Childminder in Brent

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 EY298225 Inspection date 12/02/2009 Inspector Gillian Charlesworth

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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 February 2005 and is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She lives with her daughter aged 10 years in a house in Kensal Green in the London Borough of Brent. Children generally use the ground floor which is accessible on one level with toilet facilities. First floor bedrooms are used for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed level garden for outside play. The childminder has a car to transport children, although, the property is within walking distance of the local shops, park and school. The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups regularly. The family have pet fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of three children in the Early Years age range may attend with one additional named child at agreed times. There are currently four children on roll who are within the Early Years age range and have varying attendance patterns. Children attend from families who speak English as an additional language.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder is enthusiastic and has a genuine commitment to the children in her care consequently; children enjoy their time in the setting and are making progress in their learning and development. Children’s individual needs are respected and met, although, some strategies to promote children’s identity are not robust. While most policies, procedures and documentation are in place, monitoring procedures are not sufficiently rigorous to ensure that children’s health and welfare are fully safeguarded and that best use is made of the resources. Relationships with parents are positive and generally focus on arrangements for care thereby ensuring children’s welfare needs are met. The childminder is keen to improve her practice and self-evaluation is in the early stages of development, identifying some of the settings strengths and weaknesses.

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further?

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

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further?

 have regard to children’s linguistic diversity and provide opportunities for children to develop and use their home languages in their play and learning  encourage children to help plan the layout and organisation of resources used in the environment.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that public liability insurance is always in place (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to the both parts of the Childcare Register) 13/02/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  ensure that written parental permission is requested, at the time of the child's admission to the provision, to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and welfare). 13/02/2009

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provision

The childminder welcomes families from a range of backgrounds and feedback suggests that relationships are positive. For example, parents comment that children are in ‘good hands’ and relationships promote 'open discussions' on children’s development any issues that may arise. As a result, the childminder has a good knowledge of each child’s backgrounds and needs, for example, recognising that some children like space around them when they eat. However, she does not always actively use this knowledge to fully promote children’s identity and this limits opportunities for children to develop and use their home language in their play and learning. The childminder has a range of suitable written records, policies and procedures most of which are readily available and understood. Oversights in management, however, potentially limit the arrangements for children’s health and safety. For example, public liability insurance expired three

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provision

days prior to the inspection, written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future is not in place for all children, and the written complaints procedure is understood but not available.

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provision

The childminder utilises a local authority child protection policy that is informative. She attended training in child protection in 2006 therefore has a clear understanding of recognising signs and symptoms of abuse and is aware of suitable reporting and recording procedures to safeguard children’s welfare. Written risk assessments are generally effective and include the indoor and outdoor environment and outings. Combined with the childminder’s constant supervision, this contributes towards the safe management of children.

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provision

The childminder is committed to improving her knowledge and has recently joined a local childminding network to access additional support and training. She has attended two training events in the past year that contributes towards continuous improvement. She has begun to evaluate her practice and identifies positive aspects of the provision, such as, welcoming all families and talking about others’ cultures and religions. She has made plans to improve areas, for example, sand play in the garden and developing sensory areas inside and outside. This will have a positive impact on children’s learning and enjoyment in the future. However, evaluation is in the early stages of development and has not yet targeted areas that most need improvement, such as, particular aspects of documentation, or to extend the organisation of the environment and encourage children to help plan the layout of resources, empowering those who are less confident to make

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provision

independent choices. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are actively supported by the childminder who prioritises her time with them and consistently engages with them at eye level. They receive warm responses to their questions, for example, when they enquire about visitors. Consequently children are settled and at ease. There is an appropriate balance between adult and child-led activities. Outings are planned to local parent and toddler groups which further develops children’s social skills. To ensure children’s safety when travelling, outings are minimised when four children attend. There are opportunities to use the garden in the fresh air and children enjoy playing energetically in the spacious indoor environment, bouncing large balls. A sample menu shows a variety of home cooked and fast foods and children’s individual dietary needs are sought and respected with different meal combinations provided for each child. Fruit is provided at snack time which encourages children to try

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Detailed assessment records plot children’s general progress against aspects of learning and are in the early stages of identifying and summarising progress towards the early learning goals. Parents are not yet actively contributing to children’s records or identifying starting points and capabilities from home to demonstrate that they achieve as much as they can in relation to their starting points and capabilities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Older children show a keen sense of responsibility and tidy away spontaneously while younger children learn by quietly watching. They are encouraged to develop strategies to resolve minor disagreements, for example, by practising assertiveness when necessary. Children enjoy following their interests and the childminder provides resources on request, such as, play dough. She interprets younger children’s gestures and communications well, opening a box for them to choose alternatives, such as, printing stamps or paint sticks and handing out sheets of paper. However, the storage arrangements sometimes limit children’s confidence and independence. As children enjoy making pastry cases with play dough, they use tools well and manipulate dough into tiny fruits, counting them carefully. This is extended by the childminder who slowly counts additional pieces up to 20, encouraging younger children's numeracy skills by watching and repeating. As

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

young children ask to paint a pig, the childminder guides their hands, helping them to understand size and shape by describing the big and small circles they draw together. Worksheets are sometimes used for colouring and making marks which limits creativity, however, children delight in identifying their own achievements, using paint sticks creatively and saying 'I did it'. Children enjoy independently investigating and discussing the properties of paint sticks, shaking the pens vigorously and identifying the sound of water inside. Books are attractively displayed therefore children enjoy independently selecting books and handing them to the childminder to read. The childminder involves them well by asking questions about the illustrations thus motivating them to choose more books. 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? 3 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? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 provide a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email (Procedures for dealing with complaints) (Applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 20/02/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Insurance) (Applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 13/02/2009 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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