Childminder in Islington

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 EY298352 Inspection date 14/01/2009 Inspector Chris Banks

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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 2004. She lives with her husband who is her assistant, and two school age children in a three bedroom flat in the EC1 area of Islington. A lounge, kitchen and two bedrooms are the main areas used for childminding purposes. There is also a garden for children's outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and currently cares for three children in the early years age group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children benefit from the extremely warm and supportive atmosphere created by the motivated and enthused childminder. She is highly skilled at developing trusting relationships with those she cares for and knows each individual child very well. They receive an excellent standard of care in a setting where their individual safety and welfare are given high priority. Children's overall welfare, learning and development is positively supported. They enjoy a range of exciting play and learning opportunities and as they grow, parents are kept very well informed about their progress.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop systems for recording and assessing children's progress and planning for their next steps.

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provision

The childminder is already developing a very good understanding of the framework governing the care and education of young children. She demonstrates a strong commitment to providing a high quality, inclusive service based on continuous improvement. This involves undergoing further qualification training and keeping herself professionally well informed.

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provision

Highly effective polices and procedures relating to children's health, safety and welfare are put into practice by the childminder. Fire drills are regularly practised with children, who also enjoy learning about safety during visits to their local fire station and through various books and associated play activities. Good hygiene standards and a very well considered sickness policy helps ensure the risk of infection and the spread of any infection is minimised. Information leaflets produced by the local health authority are also shared with parents as part of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 promoting children's good health. There is a strong commitment to act decisively if a child's welfare is remotely at risk. If a child needs to be taken to hospital, there is a clear contingency plan to ensure other children are safely cared for in the meantime.

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provision

The overall welfare of children is positively safeguarded because the childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to act in their best interests at all times. She has an excellent understanding of child protection issues and is knowledgeable about possible signs and symptoms of abuse. She knows the action to take if she has concerns about a child and is aware of the role of Ofsted.

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provision

Excellent partnership working with parents helps ensure children's learning and development is a positive, shared experience. The settling in period includes an informal observation period with parents present, a careful assessment of children's starting points and a detailed discussion about children's individual needs. This information is recorded and effectively used to plan for the future care of each child. Once children have settled, the involvement of parents in their child's learning and development is ongoing and are kept extremely well informed about children's progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are highly valued. They quickly grow in confidence because the childminder meets their individual needs very well and shows great affection towards the children. She is able to confidently identify those who may need additional support and works effectively alongside parents. Where appropriate and with parents' express permission, she involves other agencies such as schools. This promotes older children's development and helps provides an inclusive service.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's physical health is positively promoted in an range of ways. This includes provision of very healthy meals and snacks and sensitive weaning practice for babies. As part of day to day play activities children are actively encouraged to consider how different foods and physical exercise contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Older children enjoy cooking and tasting a range of diverse foods and have compiled an impressive 'healthy cookery book', which includes ingredients they have grown in the childminder's garden. Children's special dietary requirements are carefully considered and children with allergies are well protected.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy extended periods of outdoor physical play on a daily basis in either the well equipped garden or other local children's facilities. Photographs of children happily engaging in a wide range of outdoor activities and visits are made freely available to parents from the childminder's home computer.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy an exciting and stimulating range of indoor play and learning opportunities covering each area of their learning. The childminder's imaginative use of materials encourages children to be creative and very good quality accessible toys and equipment enables them to be independent in their choice of activities. Children's communication, language and literacy skills are very well supported. The childminder uses excellent communications skills with children and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 is conversant with a range of techniques which support children very well as they learn to read and begin to problem solve. Trips to museums, Chinatown, the London Eye and Aquarium also form part of a planned programme of activities linked to particular themes and cultural celebrations.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's progress is monitored and documented extremely well and the childminder effectively uses her knowledge of how children learn and develop to plan for their next steps. This is done in close consultation with parents, who also receive strong support for extending children's learning in the home. 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

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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 the last inspection

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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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