Hopkins, Samantha Catherine

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 EY359105 Inspection date 24/03/2009 Inspector Helen Maria Steven

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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 July 2007. She lives with her partner and her mother in a three bedroomed second floor maisonette in the City of Westminster. The whole of the ground floor of the maisonette is used for childminding and a dedicated playroom is used on the upper floor. Access to the home is by stairs. There is no outdoor space, but the childminder takes the children to local playgrounds and parks on a regular basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years. She currently has one child on roll in the early years age range. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the Compulsory Childcare Register. The childminder works alongside her mother who is also a registered childminder and between them they can care for a maximum of seven children under eight years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds an NVQ level 3 qualification in childcare.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder knows the children extremely well; she has a clear understanding of their individual needs and has a secure knowledge of child development. She ensures that children are happy, secure and well settled and by providing interesting and challenging activities she helps them make excellent progress towards the early learning goals at their own pace. The childminder constantly looks for ways to advance her knowledge through training and to further improve the outcomes for children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 develop the process of self-evaluation to identify strengths and areas for development that will continue to improve the quality of provision for all children

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provision

This is the childminder’s first inspection since registration but through support she receives from her co-childminder she is developing her practice to enable her to provide an excellent service. Each childminder is the key person for specific children, although both impact on the care, learning and welfare of the children at the setting. It is obvious that she enjoys her work with children immensely, and this is reflected in the children's conduct and demeanour. Well organised and comprehensive records successfully support children's health, safety and well- This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 being. The childminder has developed a broad range of policies and procedures which are shared with parents. She demonstrates a strong commitment to developing her practice through continued training and holds a level 3 qualification in childcare. She is embarking on an ‘Every Child a Talker’ early language

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provision

programme where she will link with local speech therapists to help young children in her care develop their speaking and listening skills effectively. The childminder has begun to develop systems to monitor her provision and plan effectively for children's individual learning. Children's development records are discussed with parents and an inventive sticker system helps ensure all areas of learning are covered. Regular discussion with parents provides opportunities to assess the provision, and she has developed a questionnaire to seek their opinions of her service. However, she is too modest regarding the service she provides and has shied away from asking questions that may provide a complimentary answer.

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provision

The childminder has a strong and successful partnership with parents and carers. Children's progress is shared with parents on a regular basis through informal discussion and through access to their developmental records. Parents can access copies of the setting's policies and procedures and helpful notice boards ensure they are well informed. The Early Years Foundation Stage is explained to parents through displays, photographs with captions, individual learning journey books containing observations of their children and examples of their work. Clear and comprehensive risk assessments are completed to enable the children to enjoy a safe and secure environment. The childminder has completed training in safeguarding children, and has comprehensive information about procedures to follow. Information is available for parents and consequently children are effectively protected from harm and neglect.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's happiness and welfare is the childminder's paramount consideration. Children develop very healthy lifestyles whilst at the childminder's as they have regular outside play and eat very healthily. For example, they have home cooked, healthy lunches and fresh fruit for snacks. Through established hygiene practices children learn the importance of being healthy. Children are aware of how to keep themselves safe through the childminder's discussions and practices. For example, they practise fire drills, road safety and are reminded and helped to keep safe whilst on the stairs and with the effective use of safety gates. Inclusive practice is threaded through everything the children experience, with their awareness and respect of each other's differences and equal access to everything on offer. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They are extremely polite to the childminder and to visitors. The childminder is an excellent role model; she uses lots of praise

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making significant progress towards the early learning goals. Their progress is well recorded, using observations and assessments which are linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children engage in a wide range of interesting activities, which are child led or initiated and flexible to meet individual needs. The childminder makes excellent use of local drop in groups to extend children’s experiences and learning. She is very sensitive and gentle in her approach and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children respond well to her. Children spontaneously tell the childminder throughout the day that they love her more than ‘light, sausages and bunnies!’ demonstrating the high level of affection they have in their carer. Children talk affectionately about the co-childminder and other children using the service. They are confident in accessing the excellent range of resources which are really well

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

organised. Children are introduced to the pleasure of books as they can self select their favourites from the book shelves. They communicate effectively, sharing ideas, asking questions and responding positively to requests from the childminder. The childminder is amused by a comment made by the children; they check that what they had said is a ‘nice word’ and are sensitively reassured by the childminder that all is well. Everyday activities are used effectively to support children’s numeracy. Children decide to test the childminder’s knowledge by instigating a colour guessing game which she joins in enthusiastically. Magnifying glasses are used by children to check for bugs in the plant pots outside. Young children role play in the home corner reflecting their real life experiences, skilfully using the electronic washing machine, feeding the childminder imaginary food and pushing their dolls in buggies and wheelchairs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 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 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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