extend independence in moving freely between play areas. Children experience a healthy lifestyle with the childminder. They enjoy balanced, nutritious meals and snacks, as well as plenty of fresh air and exercise. They regularly go for walks, visit the park and play in the garden. The childminder consistently promotes good hygiene habits. The childminder is particularly effective in promoting children's emotional

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and outcomes for children

well-being and ensuring they are well equipped with the skills they need in order to secure future 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 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

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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 1 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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