City and Islington College

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 130409 Inspection date 06/05/2009 Inspector Susan Ennis

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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 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 registered in 2000. She lives with her partner and three children aged six, nine and 13 in Watford, Hertfordshire. The whole of the childminder's house, apart from the loft conversion, is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There is level access to the premises. The family has one fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five 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.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has made links with the local pre-school and collects children from the local schools.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder offers a safe, secure and welcoming environment in which children thrive. Her effective approach to planning ensures that the children's interests and development are consistently promoted and that they enjoy their time with her. She builds trusting relationships with parents and schools to ensure that all children's individual needs are generally met. Through self-evaluating her practice, the childminder has a clear picture of her strengths and areas for improvement and is therefore able to make effective changes to improve the daily care and experiences for the children in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the assessment procedures further to include an initial assessment of children to inform planning and the monitoring of children's development  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips  develop further the partnerships with parents and other agencies.

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provision

The daily implementation of practical safety policies and procedures ensure that children are well protected at all times. For example, they are gaining a good understanding of safety issues through ongoing explanations and participating in associated activities such as practising the emergency fire drill. The childminder uses consistent monitoring of the environment, enabling children to move around the setting freely and with confidence. She carries out daily safety checks of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 premises and more detailed risk assessments on a continuous basis. However, as these do not contain specific risk assessments for outings undertaken, children's safety is potentially affected. Children's welfare is promoted because the childminder has a good understanding of issues relating to safeguarding children and also ensures that she has all relevant information and contact details in place.

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provision

The childminder evaluates her daily practice, actively seeking the views of her peers and participating in a wide range of additional training to help review and improve her work. She develops action plans for the future, to lead to potentially improving the outcomes for children. For example, she plans to develop her systems of evaluation by providing parent questionnaires to formally seek the views of those she works with. The childminder has a positive relationship with parents, verbally exchanging information enabling her to provide consistent care and support, especially through experiences such as potty training for example. The childminder discusses children's progress with the parents but to ensure that the parents are fully included in their child's learning this area requires further development. As does the childminder's partnership with others providing care for the children, to ensure consistency and the promotion of children's development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are consistently offered a wide range of interesting activities that support their progress across all areas of learning. The childminder knows the children well and is therefore aware of their individual interests and stage of development. She uses this information and that gained from observations and assessments to influence the daily activity plans. However, as procedures do not include a thorough initial assessment of the child, areas of concern or further challenge are potentially not highlighted and children's development is not optimally promoted.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's confident, flexible approach to planning means that children are encouraged to develop their own interests and play whilst being offered appropriate support which is inclusive of all. For example, when children become enthusiastic about cooking following an episode of a cooking programme on the television, the childminder uses this to involve the children in baking some cakes. Younger children are given more hands on support whilst the older ones are encouraged more verbally. Each step is then recorded in a laminated book that is later used to recall the activity and act as a topic for conversation. Spontaneous learning opportunities also widen children's experiences whilst they play. When children start talking about ladybirds, the childminder uses this as an opportunity to extend their counting and language skills. She encourages the children to share her 'special book' with her as they count the items on the page, make the animals

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

noises and tickling the chicks on the page. This then turns into a game causing much laughter and excitement as they are all tickled, included the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The inclusion of realistic activities means that the children are encouraged to explore and increase their awareness of the world around them. Their daily play includes, for example, use of dressing-up clothes and a playhouse in which they delight in making 'cups of tea' and being 'mummy', developing their imagination and language skills as they do so. When they become rather protective of the toy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 kettle they are sensitively asked to share it and when this does not resolve the issue the item is removed, helping the children learn positive behaviour and the consequences of their actions. On the way to the house, the children stop to put on their Wellington boots encouraging their independence, before going to bounce on the trampoline becoming aware of their physical abilities and the safety of others as they are reminded not to run. The childminder's thoughtful planning

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

means that they are offered activities that encourage their further thinking and extend their knowledge. They enjoy trips to the local park and woods and regularly attend appropriate groups enabling them to interact with their peers and others in the local community. They then take great delight in watching themselves on the childminder's laptop as the photographs taken are displayed for them to watch and discuss.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and welfare is effectively promoted as the childminder takes positive steps to minimise the spread of infection and provide the children with a well-balanced diet. They enjoy a good variety of home-cooked meals and are learning about their own needs as they have easy access to drink bottles for when they become thirsty. Overall, the childminder effectively plans and organises their systems to ensure that every child receives an enjoyable and challenging learning and development experience that is tailored to meet their individual needs. 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

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