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 EY331954 Inspection date 04/08/2009 Inspector Lindsay Ann Farenden

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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 has been registered since 2006. She lives with her husband and two children, who are both under the age of five years. Her husband is also a registered childminder and works from the premises next door. The premises are located close to Kingston town centre, in the London Borough of Kingston. The house is within walking distance of local parks, transport links and schools. The childminder works with a full time assistant; when working alone is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time of whom three may be in the early years age group. When working with an assistant the childminder is registered to provide care for six children under eight years, of these all may be in the early years age group. There are currently nine children on roll in the early years age group. The childminder is registered to provide care on the following registers; Early Years, Compulsory Childcare Register and the Voluntary Childcare

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Description of the childminding

Register. The childminder lives in a house where access to the toilet is on the ground floor. The whole of the ground floor area of the house and one bedroom on the first floor is used for childminding of which the main area for play is the ground floor rooms. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder regularly takes children to various parks.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. Excellent relationships with parents and other professionals involved with the children contribute to a fully inclusive childminding setting, where all children are valued. Children make very good progress in their learning and development because the childminder is very skilled at making sure that all children benefit from an exciting range of resources, activities and outings. The childminder is keen to attend training to further develop her excellent childcare knowledge and constantly strives to improve the experiences for the children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 carry out a full risk assessement for each specific outing

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provision

Children’s care and learning is greatly enhanced by the exceptional quality of the organisation of the childminding provision. Space is used very effectively to maximise play opportunities for children. Children play in a very clean, safe and child-centred welcoming environment. Their art work is very attractively displayed on the walls, so children feel their achievements are valued. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 All documentation is kept to very high standard and stored in a confidential manner. The excellent written polices and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice and parents are provided with a copy of them. The childminder is very motivated to improve her childminding practice through self-evaluation and seeking the views of parents through questionnaires.

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provision

The childminder has a very good understanding of creating a safe and child centred environment in which children play and are cared for in. Written risk assessments are in place relating to the childminding premises and the childminder also does daily checks of her home to ensure children’s safety at all times. Although risk assessments for outings are not written the childminder demonstrated how she gives high priority to children’s safety on outings. Regular fire drills help children become familiar with the procedures so they learn how to leave the premises quickly and safely. Children learn about keeping themselves safe, as the childminder explains to them the importance of holding hands when crossing the road and not going near cars. The childminder works with assistants and robust induction and checking procedures ensure they are suitable to care for children. The childminder carries out a yearly review of their performance and

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provision

expects them to attend childcare training to ensure their work with the children remains at a high standard.

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provision

Children benefit enormously from the extremely secure partnership between the childminder and their parents. The childminder gives daily feedback to the parents about their day, which helps to provide children with consistent care between home and the childminding provision. Excellent information is provided for parents through notice boards and the monthly newsletter includes the main activity topic of the month. Parents are also invited to social events, which gives them the opportunity to meet the parents of their children’s friends at the childminder’s home. Children’s individual needs are fully enhanced, as the childminder gathers details from parents about their child’s interests and routines before they start. The childminder then uses this information and her own observations of each child’s abilities to support their learning and development. The childminder ensures parents are aware of their child’s progress through six monthly meetings with them

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provision

to discuss their child’s progress report and their future learning goals.

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provision

The childminder is totally committed to providing a fully inclusive childminding provision for all children. The well established relationships with parents ensure that any gaps in children’s learning is identified at an early stage, so they are provided with the appropriate support to ensure they reach their full potential.

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provision

The childminder has a very good understanding of child protection and safeguarding issues and the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are extremely happy and relaxed within the childminding environment. They move between two rooms set up as play rooms with confidence. They confidently choose from the excellent range of play resources stored and displayed This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 at their level and activities set out for them. They enjoy dressing up, have great fun dancing to music and playing musical instruments, whilst learning about the different sounds they make. Children access an up to date computer and demonstrate good mouse control whilst playing learning games on it. They very much enjoy using rolling pins and cutters as they used the play dough. Children use their imaginations very well as they busily make their own models using recycled materials and develop their skills of cutting with scissors. The childminder takes time to play enthusiastically with the children and uses discussion and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

questions very successfully to challenge children’s thinking and language skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are taken on exciting outings which provide children with real experiences based on stories they have had read to them and topics they are doing. For example, children went to a farm to pick strawberries as part of a story which includes different fruits, picked real pumpkins when they learnt about Halloween and went to Brooklands museum when they did a topic on transport. Children develop physical skills through a very wide range of opportunities. For example, playing on wheeled toys and equipment in the garden. Jaber Jacks music session once a week is one the children’s favourite activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has taken time to develop her knowledge of the ‘Early Years Foundation Stage’. Children have a excellent range of activities and experiences throughout the well planned day which fully supports their learning and development. The childminder knows each child very well and written observations and photographs of them doing activities clearly show their achievements and uses this information very well to plan experiences to help each individual child move onto their next stage of development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from lots of positive praise and attention from the childminder which very successfully increases their confidence and self-worth. Children behave very well because the childminder is attentive to their needs and they are constantly occupied in purposeful play. Very well planned activities help children to understand and appreciate other cultures. Play resources and books reflecting diversity are fully integrated into every day play, so children begin to learn positive attitudes towards differences and similarities. Children thoroughly enjoy celebrating their birthdays with their friends in the childminding setting.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder maintains extremely high standards of hygiene to protect children’s health. She is first aid trained, so children are able to be treated appropriately in the event of an accident.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop healthy eating habits through being provided with a wide range of appetising nutritious home cooked meals. Any specific dietary requirements are fully catered for. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 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

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