Childminder in Hampshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY440448 Inspection date 05/07/2012 Inspector Christine Clint

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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 2012 in the family home, which is situated in Emsworth in Hampshire, close to local schools and nurseries. She lives with her husband and two children; one child attends school. Children play on the ground floor and use the sitting/dining room and the conservatory. There is a small, secure garden with play apparatus. The toilet and bathroom are on the first floor. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for four children under the age of eight years; of these, two children may be in the early years age range. The childminder is also registered to provide overnight care for one child under eight years. The childminder is currently caring for three children in the early years age group on a part-time and full-time 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 shows a strong and competent capacity to maintain continuous improvement. She has effectively developed her provision since registration and has purposefully focused on requirements and meets most of the regulations. The childminder is actively evaluating and assessing her provision, and she is currently increasing her own knowledge and understanding through further training. There are very positive relationships with parents, although parents are not yet fully involved in their children's ongoing learning. The childminder is motivated and involved at all times, she is consistently meeting children's individual needs.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 make a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 06/08/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the links with parents to encourage them to further participate in children's development and contribute to their learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a thorough understanding of safeguarding children. She has developed clearly written procedures for managing any concerns about children. She is knowledgeable and prepared to contact relevant agencies; she has all necessary information directly available. The childminder has conducted effective risk assessments in the home and garden to eliminate risks. She conscientiously manages children's safety, for example by providing a doormat to prevent children slipping when they come in from the garden. However, the childminder has not prepared a record of risk assessment for the home. This is a breach of a specific legal requirement. There are completed, written risk assessments for the garden and for all outings. The childminder is well prepared for fire safety. Fire equipment is in place and fire plans for the home are on display. The childminder has records of completed fire drills available and of the regular checks of the smoke detectors.

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the early years provision

She has all required documentation and parental permissions to meet the regulations and support children's welfare.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a proactive attitude to driving improvements. She seeks information from a variety of sources and she has eagerly commenced further training. She effectively uses her increasing knowledge to evaluate and reflect on her daily practice to meet children's individual needs. For example, she has changed the routines for sleeping and now accommodates children on the ground floor. They are happier and settle to sleep calmly. The childminder has innovatively carried out improvements since registration to the home andgarden. For example, she has added gates to protect children in the garden and uses them as low blackboards for chalking.

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the early years provision

The home is a child-centred environment, with ample, age-appropriate resources to interest and absorb children. This encourages and promotes their learning. Children make good progress in their development. The childminder stronglysupports their next steps in learning. She effectively meets their individual needs, and she includes well-planned systems to overcome children's initial separation anxieties. The childminder has written policies to show how equality and diversity are at the heart of her provision, and she clearly connects this with effectively meeting children's individual needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops supportive and close links with parents. She shares all policies and procedures; she uses emails and liaises regularly through daily diaries. These provide clear information for parents about children's everyday routines and parents have the opportunity to return the diary with any shared information. Parents also see a display of different information in the entrance hall, and they are encouraged to add any of their own ideas or suggestions. The childmindervisits new children and parents at home. This gains children's and parents' trust and helps them to settle. Parents are currently less involved with children's progress in learning and development. There are currently no children on roll who attend other settings or need support from other agencies. However, the childminder is aware of promoting links with any other settings if the need arises. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Toddlers and babies show close affection for the childminder and turn to her for reassurance and support. They have settled well in the childminder's home, and their confidence and ongoing independence is effectively established. Children follow very regular routines, which meet their individual needs and encourage their health and happiness. They are eager to use the large chalks and make marks on the outdoor blackboards. They sit in the sand tray to feel and hold sand. They relish the chance to play with water, splashing and pouring it freely in the garden. Toddlers understand and communicate well through actions. They know where the water comes from, and they ask for more by bringing the watering can to the childminder. Toddlers competently carry the full container and clearly feel proud when the childminder praises their skills. Babies and toddlers are gaining competence in their physical capabilities. They manoeuvre themselves well and

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and outcomes for children

negotiate the small steps at either end of the conservatory. They instantly show their physical capability through clambering to reach items. They show enthusiasm for musical toys and make sounds with the recorder by spontaneously blowing into it.

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and outcomes for children

Toddlers and babies feel safe and secure in the environment. They show continual interest in exploring their surroundings and have a thorough sense of belonging. Their daily routines are well established, and the childminder has concentrated on this to enable them to settle well. She has a good understanding of their individual characteristics and preferences. For example, she knows that loud noises sometimes unsettle children, and she immediately responds with an explanation and affection to reassure and calm them. Babies and toddlers willingly learn to wash their hands before snacks and meal times. The childminder places the bowl of water within their reach to encourage their involvement and independence. They show good levels of interest in snacks and lunchtime, responding with nods to confirm that they like strawberries and banana. Children have regular routines for sleeping to maintain their health and well-being. They show they are calm and

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and outcomes for children

relaxed because they comfortably fall asleep in the main, play area.

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and outcomes for children

Toddlers show very positive behaviour and an increasing understanding of each other. They learn to consider each other's needs, and they learn about responsibility around babies who are just crawling. They learn to cooperate by helping to put away the toys at times during the day. Babies also show an eagerness to participate and to be involved at all times. Children engage with the childminder and strongly respond to her voice and her positive disposition. They make good progress and developing skills for the future. Toddlers and babies flourish in the child-centred environment. They are stimulated and curious and they are happy and content. 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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