Childminder in Kingston upon Thames

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

p.1

Unique reference number EY294837 Inspection date 29/06/2009 Inspector Amanda Jane Tyson

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was first registered in October 2004. She lives with her husband and three children, aged nine, seven and five years, in Surbiton, Surrey. The home is situated within walking distance of Tolworth Broadway shops, community facilities and public transport links. Kingston town centre and the A3 are within short commuting distance. The rear reception room, with direct access to a secure enclosed garden are the base for play activities. Children sleep in travel cots upstairs. There is a ground floor cloakroom and family bathroom on the first floor.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently four children within the early years age range on roll who attend a variety of days throughout the week. She is registered to care for a maximum of three children aged under eight years, of whom one may be aged under one year at any one time.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children were not observed at play during the time of inspection; the only present child was asleep for almost the entire duration. Nonetheless, evidence gained, through discussion with the childminder and observation of health and safety records, suggest that children's welfare is sufficiently safeguarded and promoted. The childminder describes a range of inclusive daily activities which provide children with access to the early learning goals. She has attended various training workshops since the last inspection which demonstrates a commitment towards ongoing improvement. However, not all the recommendations raised at the last inspection have been addressed and the childminder's knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is not yet fully developed.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 make the garage window panes safe or inaccessible to children  devise and implement a system for monitoring and assessing children's progress towards the early learning goals; to provide a clear picture of their learning journey from their starting points and to identify next steps for learning. Do this in partnership with parents, and where applicable, with children's other early years providers.  obtain prior written parental permission before administering non prescription medication This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Most records and documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the EYFS are in place and well maintained. For example, the childminder displays the written procedure for making a complaint and discusses all her regulatory responsibilities with parents prior to placement. Children's health history is well documented prior to the commencement of placement, and accidents and all administered medication are comprehensively recorded. However, although parents sign to acknowledge that the childminder has administered a medication dose at the end of the day, she has not obtained written permission to administer it in the first place. For example when non-prescribed medication is given to children, for instance brands for reducing temperature and soothing teething pain, because verbal consent is not verifiable. Nonetheless, children are well looked after if they

p.4

provision

become unwell because the childminder has recently updated her first aid training and is able to recognise signs and symptoms of the onset of illness.

p.4

provision

The childminder's friendly approach with parents ensures that information about children's routine care and development needs is shared with parents during handovers at the beginning and end of the day. However, the childminder does not document her observations of children's efforts and achievements or their emotional well-being which restricts the potential for evaluating how well they are progressing in order to inform assessment. Although the childminder has attended the initial EYFS information/briefing session, she has not completed any of the workshops to help her understand the requirements for planning and assessment and how to do this. Some children attend early years group settings in addition, but professional communication between the childminder and these providers has yet to be established. As a result, the childminder is unaware of their activity planning and of children's identified next steps for learning. This compromises the

p.4

provision

concept of children receiving complimentary EYFS experiences. Nonetheless, parents report, through questionnaires, that they are 'very satisfied' with the care provided citing that children are always happy to attend, they enjoy the range of activities and that children are well cared for.

p.4

provision

In the main the childminder makes good use of risk assessment to keep children safe. This is well demonstrated by the steps taken to safeguard children on outings; the childminder carries a mobile and her telephone number is strategically attached to them which enables a speedy reunion with her, if for example, they become lost but found by a responsible adult. The childminder updated her knowledge and understanding of what to do if she was worried about a child by attending both a child protection and a safeguarding training workshop since the last inspection. The childminder understands the importance of record keeping as a tool for monitoring children's welfare and development. However, a recommendation raised at the last inspection, to make the garage glass window panes safe, has not been addressed. The risk to children, for example from shattering glass, if hit by a ball, is too high. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. Play resources are maintained in good condition and are well organised so that children can help themselves, for example the art and craft cupboard, baskets of baby toys and accessible shelves with other toys. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to promote positive behaviour and to support children's learning of right and wrong. Moral messages, such as for sharing, are often delivered through the use of books. Common courtesies are encouraged. Good social skills are being developed through family style mealtime arrangements at the table. Parents provide all meals for children and the childminder offers healthy fruit snacks and makes sure that children drink regularly to prevent dehydration.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Throughout the week children enjoy a range of activities that are planned to link to their unique interests which the childminder knows well. For example, dollies and wheeled garden toys are washed with soapy water in the garden. Children visit the library most weeks which helps to encourage their interest in literacy. The childminder has an annual pass for the local theme park and zoo and so most weeks children enjoy visiting the range of real animals, including wild and exotic species close up. The regularity of these visits enables learning to be consolidated, for example about habitats (preschool children) and the names, colours, size and sounds that animals make (babies and toddlers). Individual flower pots and growing areas suggest that children are becoming budding gardeners; sunflowers, bedding plants and vegetables are being grown. Children enjoy painting, model making with playdough and have constant access to mark-making and writing

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

tools. The childminder describes role play, particularly with the play kitchen and barbeque, as very popular. She describes how she builds on this by initiating first- hand experiences, such as dusting and washing up activities.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder makes an effort to prioritise the routine sleep needs of younger children; they sleep comfortably in a travel cot and she checks on them regularly, although there is no monitor to ensure that she can hear them. Outdoor play experiences feature most days and this ensures that children receive plenty of fresh air which helps to keep them healthy and physically active. Children are well protected, with lotion and hats, from the effects of the sun. In the summer months children have fun with the water sprinkler and paddling pool. Toddler groups are carefully chosen to ensure that they meet the needs of all children, for example to provide outdoor play opportunities and clean baby toys. Children's understanding of road safety is consolidated daily on the trips out within the community. Preschool children are beginning to understand about stranger dangers and the rules for minimising the risk of getting lost, and they learn to use equipment, such

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Whilst children are provided with a range of stimulating and fun activities that do promote learning, it is not possible, at this stage, to securely assess how well they are achieving from their starting points because of the absence of a monitoring system. Nonetheless, the childminder demonstrates a commitment to developing this, along with her knowledge and understanding of the EYFS, in partnership with parents and children's other early years settings. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

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? 3 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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7