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 EY241282 Inspection date 27/08/2009 Inspector June Fielden

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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 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 been registered since 2003. She lives in Croydon, Surrey, close to local shops, parks, schools and bus routes. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding, plus a bedroom on the first floor.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group part-time. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and offers care for children aged up to 12 years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from local schools and regularly attends toddler groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is also a support childminder.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. The childminder has an effective understanding of children's learning and development needs and provides opportunities to ensure that they make the most of the time which they spend at her setting. She has a successful partnership with parents and uses the information she obtains from them to promote their children's welfare. The childminder is aware of her strengths and areas for further development and understands the importance of liaising with others involved in children's care.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the the drain in the garden and the use of the stair gate are included in the risk assessment  ensure that records and other documents are stored in a more organised manner

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provision

The childminder has taken advantage of an extensive range of training opportunities since her last inspection, in order to develop her skills further and keep her knowledge up to date. The childminder's register is well completed and shows the arrival and departure time for all children. All the required records and policies are in place, although the childminder's documentation is not currently stored in an organised manner to ensure that it is always easily accessible. She identifies her main strengths as the way in which she motivates children and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encourages them to achieve their best and to make progress. Also, the childminder feels that she has a good relationship with parents. She has rectified the areas for improvement raised in her last report, showing that she has the capacity to maintain continuous improvement. Since her last inspection the childminder has

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provision

reorganised the play room to ensure that space and resources now effectively meet the children's needs, and has obtained additional resources to promote equality of opportunity and develop children's understanding of diversity. In addition, the childminder also promotes this subject by explaining to children that although people have different beliefs and may not all look alike because they are from different cultures, they should still treat all with respect and play with everyone.

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provision

The childminder keeps parents well informed about her provision and their child's progress. A range of information about the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is available at the setting, and all the planning is displayed for them to see on the notice board in the play room. The childminder's policy documents and sample menu are also available to parents, as well as photographs of the children participating in different activities, to involve them in child's learning. Parents are pleased with the care offered by the childminder and the feedback they receive on their child, and she is always available to speak to them at the beginning and end of the day. The childminder shares her records of children's development with parents and uses a daily record book to inform them about the food children eat, their sleeping patterns, nappy changes and daily achievements. There is a section on each page for parents to provide the childminder with additional information

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provision

about their child, or any changes they would like her to make. The childminder is aware of the importance of exchanging information with other professionals involved in children's care and knows appropriate strategies to assist children with English as an additional language, to ensure that this does not prevent them making progress. She has attended training in safeguarding and has a good understanding of how to protect children from harm.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have access to a good range of adult-led and child-initiated activities that effectively cover all areas of learning. The childminder obtains appropriate information from parents when children are registered at her setting in order to ascertain their starting points. She regularly observes children in order to assess their next steps in learning, and uses this information to inform future planning. Children benefit from having the use of their own play room where resources are well organised, efficiently displayed and easily accessible to them. They use a variety of sit and ride vehicles in the childminders garden for exercise and have access to a range of large apparatus at the different groups they attend. There is a wide selection of books for children to use, including multi-cultural ones, which the childminder shares with children. They also watch some television when they need to relax, and the childminder ensures that children see programmes which promote

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

their understanding of diversity. Children use a range of role play resources, including kitchen equipment. One young child playing with the toy food made a comment about it being rather hot, as it had just come out of the cooker, showing that they understood that this altered the temperature of the food. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder talks to children as they play, and asks them questions about the colour of the toy beakers they are using, to assist them in learning the colour names. Children show confidence when speaking to adults and engage them in conversation, further developing their language skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children follow effective hygiene routines. They wash their hands before they eat and are taught to put their hand over their mouth when they cough, and to place dirty tissues in the bin. The childminder's accident, incident and medication records are well completed, she always obtains prior written permission for any medication, and parents also sign the book after it has been administered. Children are provided with healthy options at meal times. They are given slices of various fruits for their snacks, and cooked meals that are made from fresh ingredients and include different vegetables. Water is always available to children to ensure they are not thirsty, and they are encouraged to pour their own drinks. The childminder has many efficient safety measures in place, including her emergency evacuation procedure which she regularly practises with children. She also ensures that children are unable to enter the kitchen unsupervised, and that her shed and back

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

gate are fitted with a padlock. Although the drain in the back garden is not currently covered, and the stair gate is not always closed to prevent children's access to the stairs. The childminder uses effective behaviour management strategies. She gets down to children's level to discuss any disputes that arise between them and asks the child that caused the argument to apologise. A pictorial set of house rules are displayed to remind children of appropriate conduct, and they are praised and rewarded for good behaviour. There is a laptop computer available for children to use, to make them familiar with information technology. Children are made familiar with the world around them through the topics covered by the childminder, such as one on mini-beasts. 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

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