Childminder in Merton

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 EY374711 Inspection date 26/11/2008 Inspector Amanda Jane Tyson

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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 on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Child Care Register, and the voluntary part of the Child Care Register in 2008. There are currently three children on roll within the early years age range aged five, three and two years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her partner, two children aged 11 months and four years, and pet cat in Morden London Borough of Merton. Main line and underground rail links are nearby, as are a selection of local shops, parks and schools. All areas of the home are registered for childminding use. The ground floor lounge, conservatory and enclosed garden are used for play. The bathroom is on the first floor and one bedroom is used for children to sleep.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and fully inclusive play and learning environment. There are robust procedures in place to protect children from harm. Good health is well promoted and the childminder demonstrates a strong and pro- active commitment towards improvement. Children's individual needs are well understood and she pays particularly good attention to identifying and supporting their personal, social and emotional development, working in close partnership with parents and other early years practitioners, and in providing complimentary Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) experiences for children who attend other early years setting's.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop use of observation as a tool to effecively inform assessment and planning  wall mount the fire blanket so that it is easily accessible in the event of an emergency situation.

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provision

The childminder pays careful attention to monitoring and evaluating her own effectiveness. As a result, a clear vision of excellence is emerging. She has submitted an extensive and well thought through application for local authority funding to increase her supply of resources. This links well with the commitments of the EYFS to raise children's awareness of diversity, encourage enjoyment of outdoor physical activity and to provide opportunity for children to develop skills that will contribute towards their economic well-being; for example, multi-cultural dressing up, a range of ethnically diverse boy and girl dolls, some with disability aids, climbing apparatus for the garden, a computer and laminator and storage This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 systems to make resources more accessible to the children. The childminder is committed to attending training workshops and briefings. She has prepared a

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provision

template for introducing individual photographic identity cards to take on outings. This, she explains will provide a valuable resource to support a potential 'lost child' situation and to provide information that enables a third party to reunite children and parents in an emergency situation.

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provision

All records and documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the EYFS are in place and well maintained. In addition, the childminder has devised, and given to parents, a portfolio of written policies and procedures which clearly explain her regulatory responsibilities and operational plan. Parents are therefore well-informed of her methods for managing behaviour, her commitment towards equal opportunities, the process of how a complaint should be handled, and how she promotes and ensures children's health and well-being. The childminder has detailed the evacuation plan in picture format so that children understand the step by step procedure. However, the fire blanket is stored in the kitchen cupboard which means it is not easily accessible in an emergency situation. This may cause unnecessary risk to children.

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provision

The childminder monitors children's progress and development towards the early learning goals with photographs and some written documentation, but a preferential style is not yet evident. In practice she knows what children can do and what they need help with next, however, her documentation does not at this stage well support this. Childminders are not required to keep written notes on children's developmental progress, but her already initiated methods have the potential for being exceptionally useful, particularly in identifying areas for extension and gaps in development which may indicate concerns.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with exciting play opportunities that ensure good access to the early learning goals. The childminder first secures her knowledge of children's starting points for learning, paying particular attention to their personal, social and emotional development. Children's particular interests, skills and gaps in their learning are identified, and then she plans an individually tailored programme of activities and daily routine to meet their requirements; for example, music and singing activities are currently being increased to raise young children's confidence in participating in group singing at toddler group. Toy vehicles are the current favourite and so, to tempt children towards different activities and into the fresh air, she places large dumper trucks in the soil and sand pit. Toddlers enjoy mark making with chalks on the patio and with paint brushes. As they get older she adds

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

a notebook to the policeman outfit whereby they take great delight in 'issuing parking tickets'. Whilst the childminder prepares dinner, toddlers enjoy experimenting with the contents of her kitchen cupboard; creating sounds with wooden and metal spoons, pots, pans and plastic jugs. Young children enjoy the ride-on equipment at toddler groups, making good use of the considerable indoor floor space. They get messy with gloop, create and design models with recyclables and construction, and participate in group activities. Children learn the concept of sharing and forming and maintaining friendships through these regular visits to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 toddler groups. They play nicely together and squabbles are few.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Before school children enjoy a nutritionally well-balanced breakfast which energises them for the busy day ahead. They enjoy tending and monitoring the growth of their runner bean plants in the childminder's garden before they leave. Role play in the mornings is popular and highly inclusive; the younger children are enthralled and excited by the beach scene frequently created by the older children using large pieces of yellow and blue material.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder builds strong, trusting and professional relationships with parents and early years practitioners from children's school and pre-school. Information about their learning and development, safety and emotional well-being is shared and this is extremely valuable. For example, the childminder takes children into their pre-school setting in the morning and talks to their key worker. As a result, she is familiar with their planned activity programme and up to date on their developing interests. The childminder makes good use of this knowledge by initiating conversations about 'electricity' during breakfast, or by encouraging them to look for 'creepy- crawlies' whilst tending the garden plot. 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 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

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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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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