Childminder in Croydon

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 EY300189 Inspection date 25/06/2009 Inspector June Fielden

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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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and four children aged 17, 15, 12 and nine in Norbury, London, close to shops, parks and schools. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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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, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in the early years age group. The provision is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder regularly attends toddler groups.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder successfully promotes all aspects of children's welfare and learning to ensure that their individual needs are met. Children are safe and secure in the childminder's care, and are provided with opportunities to make the most of the time that they spend with her. She has an effective relationship with parents and understands the importance of communicating with staff at other settings children attend. The childminder is aware of her strengths and areas for further development, and involves parents in the evaluation of her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop further the system for planning, observing and assessing children

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provision

The childminder has attended a wide range of relevant training opportunities since her last inspection to develop her knowledge and improve outcomes for children. She has a comprehensive set of policies and procedures, to make parents aware of how she organises her practice and to ensure children's welfare. The childminder obtains all the necessary information to ensure children's well-being when contracts are signed with parents and her records are stored securely to maintain confidentiality. Through self-evaluation the childminder identifies her strong points as the way in which she keeps parents well informed about her setting and children's progress. Also, the manner in which she seeks their views and opinions about her practice, to assist her in making further improvements, and her ability to speak several languages to enable her to communicate with children and parents This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

from other cultures. The childminder has made all of the improvements recommended at her last inspection, including ensuring that parents sign all documentation appropriately when children require medication. Consequently, these have had a positive impact on children's health and safety. The childminder has also continued to develop her practice further by becoming familiar with the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in order to implement these efficiently.

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provision

Parents are provided with their own notice board to efficiently provide them with information relating to their child's care and education. This displays documents such as the weekly timetable, the childminder's menu and the complaints procedure. The childminder completes a weekly record sheet for each child. This contains details about what they eat, the activities they have been involved in, and the daily observations the childminder makes of the child, to make parents aware of their progress. When they collect their child parents are also informed of any particular achievements they have made and children take home work they produce to further involve them in their child's learning. The questionnaires completed by parents show that they are happy with the care provided for their child. The childminder has a good understanding of how to care for children with learning difficulties or disabilities, and those with English as an additional language.

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provision

She is also aware of the need to liaise with other professionals involved in their care. She has attended courses in safeguarding since her last inspection and has an effective understanding of how to protect children from harm.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with effective activities that cover all areas of learning. They are offered a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities, and the childminder uses information provided by parents and her own observations to establish children's starting points. She makes regular observations of children and uses her assessments to inform her planning. In order to further enhance outcomes for children she is currently in the process of adapting her system for planning, observing and assessing them. Children are cared for affectionately by the childminder and she continually asks them questions in order to develop their communication skills. They are regularly taken to toddler groups to enable them to socialise with others. The childminder organises art and craft activities for children and provides them with role play equipment to develop their imagination. They play in the childminder's garden, using a variety of sit and ride toys, a slide and a

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

small see-saw to enable them to exercise effectively. The childminder shows them toys from the past, to develop their knowledge of what children used to play with. She celebrates festivals from different cultures with children and uses multi-cultural pictures, books and posters in different languages to raise their understanding of diversity.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a welcoming and friendly environment. They follow effective hygiene routines, such as washing their hands before they eat and using their own towel to prevent the risk of cross-contamination. Parents provide their own food for children which is stored appropriately to ensure it remains fresh. Children are offered healthy snacks of a variety of different fruit and water is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 always available to ensure they are not thirsty. The childminder keeps written risk assessments for her home and outings, which are regularly reviewed. She makes children aware of keeping themselves safe on outings, as she teaches them about road safety. Effective measures are in place to ensure children's safety. Smoke alarms are fitted on each floor and there is a fire evacuation procedure which is practised with children. The childminder has a broad range of toys and equipment

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

that is appropriate for all minded children. She regularly rotates the toys available to children to maintain their interest. The childminder uses effective strategies to promote good behaviour and children and parents are aware of her house rules. She regularly praises children and encourages them to share. A computer is available for children to use and the childminder develops their skills in information technology by teaching them how to use the mouse. She extends children's knowledge of the world around them by taking them on outings and by interesting them in the plants in the local environment. 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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