Childminder in East Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY440095 Inspection date 16/07/2012 Inspector Alison Weaver

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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. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and seven years. They live in a bungalow in Lewes near to shops, schools, parks and transport links. The majority of the property is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time; of these, two children may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age range. She also offers care to children aged up to 11 years. The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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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 are very settled and enjoy suitably challenging experiences that meet their individual learning needs well. The childminder provides good care and support for each child. She works effectively with parents to promote children's learning and welfare. The childminder has started to develop links with other providers to help promote consistency and progression in individual children's learning. The childminder shows a strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement to outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 promote partnerships with other settings children attend in order to fully support continuity and progression in children's learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding procedures. She is fully aware of her role and responsibility with regard to child protection concerns. The childminder uses risk assessments effectively to identify and minimise risks to children in the home and on outings. She maintains all the required documentation in a professional and organised manner. These documents, and her robust procedures, help her to safeguard and promote children's welfare.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses her home well to support children's learning. She has a good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 range of safe and suitable resources that she uses effectively to promote children's learning and development. The childminder has clearly labelled many of the toy boxes with pictures and words to help develop children's independence and free choice. The resources are of good quality and kept in a good condition. The childminder is developing a good range of resources that reflect diversity. She uses these resources to help promote children's understanding of the need to value and respect differences in society.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms close working relationships with parents. She obtains all the relevant information from them about their child. This enables her to successfully meet children's individual needs. Where needed, she adapts her home and the activities so that all children are fully included and stay safe. She has good systems in place for promoting children's home languages. The childminder plans activities where children can celebrate their own cultures and learn about others.

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the early years provision

The childminder keeps parents well informed about her childcare practices. She has comprehensive policies that she shares with new parents. They complete a very useful 'All about me' booklet for the childminder. She effectively uses the information gained as a starting point for planning suitable activities and settling a child in. The childminder makes good use of daily diaries to share information with parents about children's welfare and key information about their child's achievements. Parents also contribute to these diaries by sharing welfare issues and what they have observed about their child. The childminder is establishing effective ongoing systems for sharing the learning records with parents on a regular basis. This enables her to get useful parental input into the assessment of children's progress and encourages parents to continue learning at home. The childminder is beginning to form links with other providers who share the care and

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the early years provision

education of children. However, this is not yet fully developed in order to promote continuity in children's learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively reflects on her practices and evaluates her provision. This results in positive improvements to outcomes for children. She is currently reviewing how she uses the conservatory as a child friendly playroom. The childminder continually develops her skills and knowledge of childcare issues by attending relevant training courses. For example, she has recently completed two safeguarding courses and a food hygiene course.

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and outcomes for children

Children show they feel happy and very content in the childminder's care. They demonstrate a strong sense of security and well-being. The childminder forms close emotional bonds with children. Young children enjoy cuddles with the childminder before they go off to explore the age appropriate resources. They build good relationships with the childminder and other children. Young children watch their friends as they play and indicate that they want to join in by using body language. They show their emotions as they giggle when the childminder puts the builder's hat on their head. They bounce up and down when they hear This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 music. Young children love to play with the instruments. They have fun using the beater to bang the drum and xylophone.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy the activities made accessible to them. The childminder regularly introduces new challenging and stimulating activities into their play. She varies the toys so that children stay engaged and occupied in purposeful play. Children have fun with construction resources and toy cars. They play with pretend tools such as spanners. Children develop well in the skills they need to secure future learning. They independently investigate the environment and show a curiosity in what is around them. They like to look at the interesting posters that are on display. The childminder talks to the children about what they see and promotes their communication skills well. Young children work out what happens when they press buttons and switches. They develop good physical skills and coordination as they safely move around. Babies learn to communicate as they make babbling sounds that the childminder responds to. They also express their

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and outcomes for children

needs and feelings through facial expressions. The childminder responds positively and interacts well with them. She actively extends and promotes children's learning as they play. For example, she counts the beats as they bang the instrument. The childminder has good observation and assessment systems that she uses to help plan further relevant learning experiences for each child. As a result, children make good progress in the areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes children's health well. Children adopt good hygiene practices and enjoy a healthy diet. They have easy access to drinking water so they can help themselves when they get thirsty. The childminder has robust procedures in place that enable her to meet individual children's health needs well. Children have plenty of opportunities to play outside and engage in exercise. Children develop a good awareness of how to stay safe. They take part in emergency evacuation and learn how to cross roads safely. 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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