Childminder in Camden

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 EY331457 Inspection date 01/05/2009 Inspector Catherine Greene

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2006. She lives with her children aged 12 and 14 years in a two bedroom flat in the NW5 area of Camden. The living room, kitchen and bedroom are the main areas used for childminding purposes. There is a communal garden, playground and allotment nearby and Parliament Hill is within walking distance. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children at any one time. There is currently one child on roll. She is registered on the Early years and 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 good. The childminder clearly meets children's individual needs. She has established a good level of communication with children's parents and ensures children settle well. Policies and procedures overall underpin her aims and the childminder is fully committed to ongoing improvements in her service. The variety of imaginative activities provided support children's progress and in particular their levels of communication and language development very well. The childminder has begun to evaluate her practice to identify areas for improvement. She demonstrates a positive attitude to increasing her child care knowledge to further develop her childminding service.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to implement observation and assessment systems in order to fully identify learning experiences for each child across all areas of learning and enable parents to incorporate their comments into children's individual records  continue to review and update documentation such as policies and procedures, to ensure these reflect the current regulatory framework.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a clear commitment to providing a good quality service. Close relationships with children's parents contributes to ensuring children’s individual needs are met and daily diaries and informal information support this well. The childminder plans to continue to develop her systems for recording observations of children's development in line with EYFS and providing parents with the opportunity to contribute to these.

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provision

Effective measures are in place to promote children's good health including those for dealing with accidents and for administering medication and these are clearly shared with children's parents. Policies and procedures further support this aim although some policies, such as the one for medication, are in need of review to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensure they are in line with changes to guidance and legislation. The childminder gives the children healthy food that they like to eat. She encourages them to help in growing their own fruit and vegetables in her nearby allotment. Children grow from seeds, fruit and vegetables they can eat including their own tomatoes and strawberries. They are also taught to recycle and enjoy adding compost to the wormery.

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provision

Children's safety is given priority and children are well supervised, risk assessments are in place for activities and outings such as swimming. The childminder talks with children about keeping safe, for example, when crossing the road on the way from nursery. Good safety measures are in place which teach the children what to do in the event of a fire, and a fire blanket and smoke alarms are in place. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder clearly understands her responsibility for protecting children from abuse and neglect. She has a clear procedure for reporting any concerns.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children settle well with the childminder who provides a warm and welcoming space. They are treated as individuals in an inclusive environment and enjoy playing with a range of toys in the childminder's home. A particularly good range of toys within the children's reach in the living room, support their curiosity and learning needs well. Very good support is given to children's learning as they talk about what they are doing. The childminder encourages children's growing communication skills by regularly sharing their favourite books and singing and acting with children throughout their play. She gets to know the children well as she sits at their level on the floor, talks to them and offers lots of cuddles and reassurance. Children are comfortable in the childminder's daily routine and clearly benefit from the close contact and attentiveness she offers, for example, as they imitate the animal noises in their favourite picture books. They listen well to their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

favourite stories, enjoy messy play, painting and chalking on the kitchen floor. Resources which reflect a range of backgrounds are fully integrated into children's play. Their learning and development is well supported and they demonstrate increasing independence and confidence when moving around the room and choosing resources. The childminder uses her knowledge of the children gathered by communicating with their parents and observing them in their play to ensure she plans for their interests. Children learn to behave well because the childminder gives clear explanations and the children are secure in the boundaries set. Children are introduced to sensory and creative materials and are encouraged to bake and decorate cakes with older children when they return form school. 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? 2 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? 2 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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