Edwards, Nicole Jane

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 EY363489 Inspection date 11/03/2009 Inspector Siobhan O'Callaghan

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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 November 2007. She lives in Muswell Hill in North London. Her home is within walking distance to local shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The childminder’s home is situated on the ground floor of an Edwardian house. All areas of the home are utilised for childminding purposes. There is a secure garden for children to play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register to provide care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age group and two children in the later years age group. All children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends several local toddler groups and childminding support groups on a regular basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are making effective progress in their learning and development as the childminder consistently plans an exciting range of activities and experiences which motivate them to learn. Her commitment to working in partnership with parents further supports her in meeting children's unique needs as they regularly discuss all aspects of children's welfare and progress. The childminder demonstrates a positive approach to implementing improvements within her practice; this is evident within her enthusiasm to update her knowledge and skills through attending ongoing training opportunities.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve risk assessments to ensure that these include each type of outing that children are taken on, and an assessment of the required adult to child ratios  further develop assessment systems to show how children are making progress in their learning and use this information to promote their next steps in learning

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provision

The childminder has established comprehensive records, policies and procedures required for the safe and efficient management of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Her thorough risk assessments of the home and garden ensure that children can play safely in a warm and secure environment. The childminder vigilantly supervises children at all times, including when they are asleep. She is aware of her duty to safeguard children from un-vetted adults and therefore This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 promotes this within her daily practice. The childminder demonstrates an ability to conduct outings with children in a safe and appropriate manner. She has permissions in place from parents before embarking on any trips. However, she is yet to carry out a full risk assessment for all the outings that she enjoys with children to ensure that safety measures have been monitored and assessed prior

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provision

to them going out. The childminder is able to protect children from harm or neglect as she has a good understanding of Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. She has a clear understanding of her responsibility to work in partnership with parents and outside professionals to safeguard children.

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provision

The childminder is knowledgeable in her understanding of how young children learn and develop. This in-turn enables her to effectively plan and organise a stimulating and accessible environment for children. They independently access all areas of the home as they move freely from the living room to the kitchen where they help themselves to an excellent variety of resources in both rooms. The childminder continually reflects on her practice to improve outcomes for children. She monitors her home environment to ensure that all children have opportunities to follow their choices of play. She improves her own knowledge through attending interesting and relevant training opportunities within early years and then implements good practice ideas within her work with children. The childminder provides children with good quality books and resources that help to promote a positive attitude towards diversity and inclusion. Children's home backgrounds and

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provision

individual cultures are discussed with parents prior to them starting so that they can be acknowledge and valued within the provision. Children are supported to feel a sense of belonging within the childminder's home as she attractively displays their work to acknowledge that she values their efforts.

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provision

Parents are provided with good quality information about the early year's provision. They have a bright parent's brochure with details of the experiences that are offered to their children. They are given an overview of the childminder's policies and procedures and a statement to reinforce her commitment to working in partnership with them. Parents are encouraged to share information about all aspects of their children's welfare and progress. Newly introduced assessment records give parents opportunities to observe photographs of their children at play and therefore observe many of their achievements. Although as yet these assessments are not being fully utilised to link in with the children's individual learning and to plan and highlight their future learning opportunities. The childminder has established some good links with the schools that children attend. Through parental questionnaires parents have been asked to comment on the

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provision

services that they receive, some of their comments include: "I think the childminder's care is excellent" and "the childminder is an excellent and caring childminder my children enjoy their time with her very much." These positive partnerships contribute towards children receiving consistent care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder organises a stimulating learning environment for children which supports them to be independent and active learners. Children arrive happily in the morning and confidently access their child-friendly environment which has been set This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 up before their arrival. Babies enjoy playing with table top activities as well as crawling into a small tent where they are delighted to demonstrate their skills in making music with the variety of activity centres that are available to them. The childminder effectively plans her routines to ensure that children have ample opportunities to engage within self-initiated play alongside time to take part within adult-led activities. Babies are excited to participate within finger painting activities where they clearly enjoy the textures of the paint as they explore with all their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

senses. The childminder skilfully interacts with them to extend their learning and enjoyment as she talks to them about what they are doing and how the paint feels on their skin. The childminder supports the children to take prints of their finger patterns as she provides them with paper. The children are delighted with the praise they receive for their lovely work.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has established some worthwhile planning and assessment systems to support all children within her setting. She ensures that they receive an enjoyable and challenging experience across the areas of learning as she gives due emphasis to the early learning goals within the planning of her environment and the experiences she offers to children. The childminder values working in partnership with parents to support children's progress, she communicates with them regularly to review children's development within her setting. The childminder skilfully promotes the early learning goals within her routines as she effectively supports them in their play and routines. For example, older children learn positive self-care skills as they take responsibility for laying the table for tea. They are also involved in preparing food as they help to make home-made soup. Babies too are learning positive self-care skills, they are supported to wash their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

hands independently as the childminder has purchased a small make-shift sink which is attached to the bath, and this is conveniently at their level and thus successfully promotes their independence.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder values children's ideas and choices of play. Following a recent visit to the Natural History Museum the childminder made books with the children to recall their experiences. This led into a further activity where children requested that they wanted to make their own dinosaurs like the ones they had observed at the museum. The childminder honoured these requests and provided them with the resources and support to achieve their desired goals. Children have good opportunities to be active and understand the benefits of physical activity. Older children walk to and from school each day with opportunities to visit the local park on the way home. Whilst younger children visit regular toddler groups and soft play provisions where they have opportunities to climb, run and jump. Children have been learning about the importance of keeping their bodies healthy through a recent topic on 'Our Bodies' they have looked at how their bodies work and what

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

we need to do in order to keep ourselves fit and well.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is promoted well through their daily routines. They learn to understand and adopt healthy habits such as good hygiene practices. For example, each child has their own individual colour coordinated flannel to help prevent the spread of cross-infection. The childminder maintains a safe and clean home environment whereby positive hygiene procedures are promoted. Children are learning how to behave in ways that are safe for themselves and others as the childminder teaches them how to keep safe. For example, older children learn This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about potential hazards to babies as they do not play with small resources at the babies’ level. They learn about the dangers of traffic as they are supported to walk safely within the local environment. Children are supported to make healthy choices about what they eat and drink. They sit comfortably at a small child sized

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

table where they enjoy eating their mid-morning snack of toast and chopped banana. Children with allergies or special dietary requirements have their needs met as the childminder liaises closely with their parents about the foods that children can and cannot eat. Overall, children are happy and content within the childminder's care. It is clear that they are valued within the setting as they receive high levels of care and attention. They are developing polite manners and respect not only for each other but for those with the wider community as they learn about each others different backgrounds and cultures. These positive learning experiences help to set secure foundations for their future learning. 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 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 registration.

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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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