Childminder in Enfield

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 EY315603 Inspection date 29/06/2009 Inspector Lindsay Hare

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged three and five years in Winchmore Hill, Enfield. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house and one bedroom upstairs are used for childminding and there is a secure garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care on each weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

Children on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register share the same facilities as those on the Early Years Register. There are currently six children on roll, five of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good and children are making generally good progress in their learning and development, although there are some weaknesses in the observation and assessment process. The childminder provides a safe and welcoming environment for all children and ensures that they are all included and supported. The close partnership with parents ensures that the needs of all children are met and that they get any additional support they may need. However, some lack of understanding of the requirements has led to a requirement not being met. The childminder is generally able to identify some of the strengths and areas for improvement within her practice in order to secure future development and has met the recommendations from the last inspection.

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further?

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

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further?

 use self-evaluation and quality improvement processes to identify strengths and areas for development within the provision that will improve the quality of the provision for all children  develop the observation and assessment of children to include an evaluation which identifies where children are in their learning and use this to plan their next steps.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 request written parental permission to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 06/07/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children's welfare, care and safety are promoted well. Most of the required documentation is in place for the safe and efficient running of the setting, although written parental permission to the seeking of any emergency medical advice or treatment has not been requested. This is required to ensure that children's welfare and safety is not compromised. The childminder's professional and friendly approach to maintaining effective partnerships with parents ensures that the children's care is consistently promoted. There are good systems in place to share information and keep parents informed about their children's care and progress, through daily discussion and the sharing of children's records. Detailed information is gathered from parents when they start about children's care, routines and background so that the childminder can care for them effectively. For example, when they start the childminder has a list of key words and asks parents to record

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provision

down any different words the children may use to ensure that they are understood and feel comfortable.

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provision

The childminder has a clear knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and recognises her role and responsibilities in keeping children safe from harm. Children move freely around the premises because the childminder takes effective steps to minimise hazards and supervises them at all times. Daily safety checks are completed as well as comprehensive risk assessments of the premises and garden. The childminder is keen to develop her skills and knowledge to raise standards and improve her practice, however she does not have any formal procedures in place to review her daily work to identify areas for improvement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have good opportunities to help them make steady progress across all areas of learning and development. There are planned activities, which are based around the children's interests and needs, which ensures that they are relevant and meaningful to children. The childminder clearly knows the individual children very well and makes incidental observations of them as they play. Assessment records are in the early stages of development and do not always detail what the children are learning and therefore do not fully support the future planning of children's individual next steps. Children have access to a wide range of activities and resources and they are able to self-select from low level storage, therefore encouraging them to make choices and support their independence. Children's self-esteem is promoted and they feel valued as their pictures are displayed around the childminder's home.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children are treated with equal concern and respected individually. They have daily access to a range of play resources and books providing positive images of diversity and learn about the local community through regular outings to the school, shops and library where opportunities to learn about differences and the wider world are provided. Children are beginning to investigate different cultures, taking part in the childminder's celebration of Eid. They enjoy looking at books and are involved in selecting their own books on visits to the library. There are good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 opportunities to develop mathematical skills as the childminder and her husband play a number lotto game with the children and then extend this by encouraging simple addition and subtraction, supporting the children by using their fingers to help them find the answer. Children initiate their own play and have lots of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

opportunities to be creative, engaging in 'making lunch' for the childminder's husband and dressing up. Children use their senses, smelling flowers as they go for walks and feeling the different textures of sand, water and cornflour. They develop their fine motor skills as they thread the lacing cards and beads and use different mediums to make patterns on paper, such as printing with elastic bands. There are opportunities to mark make and some children are able to write their own name independently. Children experience the benefits of fresh air and exercise as they have access to a variety of challenges at local parks as well as in the garden and on walks to the nearby school. Children explore the natural world as they grow strawberries and tomatoes in the garden.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and her husband and have developed warm and affectionate relationships with them. For example, the children and parents call them 'auntie' and 'uncle'. This greatly contributes to children's sense of belonging and gives them the confidence and security to explore their environment. The positive interaction and sensitive support provided by the childminder and her husband means that children can develop their skills because they feel comfortable and settled. The childminder takes an active interest in what the children do, asking what they have been doing at school and home and uses lots of open-ended questioning to encourage children's thinking. Children learn about keeping themselves safe, through discussion about the fire exit signs and as they practise fire drills. The childminder reinforces children's understanding of keeping themselves safe through their play. For example, she uses the hand

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

puppets to illustrate the importance of holding hands when crossing the road and the children knew they needed to wear gloves when using the oven to 'cook dinner' because it is hot. Children play happily together, sharing resources. They behave well because they are busily occupied and their needs met. 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? 3 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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