Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY399105 Inspection date 18/06/2012 Inspector Catherine Greenwood

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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 2009. She lives with her husband and two children, one of whom is of school age and one of whom is in the early years age range, in Farnborough, Hampshire. The family live close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the home is used for childminding purposes and there is a garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. There are two children in this age group on roll. The childminder also offers care to children aged from the end of the early years to 11 years. She collects children from the local school and attends toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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 takes pride in observing and recording children's progress and using this information to plan for their individual learning needs. She inspires children during their play and successfully promotes their learning through the provision of a good range of activities and her own positive involvement. Overall, she works closely with parents to meet children's individual needs and takes positive steps to keep children safe. She can accurately identify the strengths and weaknesses of the provision and takes action to make continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out regular fire evacuation drills and record details in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved.  enhance the two-way flow of information with parents by encouraging them to review the records of their children's individual progress and development in order to support their child's learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection procedures approved by the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She fully understands her responsibility to protect the welfare of the child. Children's safety is maintained through the use of effective risk assessments. The childminder constantly reappraises both the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 environment and activities to which children are exposed and makes necessary adjustments to secure their safety at all times. Self-evaluation is good. The childminder reflects on her practice and identifies areas for development. She is eager to improve outcomes for children. For example, since registration she has devised a system for recording the next steps for children's learning, which she uses as a working document to identify when learning has been achieved and re- visited. Children are provided with a warm, welcoming environment and use a

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the early years provision

good range of indoor and outdoor play equipment. They show good self- confidence as they help themselves to resources from low level containers. The childminder makes good use of the dining area for messy play activities.

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the early years provision

Children's knowledge of diversity is promoted effectively as they watch a DVD about 'signing' and use resources that reflect positive images of wider society. The childminder borrows books from the library related to events in children's lives, such as moving house, going to the dentist and potty training. She asks parents to provide photographs from home, which she uses to create 'family books'. These promote children's sense of identity and are available for them to look at any time. There are currently no children on roll who attend other settings or need support from other agencies. However, the childminder is aware of the need to work in partnership with any other settings if the need arises. Children's individual needs are discussed fully with parents and extended members of their family. The childminder welcomes them into her home, provides verbal feedback and uses a daily communication book to share information about children's individual needs

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the early years provision

and activities. She asks parents to complete 'proud clouds' with observations of their children's developmental achievements at home. Parents are given free access to children's records of development, although they do not always take the opportunity to look at them. As a result, they are not fully aware of all details of their children's learning. Parent questionnaires show they are happy with the provision. For example, they say 'it is clear my child has lots of fun when in your care' and 'my child has enjoyed every second with you'.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good knowledge of children's developmental progress and makes systematic observations and assessments of their individual achievements and interests. These include photographs and samples of children's work. She uses this information effectively in practice to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child. Children are provided with a good range of planned activities and experiences and are actively encouraged to take the lead in their play. Consequently, they are motivated and enthusiastic learners.

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and outcomes for children

Children show a strong exploratory and independent approach during their play. They are well-behaved, interact well with others and are willing to share resources. The childminder forms close affectionate relationships with children, which can be seen as they enjoy lots of cuddles. Children are beginning to develop self-help This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 skills as they attempt to put on their shoes and feed themselves. The childminder promotes their independence as much as possible and responds fully to the choices they make during their play. For example, when children stand at the conservatory door, she takes them outside to play football. The childminder promotes children's language development well throughout the day and uses planning effectively to introduce new words that promote children's vocabulary. She encourages children to communicate, for example as she tickles them with

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and outcomes for children

favourite puppets. Children make marks using wax crayons on an easel and chalk on the childminder's garden patio. They are beginning to count in numerical order during everyday events and attempt to use their fingers to show the correct number while singing familiar nursery rhymes. The childminder draws children's attention to different colours and shapes during activities, such as playing with plastic shapes in flour to build on their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children smile with enjoyment as the childminder helps them to use simple technology. They show great interest in pressing buttons that create sound, for example on trains and pretend woodwork tools. They learn how things grow and enjoy handling compost as they plant sunflower seeds in pots. Children have good opportunities to explore the local environment as they use the letter box to post creative work to their parents and take part in local shopping trips. They develop good hand and eye coordination as the childminder shows them how to put nuts and bolts into construction toys and insert plastic keys into a toy car. She introduces new challenges as she provides thick pipe cleaners, beads and pasta shapes for threading activities. Children develop control of their movements as they use age-appropriate resources in an outdoor area at a toddler group, visit local parks and play in the childminder's garden.

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and outcomes for children

Children overcome any reluctance to take part in messy play as they regularly use paint, corn flour, strawberry scented foam, water and modelling dough. They enjoy cooking activities and develop their senses as they help to weigh and mix ingredients for cakes. Children often choose to play imaginatively, for example with cars, dolls and pushchairs. The childminder responds to their attempts to sing familiar rhymes and provides good opportunities for them to listen to music, play instruments and dance. Children feel safe and secure due to the childminder's close involvement in their play and her commitment to supervising them according to their individual stage of development. They learn about their own safety, as the childminder talks about road safety and the importance of staying close during outings to the park. She regularly tests fire equipment within her own home. However, she has not recently practised the evacuation procedure, which restricts

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and outcomes for children

children's knowledge of what to do in the event of a fire.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder successfully promotes children's health. She provides a variety of fresh fruit at snack time and encourages children to be involved in the preparation of food. For example, children help to squeeze oranges to create fresh juice and cut up fruit using safe knives. They are provided with nutritious meals that include lots of fresh vegetables. The childminder follows good hygiene practice, holds a level 2 food safety qualification and encourages children to wash their hands at appropriate times. Consequently, children are protected from the risk of cross infection and learn about good hygiene practice. 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

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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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