Childminder in Richmond upon Thames

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 EY366413 Inspection date 07/05/2009 Inspector Jane Nelson

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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 2007. She lives with her husband, in a house in Kew in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. The through living room, kitchen, diner and a room used for children's rest, on the ground floor, are used for childminding. Toilet facilities are on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden which is used for outdoor play. The childminder is in the process of moving to new premises where she will work with another registered childminder.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight, three of whom can be in the early years age range, when working alone. The childminder is registered to work with an assistant and when doing so may care for eight children under eight, six of whom can be in the early years age range. The childminder currently works with an assistant and is currently caring for 10 children under five, most of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children's individual needs are reflected in planning and the daily routine, encouraging all children to participate at their own pace, and promoting all areas of their development. Good relationships with parents result in children feeling secure and receiving continuity of care. The childminder takes pride in the service she provides, and uses self- evaluation effectively, demonstrating a commitment to ongoing improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 make sure all children's times of arrival and collection are recorded accurately and consisitantly  develop further understanding of local guidance and procedures relating to child protection

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provision

Children are cared for in a welcoming, child centred environment, where space is dedicated to their needs, and well organised to encourage independent exploration and investigation. An extensive range of good quality play equipment and materials are provided and attractively presented on low surfaces and the floor to encourage children's independent choice, and free movement. Good quality furniture and equipment such as buggies and travel cots are in place and a designated sleep room is used for babies and younger children's rest. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Information is obtained from parents, about their child when they first come to the childminder, enabling home routines and practices to be followed and helping children to settle quickly and feel secure. The childminder uses her own observations and knowledge of the children to plan effectively, identifying where

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provision

individual children need support. The childminder and her assistant, work very well together, ensuring that all children receive individual attention, and are well supported in their learning and development.

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provision

Comprehensive and well organised documentation, policies and procedures are in place. The necessary records are maintained with the exception, on occasion, of the times of some children's departure being recorded accurately and consistently. Risk assessments are used effectively to minimise risks and ensure children's safety in the home and on outings. Children's welfare is protected by the childminder's knowledge of child protection issues. She has detailed written procedures in place and knows where to locate information relating to contact details, if concerns arise. However is less secure in her knowledge of the specific agency she would contact in the event of needing to make a referral.

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provision

Information with parents and carers is shared well, promoting good relationships, a happy atmosphere, and helping children feeling secure. Parents' views are sought through use of a questionnaire and their responses praise the childminder and her assistant's care. Information is shared verbally on a daily basis, with written daily diaries completed for some children. Children's developmental progress is monitored and recorded in individual folders which are creatively presented with descriptions, photographic evidence, and examples of children's creative work. These are shared regularly with parents and provide informative descriptions of children's progress and the range of activities they experience with the childminder.

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provision

Self-evaluation is used effectively by the childminder, together with her planning to review her service and identify areas for future development. For example, she feels she has developed in implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage, particularly with regard to the younger age group of children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from a calm, stimulating environment, and caring, affectionate and supportive interaction with the childminder and her assistant. This encourages their independent exploration of the child centred environment and promotes children's development in all areas.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children follow routines that help them feel secure and gain a sense of belonging for example, they know they remove their shoes and put them in the basket in the hall, on arrival, and older children put their own shoes back on before going out in the garden to play. They hang their coats on individual pegs recognising their own and their friends pegs, identified by their photographs. Name labels on their pegs and familiar objects such as door being labelled, help children begin to recognise words and their names, and understand that print carries meaning. Children's communication skills are promoted well, for example, adults use conversation and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 questions to encourage children's language, repeat words such as 'aliens', and use story time to encourage children to join in with familiar phrases in the story.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy, busy and interested in their play. They spend time concentrating during activities, such as, operating the Duplo train on the track, pushing the button to make the train go round the track and replacing it when it comes off the track. They build bridges over the track, place animals in the train coaches, and with an adult's help, repair the track when it disconnects. Children use a magic drawing board and pencils and paper to draw and mark make, sitting comfortably on the floor, then with the childminder's help move to a low table to use stickers and draw. A baby sits cosily with the childminder for a cuddle, before crawling away to explore toys and using the play kitchen to pull themselves up to a standing position. Children enjoy looking at books and sit comfortably on cosy bean bags in the book area, as they listen intently to their favourite stories. Children gain independence as they help themselves to toys and play equipment,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

from child height surfaces and well organised storage containers. They make decisions about what to play with, and help to tidy toys away before lunch. Children learn about the world around them through events such as celebrating different events, festivals and each other's birthdays, throughout the year. The extensive range of play materials provided reflects diversity encouraging children's awareness of the wider world.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy being together and socialise well in the small group of children in the childminder's care. They are learning to share and take turns and happily play alongside each other. The childminder and her assistant are good role models and encourage children's use of polite language such as 'please, thank you and excuse me'. Children have opportunities to socialise in a larger group for example, when they meet up with the childminder's co-childminder or visit a local drop in centre. Individual sleeping patterns are followed and a calm and reassuring routine is used by the childminder when sensitively waking a baby after their sleep.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are reminded to be careful as they play and move around, they carefully step over the train track on their way to a table, and take care near a baby crawling on the floor. They see the childminder and her assistant following good hygiene procedures, such as, washing their hands and older children are helped to wash their hands at the sink before lunch, younger children have their hands wiped with wet wipes. Children have good opportunities for outdoor play and physical exercise, they have regular access to the childminder's garden, where they ride bikes, use scooters and use the slide. Frequent outings are made to nearby parks and places of interest where children use large play equipment such as climbing frames and slides.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a healthy diet, and hungrily eat their lunch of mushroom risotto. Older children sit comfortably at a child size table, and a high chair is provided for baby's use. Babies are learning to feed themselves, they use their fingers to explore the texture of their food, and are supported in using a spoon. The childminder and her assistant sit with children while they eat and encourage social discussion. For example, story time is discussed as children, sit eating lunch, the childminder asks about the stories they listened to earlier and children recall the names of their favourite books and the characters in the stories. 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? 1 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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