Childminder in Harrow

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 EY333147 Inspection date 06/04/2009 Inspector Kanwal Sonia Lobo

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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 report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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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 2006. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, three of which may be in the early years age group. The childminder is also registered to care for children on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently four children on roll who attend for a variety of sessions, of these, two are in the early years age group aged two years and two and half years. There are currently no children on roll who have learning difficulties and/or disability or for whom English is as an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her three children aged 16 years, 19 years and 20 years. The family do not have any pets. They live in a residential area of Edgware in the London borough of Harrow. The ground floor of the premises is used for childminding purposes and areas accessed include the living room, kitchen and downstairs toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. All children are helped to feel included, valued and respected as individuals. They make steady progress in their learning and development. The systems for planning, observations and assessments are developing. Each child's learning journey is yet to be firmly based upon their starting points, next steps in learning and recent interests. Evaluation of the service has recently begun and therefore future plans to bring about improvement are emerging.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve children's record of learning and development so that it includes evaluative observations, identifies their starting points, recent interests and next steps in learning.  involve parents as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process so that they are able to regularly review and contribute to their children's learning and development records.  develop a system for self-evaluation which is effective in identifying key strengths, targeting areas for improvement and showing the impact the action taken has had on the provision and the service user.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure a record of risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken is in place for the premises and each specific outing. (Documentation) (also applies to both 27/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 parts of the Childcare Register)

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provision

The assessment of the service is in its early stages and therefore is yet to take account of the views of children and their parents. The childminder shows some understanding of self-evaluation and is beginning to identify strengths and areas for improvement. However, the process for monitoring and review is not fully established to show the impact any action taken has had on the service users. Although future plans are limited, the childminder has shared through discussion what steps are being put in place to promote improvement. For example, she recognises the need to develop her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and has enrolled on a course to improve her knowledge and practice. She has recently renewed her first aid qualification successfully. This demonstrates a commitment to ongoing development.

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provision

Overall, children's good health and well-being is considered through daily routines and by ensuring they are cared for in a clean and well-presented environment. The childminder's organisation of her provision is sound which means that children receive care which is safe and reliable. Positive steps have been taken to minimize potential risks and hazards within the home. However, a record of risk assessment for the home does not show when it was carried out, by whom, the date of review and what action was taken. The childminder has considered some aspects of children's safety when taking them out but a record of risk assessment for each type of outing is not yet in place. All other required records are maintained appropriately. The childminder is able to safeguard children from harm or neglect. She has an appropriate understanding of her role in child protection and up-to- date procedures are in place to help her take any necessary action quickly.

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provision

The parents' views of their child's needs, health and wellbeing are routinely sought through regular verbal communication. The childminder positively uses this information to provide continuity of care and to create a sense of security for the children in her care. This means she is able to recall with them present and past events which may be meaningful and familiar to them. There is some exchange of information regarding children's learning, progress and development. Photographs and some written observations show what children have been doing and form part of the children's learning journey file. These are used as a means to share specific information with parents. The childminder is working towards ensuring the observations are evaluative and photographs are supported with useful explanations so that they are viewed in a meaningful context. The system to gain information about a child at the start of the placement includes details, such as

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provision

allergies, likes and dislikes but does not always extend to include the learning children have already experienced. Therefore, parents are yet to be further supported in making such useful contributions to the learning and development record. 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

Children are making steady progress within the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are provided with a warm, bright and child-friendly environment. Space available is effectively used to meet their individual needs. Activities and resources are well presented and easily accessible. As a result children are able to self-select and choose what they would like to do. Children share a close relationship with the childminder and are able to express their feeling's, thoughts and ideas freely.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is developing her knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She knows the children well and uses this knowledge to extend their learning. In the main, children benefit from the balance of both child initiated play and adult-led activities. However, at times some of the prescribed activities which are planned to show an end product are less meaningful to the children. Consequently they show little interest in the task and end result. The childminder is working towards ensuring that planning arises from meaningful and evaluative observations of children and their next steps in learning are accurately and clearly identified.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are learning about the importance of being active as they have daily chances to play outside in the fresh air and expend their energy safely. They develop many physical skills whilst playing in the rear garden. For example, they spend time manoeuvring their bikes and negotiating the space around them. They are encouraged to adopt healthy habits which is promoted by the option of healthy meals and learning about washing their hands at appropriate times. Behaviour management strategies include clear boundaries which are appropriate for each child’s level of understanding and maturity to which they respond well.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are learning about the wider world through planned activities. The childminder raises their awareness of various religious and cultural celebrations. For example, children make colourful paper Easter eggs to mark Easter; the Christian festival. The childminder also organised specific activities for children to be able to take part in such as 'red nose day'. This level of involvement offers children the chance to make their own contributions which helps them to feel valued and part of the larger community. 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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