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

p.1

Unique reference number EY296408 Inspection date 11/03/2009 Inspector Audrey Opal Ufot

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 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.

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 registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and children aged eight and 15 years in the London Borough of Brent, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding, with the exception of the bedrooms.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder has overall responsibility for childminding practice. Her assistant works in a supportive role.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into a caring environment where some aspects of their welfare are suitably promoted. This ensures that children are safe and secure. Parents are provided with two-way communication books so that their children's individual care and stages of development are met. The childminder observes and records the activities children take part in. However, she is still to establish the system in place for assessing and use this to plan for the next stage in the children’s learning. The childminder provides an inclusive service and has developed good working partnerships with parents and others. She is developing the use of self-evaluation to identify key strengths and areas for improvement.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 use observations and assessments of children to inform the planning of activities  further develop a system of self-evaluation to monitor the provision and identify targets for improvement.  develop knowledge and understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedure  develop the process of assessing children's starting points To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.3

further?

 maintain a record of the risk assessment clearly 15/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation) (Suitable premises, environment & equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register)  ensure emergency evacuation of the premises, in the case of fire is recorded. (Documentation) (Suitable premises, environment & equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 15/04/2009

p.3

provision

The childminder has attended training, such as introduction to childminding course and both she and her assistant are first aid trained. The childminder and her assistant have also attended some training in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory framework for learning and development. Both the childminder and her assistant have a positive attitude towards developing their understanding of the EYFS. The childminder observes and records what children are doing during play activities.

p.4

provision

Children are safeguarded because both the childminder and her assistant are suitably vetted. Children’s welfare is satisfactorily met because the childminder has the required policies and procedures in place which she shares with parents. The record keeping systems in place ensure children’s individual needs, dislikes, preferences and routines are provided for.

p.4

provision

The daily routine gives children the opportunity to play with a range of toys and play materials which the childminder and her assistant rotate on a daily basis. This ensures children are engaged in purposeful play. The childminder reports that she has developed good working relationships with parents. At the start of childminding arrangements parents are provided with policies and procedures which inform them about the childminder's service. They are required to sign these documents and other relevant consent forms. However, she has not yet implemented a system to gather information regarding where children are in their learning when they first start. The childminder provides an inclusive provision for all children. She provides each child with a portfolio that records observations of the activities they taken part in. However, she does use the observations gathered to assess what children can do in order to plan for the next stage in their learning.

p.4

provision

Parents are provided with sufficient information about how to make a formal complaint.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and enjoy the time they spend with the childminder and her assistant. Children settle and play well because the childminder and her assistant give them appropriate support and individual attention when needed. The childminder has organised her living room so that there is sufficient space for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children to play, crawl, eat and rest comfortably. Generally children are learning through everyday play experiences. Children have access to and can select from a wide range of toys, cultural books, dressing-up clothes and role play materials. These resources encourage children to engage in enjoyable imaginary play. For example, young children whose vocabulary is developing role play as they carry many bags on their arms and say 'shops'. At other times children have fun as they play a game with the assistant taking off and putting on necklaces.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are learning to count through nursery rhyme songs and counting games. For example, the childminder uses inset puzzles to encourage children to count from one to three. In other situation children have many opportunities to play with programmable toys as they press buttons on musical toys and play with a calculator. Healthy and nutritious meals and snacks are provided by the childminder, and children are offered regular drinks of water throughout the day. Children enjoy regular fresh air and opportunities to practise physical skills when they visit the park and playgroups. The childminder gives parents a copy of her sick child’s policy, which states that children must not attend if they are contagious. As a result, children are protected from unnecessary illness. Children are encouraged to learn about acceptable behaviour through the calm approach which the childminder adopts. She gave examples of how she approaches a variety

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

of situations for children’s different ages. As a result, children are happy and behave well.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has started to self-evaluate her practice and has identified aspects for improvement. She intends to organise training courses to develop these areas. At the previous inspection three recommendations were made. The childminder now provides many opportunities for the children to access and play with wide range of cultural toys such as dolls dressed in their cultural customs, dressing-up clothes and books. These support children in their learning about the different cultural groups within their communities and the wider world. There is a current first aid certificate and a well stocked first aid box in place. This ensures children receive the most suitable response in the event of an accident or emergency. Children are safeguarded because the childminder has attended training in child protection procedures. As a result, she has gained a sound understanding of the different types of child abuse and is aware of the importance of recording concerns

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

and reporting these to the appropriate agencies. However, she has not yet attended training in the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children with English as an additional language are helped to settle and feel secure by the childminder who speaks and sings nursery rhyme songs with the children in their home languages such as Spanish and Portuguese. Parents are informed about their children’s care and what they have achieved during the day through daily feedback discussions, portfolio and two-way communication books. The childminder seeks permission from parents for emergency medical advice or treatment. She has medication policy in place with records of medication administered. The childminder risk assesses her home to ensure that the areas used are safe for children and uses safety equipment, such as a smoke alarm and fire blanket. However, some records for risk assessments are not yet implemented and records are not kept up-to-date when fire drills are carried out. The childminder informed that none of the minded children attend other Early Years

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 provisions. However, she intends on developing links with the local school and nursery when this become necessary. She also reports that she has built close working partnerships with the local childminding support network that has supported her in the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory framework. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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.7

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.7

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.7

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? 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.7

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.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8

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.

p.8

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:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report 15/04/2009

p.8

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:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report 15/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.8

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.

p.9

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.

p.9

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.9

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.

p.9