Childminder in Greenwich

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 510737 Inspection date 10/06/2009 Inspector Jill Nugent

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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 1997. She lives with her husband and three adult children in a house in Blackheath in the London Borough of Greenwich. Access to the house is via a step up from the drive leading directly from the roadway. Children have access to a secure back garden for outdoor play. The family has a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight at any one time. Currently she is minding three children, two of whom are in the early years age group and one is on the Childcare Register. She travels to a local school to take and collect children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has achieved a Children Come First quality assurance award.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder offers a welcoming and inclusive service where children are well-settled and enjoy a variety of play experiences. Her systems and procedures are effective in promoting children's welfare and supporting children's continuing development. She works closely with parents in order to continually meet children's individual needs. Through reflecting on her practice, and taking advantage of training opportunities, she maintains a continuous capacity to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 explore ways to make more use of the local neighbourhood to further extend children's learning.

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provision

The childminder makes effective use of her qualifications and experience to offer good quality care for all children. She has the required documentation in place and regularly reviews her policies to ensure they provide a sound framework for her practice. She has a close working partnership with parents, liaising with them to ensure that children's individual needs are met appropriately. She also liaises with children's schools so that she can consolidate and extend children's learning whilst they are in her care. Parents receive useful information about her provision and details of how both they and the childminder contribute to the partnership so that children receive maximum benefit. The childminder keeps parents well-informed about daily events, and their children's progress, by keeping a written diary and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 sharing individual learning journeys.

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provision

The childminder uses self-evaluation effectively to reflect on her practice and to highlight areas for further improvement. She takes into account the views of children and parents to assist in the ongoing monitoring of her provision. She is committed to keeping her own knowledge and understanding up-to-date by attending training courses. Recently she has attended training in aspects of children's learning and development, including Special Needs. She is keen to put into practice her training in Makaton signing. Her plans for the future development of her practice are relevant and well-targeted, for example, she plans to explore ways of using her neighbourhood to extend children's learning in different ways.

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provision

The childminder promotes an inclusive practice, spending time with children to ensure their well-being is prioritised and children are happy in the setting. Children learn to respect others in society through talking about different religions and cultures. They learn words in other languages and have access to books and toys that reflect diversity. The childminder has very good procedures in place regarding safeguarding issues. She has up-to-date information about child protection and knows where to seek advice if she has any concerns. She conducts regular risk assessments of the premises, and all outings, so that she can ensure children are safe at all times. Her close attention to children's welfare contributes to children keeping healthy and safe.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a variety of play activities in a stimulating environment. They have good access to a wide range of resources, all of which are in good condition and suitable for children of different ages. For example, babies have fun exploring colourful toys on a playmat whilst older children like to do jigsaw puzzles and draw pictures. The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn through their play and offers the appropriate support to move them on in their learning. She supports and enthuses very young children through playing with them and talking to them to encourage communication skills. Children respond with eye contact and smiles, and have fun as they bounce on her lap. Older children are supported in the acquisition of early literacy and numeracy skills through organised activities, such as art and role play. The childminder emphasises the need for children to complete their homework in order to develop good skills for the future.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Visits to the library are a priority so that children can extend their learning through choosing and enjoying books.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has introduced a comprehensive system for observing and assessing children's progress towards the early learning goals. She makes regular observations on children's development and creates 'Learning Journey' records, incorporating photographs to show particular learning experiences. In this way the childminder is able to focus on children's individual learning, for instance, encouraging a baby's emotional development or an older child's writing skills. She creates a monthly overview for each child to ensure that they are making progress in all areas of learning. This helps her to monitor her own provision and to plan future activities which are relevant to children's needs. There are good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 opportunities for children to explore creatively using a variety of materials in art and craft, or cookery. They find out about the natural environment as they explore

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the garden with its many different plants and insects and are encouraged to take part in physical activity using outdoor play resources on the patio.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder promotes children's welfare successfully through her attention to their well-being. She offers excellent support to children as they settle into her care, working flexibly so that they soon develop a sense of belonging. Children benefit from the childminder's calm personality and quickly gain self-confidence and independence. They learn to behave responsibly because she offers plenty of choice within the setting and uses appropriate methods of behaviour management. Children keep safe in her care because she is vigilant about risk assessing and regularly practises an emergency evacuation procedure. Through talking with children she raises their awareness of personal safety, for instance, the reasons for staying close to an adult on visits to the park. She provides healthy and nutritious meals and, if children bring their own foods, ensures these are stored correctly. Her medical records are well maintained and children learn to practise good

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

hygiene in order to minimise the risk of cross infection. 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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