Childminder in Croydon

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 EY242017 Inspection date 04/03/2009 Inspector Rebecca Elizabeth Khabbazi

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and seven years old. They live in a two bedroom house in a residential area of Croydon. All of the house is used for childminding. A garden is available for outside play. The family has a dog, a cat and two guinea pigs.

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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. She is registered to care for four children under eight years old and there are currently two children on roll, who are both in the early years age range. The childminder supports children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is also part of a Croydon childminding network and is linked to a local Children's Centre. She has a relevant childcare qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder's excellent knowledge of children's individual needs and strong partnerships with parents and other agencies ensures that she offers an exemplary service where children receive all the support that they need. Children flourish in the safe, inclusive, child-centred environment and make consistently good progress in their learning. The childminder is highly effective in monitoring her own practice. This means that any priorities for future development are promptly identified and well targeted action is taken to ensure that the service is responsive to the needs of children and their parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to strengthen the link between children's next steps and activity planning, and consider ways of further increasing the involvement of parents in this process

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provision

The childminder offers an exceptionally high quality service that is very efficiently managed. She ensures that all required documentation that contributes to children's well-being and safeguards their welfare is well organised and maintained to a high standard. The childminder makes excellent use of local training opportunities to continually update her knowledge and skills and ensure that the support she provides to individual children is of the highest quality. For instance, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 she has completed relevant courses related to safeguarding children and is currently taking part in an 'Every Child a Talker' initiative.

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provision

The childminder continually reviews and assesses her service, making good use of feedback from parents and the support of her local network to monitor and evaluate the provision. She has high aspirations for future development and a good understanding of the setting's strengths and areas for improvement, and strives to constantly update and improve the care she provides. Action taken to address any weaknesses is effective in bringing about sustained improvement to outcomes for children, for instance, changes to the environment to increase children's autonomy in selecting resources for themselves.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are very well established and ensure each child's needs are met. Parents are well informed and kept up to date with all aspects of the provision through the childminder's portfolio, the noticeboard, daily contact sheets and verbal discussions. The childminder encourages parents to be involved in supporting their child's learning and development, although currently she does not always include them in the process for reviewing children's next steps. The childminder also works very closely with other local agencies and professionals, which contributes significantly to ensuring children experience a consistent approach.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are extremely happy and settled in the childminder's care. They benefit from an excellently equipped, safe and secure setting where they thrive and grow in confidence. They independently choose from a wide variety of good quality resources and activities, moving freely and safely around the indoor and outdoor environment. Children learn to be safety conscious without being fearful when they begin to understand how knee pads protect your legs if you are riding a bike, or talk about where it is safe to cross the road. Children follow excellent hygiene routines, carefully washing their hands after a messy activity or before they eat. They develop healthy eating habits when they enjoy fruit they have picked from the garden such as apples, pears and blackberries, or help grow and care for carrots to eat at dinner time. Children benefit greatly from the childminder's warm, gentle approach to managing their behaviour. She sets clear boundaries that help

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children feel secure and implements effective strategies to encourage positive behaviour, such as sticker charts and consistent praise. Children learn to moderate their own behaviour as they share, take turns and think about how others feel.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children take part in a wide variety of interesting and stimulating activities and experiences that effectively support their development and learning. The childminder's good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage means children receive high quality guidance in their learning both in and out of doors. Activities are well matched to children's interests and the full range of their needs, ensuring all children succeed well. The childminder makes frequent observations of children's achievements and uses these to identify next steps for their learning, although there are some minor areas for improvement in systems for linking these into her planning and for reviewing children's next steps. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children gain confidence in their language and literacy skills as they take part in conversations, listen to stories or make marks with pens and paper. They enjoy

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

solving problems during every day activities, developing their number knowledge as they count how many letters have arrived in the post or how many stairs they are climbing. They explore and investigate the world around them as they play with bubbles in the water tray, watch birds enjoying the water after the rain, or experiment with a tray of snow and ice in cold weather. Children practise their physical skills when they attend a soft-play session, have a turn on the trampoline, ride a bike around the garden, or learn how to use a glue stick when making a picture. They use their imaginations as they dress up in glittery shoes during a game, create pictures and paintings or enjoy story time and singing. Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the setting and are extremely well occupied, stimulated and motivated to learn. 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? 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

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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