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

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Unique reference number EY379951 Inspection date 25/02/2009 Inspector Christine Stimson

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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 August 2008. She lives in a house in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames, close to local schools, parks and transport links. There is level access to the property with bathroom facilities on the first floor. The whole of the ground floor is used for children's play and the upstairs bedrooms are used for children to rest in their cots. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and nurseries.

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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 may be in the early years age range. The childminder currently has six children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age range; three of the children were present at the inspection. The childminder works with an assistant each day and when working together they may care for a maximum of six children under eight years, all of whom may be in the early years age range. The provision is registered on the Early Years Childcare Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary Childcare Registers. The childminder has completed her Early Years Professional Status qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are making excellent progress in their learning, as the childminder recognises each child is unique and plans activities taking into account individual abilities and interests. Inclusive practice is promoted as the childminder has developed professional and friendly relationships with parents by making sure a two way flow of information is exchanged, to ensure all children's needs are met. The childminder strives for continuous improvement by embracing training opportunities and uses her knowledge effectively in the day to day care of children. Children's overall achievement are important to the childminder, who takes steps to ensure they play in a clean, safe and stimulating environment. Some areas of documentation need to be developed.

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further?

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

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further?

 revise practice to ensure parents are made aware of the procedures to be followed if they request non prescribed medication to be adminstered to a child  make sure accident records are dated, as well as signed, by parents to show they were informed on the day  ensure the child protection policy has a procedure to follow in the event of an allegation being made against one of the assistants This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder manages her provision well, with activities planned according to each child's age and stage of development. She has some excellent resources designed to attract, stimulate and challenge the children, all of which are kept at child height to enable self-selection. Once a child has chosen a toy the childminder and her assistants join them in their play, offering support and challenge, resulting in good outcomes for children who learn through play. The childminder is very organised and maintains most records, policies and procedures required for the safe and efficient management of the setting. Attention to detail is required on the accident records and the safeguarding policy.

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provision

There are excellent links with parents, who receive a monthly newsletter keeping them up to date with events. They are invited to open evenings, receive good quality information about the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and are welcomed and valued by the childminder. Parents are well informed about their children's progress through daily discussions, notes in home link books and by being invited to look at their child's records at any time and during open evenings. Parents are encouraged to share what they know about their child verbally and are asked to complete an 'All about me' form for the childminder's records. The childminder gives parents a copy of all her policies and procedures, together with other information about her practice, when they make enquires. She currently works with two assistants and has taken steps to make sure they are suitable to work with children. The childminder strives for improvement by embracing training

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provision

opportunities to improve her knowledge of the EYFS.

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provision

The childminder self-evaluates her practice, looking for new challenges for children that will help them enjoy and achieve. She promotes inclusive practice by having an excellent partnership with parents, making sure all children's individual needs are met and by gently introducing children to diversity using resources and posters to gain their interest. She is aware of the importance of developing good relationships with other early years providers, but currently none of her minded children attend other settings.

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provision

The childminder undertakes quality risk assessments on her home and for outings, using a check list which is reviewed every three months, or as needed. The outdoor spaces and indoor environment are checked daily for safety using a separate list. The childminder has a sound knowledge of how to safeguard children, having attended training in this area, however her written policy does not have a procedure to follow in the event of an allegation being made against her assistants. The childminder has taken steps to promote children's health, but needs to review her procedures for administering medication to control children's temperatures.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy the activities planned by the childminder, who ensures they cover all areas of learning. They each have a scrap book of photos demonstrating how This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they have been given suitable challenges, with notes indicating what the child has achieved. The photos are listed under headings which link to the six areas of learning, with descriptions of what children are achieving from the activity. The childminder and her assistants make regular observations on children achievements and use these to update their progress records and plan for their next step of development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The playroom the children use is colourful and attractive, with all resources within easy reach for children to make a choice in their play. Happy and content children play on the floor, giggling and laughing as the childminder and her assistant sit them on their outstretched legs and sing songs to them, with children copying the sounds and gestures made by the adults. Children's independence is encouraged even when they are very young as they help the childminder put the toys back in boxes and are given spoons to hold whilst eating.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health is promoted, as the childminder provides children with nutritious foods, making sure parents are aware of what their children are eating by e- mailing monthly menus to them for approval. Children learn good hygiene practice, by following routines of hand washing before and after eating. Children play in a clean, well maintained environment and enjoy physical exercise whilst being cared for, using sit and ride toys, small climbing equipment and have movement and music classes organised each week from an outside provider. The childminder has taken steps to ensure children are safe in her care. Regular risk assessments ensure the areas used by children are safe and hazard free and the childminder's sound knowledge of child protection issues supports children's well being.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are learning about technology from a young age using child friendly cameras withrubber casings and special laptop equipment designed to attract and stimulate very young children. For example, during this inspection, children under two years of age were pressing buttons on a keyboard designed for children, which is connected to the laptop. They pick up the phone receiver and are connected with an animated figure on the screen. The playroom is print rich, with everyday items labelled and toys boxes displaying pictures and words of what is inside. Children can help themselves to books and sit on cosy floor cushions to look at them or listen to the childminder reading to them. The setting is a lovely environment for children to learn and develop. 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? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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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