Childminder in Hampshire

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY252636 Inspection date 12/02/2009 Inspector Tonia Chilcott

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Type of setting Childminder 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. 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 2002. She lives with her husband, who is also a registered childminder, and their five children, one of whom is aged under eight years. They live in a house in Portchester, Hampshire. The property is within close proximity to school, shops and parks. All areas of the property are registered for childminding; however, it usually takes place downstairs There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to provide care for five children aged under eight years whilst working alone and no more then seven children under eight years when working with her husband. The childminder is currently caring for 12 children, of which, five are within the early years age range. The family have pet guinea pigs and a pet dog. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled within the care of the childminder who works hard to build good relationships with each child. Children are making some progress towards the early learning goals whilst taking part in a range of activities provided by the childminders, despite the childminder not having a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Most of the welfare requirements are being met to ensure that the individual needs of children are met in most areas. The childminder has begun to consider a self-evaluation system to assess the provision provided, however this is not yet wholly effective.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the register of children's attendance is organised well to enable a clear record of children's attendance is maintained  further develop knowledge and understanding of the early learning goals to ensure the children make steady progress in all areas of learning  develop systems to liaise with other providers delivering the EYFS for individual children to ensure progression and continuity of learning and care  ensure that observations and knowledge of children's learning are used to identify each child's next steps and are used to plan learning experiences that will enable children to make good progress  develop systems to monitor outcomes and provision for children through self- evaluation to identify targets for further improvement

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice. 19/02/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare)  obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 19/02/2009

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provision

Children are safe and secure within the home. The childminder has introduced a written risk assessment that is used to review all areas of the home, garden and outings to ensure that children remain safe and free from hazards. Children benefit from the childminders understanding of safeguarding procedures including a clear understanding of child protection procedures and how to implement them to ensure that children remain protected. The childminder has begun to implement a system to self-evaluate the provision provided, however this is not yet fully effective as it has not identified that some welfare requirements are not being met. For instance, no permission is received in writing from parents before administering medication. The childminder has made limited progress since the last inspection and has not fully addressed the recommendation raised. The register of children's attendance now contains sufficient information, but is not organised

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provision

effectively to ensure that the records remain clear. The use of two diaries to record details of when children of different ages attend the setting becomes confused. Children's individual records now contain sufficient information to allow the childminder to meet their needs. Permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice from parents remains unchanged and is not in place, nor has it been considered by the childminder despite being a welfare requirement. Good relationships are developed with parents and information is shared on a daily basis with them relating to their child’s time with the childminder. However, whilst daily diaries record some information about the activities that children have taken part in, there are no details relating to children’s progress in learning and development as the childminder does not have a clear understanding of the stepping stones; consequently, parents are provided with limited information to enable them to

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provision

build upon their child’s learning at home or to share with others providing complementary care to the children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy and immerse themselves in a good range of activities and experiences whilst in the care of the childminder. The good relationships that the childminder fosters with all children, means that they are able to confidently request resources or activities to take part in. However, the childminder has limited knowledge and understanding of the early learning goals and how to ensure that children receive a well balanced curriculum during their time with her. The childminder knows the children well, which ensures that activities are adapted to meet the individual needs of all children. For instance, when encouraging children to learn to throw and catch when using the brightly coloured scarves. However, this knowledge is not yet used to identify the children’s next steps in learning or to plan activities to extend children further. As a result, children learn through This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

incidental opportunities that occur during the many activities that are readily available and not through planned activities that reflect each child’s unique needs. Children take part in a variety of interesting activities both inside and outside of the home. The childminder uses the home environment and resources well to ensure that children are supported and able to play freely at all times. For instance, whilst playing in the garden children learn to throw and catch when using bean bags and scarves. They learn to share and turn take when waiting for their turn to come when the childminder throws scarves in the air for each child to catch. When sitting together indoors, children laugh and shriek as they await their turn to catch the coloured bean bags. Children are beginning to learn about healthy practices, such as hand washing. They are aware of the need to wash their hands before eating and after toileting for instance. Children benefit from the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

healthy snacks that the childminder provides and enjoy sitting together to eat and drink at snack time. Whilst most procedures in place protect children’s health the childminder has not obtained permission in writing to administer medication from parents, nor has permission been obtained to seek emergency medical treatment or advice. Consequently, a risk remains for children and welfare requirements are not all met. Children behave well in the care of the childminder, in response to the regular praise and encouragement they receive. 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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 4 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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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