Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY354357 Inspection date 13/06/2012 Inspector Susan McCourt

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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 and is on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and their eight-year-old child in Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group and takes children to the local library and parks.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding three children, all of who attend on a part-time basis. The family has a dog and two rabbits.

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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 has a good knowledge and understanding of what children need to thrive in their learning and development. The learning environment is very conducive to children's independence, and as a result, they are active learners. Overall, the childminder has built strong, communicative relationships with parents and other partners. The childminder enhances her practice by reviewing how she meets children's individual needs. Therefore, she has a good capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance the two-way flow of information with parents, with specific regard to the learning journey record.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of how to safeguard children. All adults in the home are checked as to their suitability. The childminder has written policies and procedures which describe the steps she would take if she had concerns about a minded child. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments and maintains a good standard of safety in her home and garden. She practises fire drills so that children know what to do in the event of an emergency. The childminder maintains her documentation efficiently, which underpins children's welfare. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 has a strong commitment to providing a high standard of care and education for young children. This is demonstrated in her skilled interaction with them and the depth of her knowledge and understanding about what makes children thrive. The childminder evaluates her work and makes continual adaptations to suit the needs

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the early years provision

of the children. This means she is effectively improves outcomes.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her resources to create play spaces which foster children's independence and their ability to make choices. Children have easy access to a wide range of activities, both in and out of doors, and can move around freely. The childminder is alongside at all times, playing, role modelling safe behaviour and bringing out any educational aspects of the play. For example, she guides children as they climb onto the trampoline, and then counts the bounces with them. The childminder has an anti-discriminatory approach to her work and has a good knowledge of inclusion issues, such as working with children with special needs. She knows each individual child very well and ensures that the activities they undertake support their development. For example, she will engage children who are reluctant speakers in role play, which provides a language-rich activity. This helps to address the issues that can lead to achievement gaps in

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the early years provision

children's progress. The childminder also builds good working relationships with schools and daycare settings to share information about children's achievements and interests. This helps her to engage the children in meaningful conversations and means she can provide complementary activities. Children therefore have a coherent network of support. The childminder also works closely with parents to ensure she stays up to date with children's routines and activities at home. Parents are very appreciative of the high levels of care she provides. They state that they see differences in their child's turn-taking skills and social development, as a result of the childminder's skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has created a learning environment in which children can be active learners. She understands the importance of child-initiated play, and gives children time and space to follow their interests. This means that they can develop their curiosity and set their own challenges, such as using the slide with minimal help. Children can engage in a wide range of activities and cover the whole curriculum outdoors too, which suits active learners. The childminder makes skilled observations of children's achievements, which means she can target their next steps very accurately. For example, she is aware when a child can count up to 10, but may still need help in recognising numerals up to five. The childminder is able to incorporate this learning into activities to engage the child, for instance, pointing out the numerals in a posting game. The learning journeys compiled by the childminder record these steps and clearly demonstrate the good progress children

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and outcomes for children

are making. However, most of the references to the Foundation Stage are rather technical. This means that parents are less able to share and understand the child's learning journey through the Foundation Stage.

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and outcomes for children

Children clearly feel very safe with the childminder. They settle easily and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 confidently explore their surroundings. Children have their own belongings to hand, such as spare clothes and comforters, which helps them gain a sense of belonging. Children can begin to take care of their own safety, as the childminder is a good role model. For example, children handle the swing very carefully and know the childminder's house rules. Children enjoy a healthy lifestyle, as they have lots of opportunities to play in the fresh air. They are enthusiastic climbers and also enjoy bouncing on the trampoline. This helps their physical growth and development. Children eat healthy foods and make healthy choices. They learn about how things grow, as they plant seeds and help take care of small animals. Children learn good hygiene habits from well-established routines. The childminder

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and outcomes for children

has also thoughtfully put posters next to the sink to encourage handwashing, and children have their own colour-coded towel. This minimises the risk of cross infection.

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and outcomes for children

Children thrive in the inviting and stimulating play environment. They are absorbed by their activities and show good levels of concentration for their age. Children learn a wide vocabulary and gain good communication skills. They enjoy books and create their own narratives in imaginative play. Children count spontaneously as they play and recognise numerals. They can demonstrate good reasoning skills as even young children notice when a toy has stopped working and identify that it must be the depleted battery which is preventing it from functioning. Children learn about the world around them as they examine leaves, windfall apples and small creatures. Children enjoy lots of opportunities to develop creative skills. They paint and colour, make craft items and play with dough and other sensory items. The childminder teaches some aspects of craft, but the children are free to follow their own ideas and use colour and brushes as they choose. Children are very well-

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and outcomes for children

behaved and show mature levels of cooperation and turn-taking. They show persistence in learning new skills, such as posting cards in envelopes. They enjoy board games and are resilient if the game doesn't work out as expected. Children are confident and demonstrate a great capacity to enjoy the world around them. Overall, they build good skills for the future. 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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