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 158919 Inspection date 13/03/2009 Inspector Gillian Cubitt

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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 registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and three children of school age in a house in Old Coulsdon within walking distance of local shops and parks. The house is situated at the end of a long private drive from the residential road. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She is also registered to care for children overnight. The childminder belongs to the Croydon Childminding Network. The childminder is qualified with a relevant childcare qualification National Vocational Qualification level 3. She works with an assistant and is currently minding four children after school and two children under the age of five years.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are warmly integrated with the family and are recognised for their own individuality using the framework of the Early Years Foundation Stage(EYFS). The childminder plans well and adapts to children's needs in line with their ages and stage of development working effectively in partnership with parents. The childminder evaluates her service but the methods used do not fully identify areas that would benefit from improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop more reflective written systems of self evaluation to aid continuous improvement  ask new parents to complete the "all about me" form to help assess children's starting points in their learning

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further?

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

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further?

 conduct a formal risk assessment for both within the home and when going on outings; keep a record of this clearly stating when it was carried out and any actions taken (Documentation) 10/04/2009

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provision

The childminder enthusiastically takes part in training opportunities to aid her with the organisation of her childminding business and has a full range of policies that link to her training. She has completed a Childcare National Vocational Qualification at level 3. She is confident in the procedures to safeguard children and has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 completed all three levels of training to enhance her competence. Her most recent training for the EYFS has helped the childminder in her skills of observing children to help them to move forward in their learning. She evaluates her service and has acted on previous recommendations with regard to keeping clear records on accidents and attendance. The childminder organises her days well for the children whilst working effectively with parents and the EYFS to include all children. However, some aspects of her self evaluation overlook essential procedures. This

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provision

particularly refers to carrying out risk assessment to ensure children's safety within the home and when going on outings.

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provision

Parents are made to feel welcome because the childminder has a warm and friendly approach. She provides them with a welcome pack that contains all the relevant information they need. Parents are aware of the policies as well as the daily plans. There is also an evaluation form for parents to give their views to aid the childminder in improving her service.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are supported in their learning because they have a very good range of activities that are stored in transparent boxes to aid access. Children help themselves to dressing up clothes, to act out their own role play, as well as creating pictures with crayons. Children enjoy books and benefit from the wide selection available reflecting different customs and cultures. The small piano attracts children's attention as they create their own sounds and simple tunes. Children are interested in the childminder's cake making skills and eagerly take opportunities to participate in rolling icing and making their own designs. Children benefit because the childminder observes them during some play activities and notes their interests so that she can develop their strengths. For example, children show confidence in completing simple puzzles so the childminder notes that she must introduce more complex tasks to challenge children's thinking. Children's

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

independence is fostered as they are encouraged to look after their own personal hygiene needs, such as putting on aprons and washing hands, as well as tidying up after they have finished. Children are happy and relaxed and respond to the childminder's encouragement and positive praise. Parents are aware of the early learning goals although they have not yet looked at the children's learning records. It is here that the childminder has completed an "all about me" profile of the children. This information has not been written by parents which means the childminder does not have a clear picture of children's starting points on which to base her initial observations.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play in a generally safe environment. They are able to use most areas within the home and older children are permitted to use an upstairs bedroom. Children become aware of their own safety because they are reminded about the rules of riding bikes inside the home and to be careful when playing in the garden. Here, children's good health is also supported with physical exercise. They run and display their climbing and swinging confidence when using the established garden apparatus. Snacks of fruit and biscuits are available as well as the water dispenser for whenever they are thirsty. Children happily chat as they eat their snacks which promotes their developing social and communication skills. 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? 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? 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. 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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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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