Childminder in Merton

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 EY382474 Inspection date 06/05/2009 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 2008. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and six years in Morden, in the London borough of Merton, close to shops, parks and schools. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. This provision is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and the childminder offers care to children aged up to 12 years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and regularly attends toddler groups.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are cared for in a friendly and secure environment, and the childminder has an effective understanding of their individual needs. She successfully promotes their welfare and learning and plans for the next steps in their development. The childminder is aware of her strengths and areas in which she can further improve her practice. She seeks parents' opinions on her provision, and understands the importance of liaising with others involved in children's care.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the catch on the garden gate and all glass that is accessible to children within the home is included in the risk assessment

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provision

Effective policies and procedures are in place. These are shared with parents to ensure children's well-being. The childminder has undertaken further training since registration in order to improve her skills and update her knowledge. She stores her records securely to maintain confidentiality and makes children's development files available to their parents on request. The childminder has a successful settling in procedure for new children and collects purposeful information about them from parents to enable her to meet their requirements. She has an effective relationship with parents and provides them with detailed daily diary sheets to inform them of their child's progress and how their needs have been met. The weekly planning is displayed on the parents' notice board and sometimes activities initiated by the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder are followed up at home. Parents are provided with information about

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provision

the Early Years Foundation Stage when children are registered at the setting. The childminder discusses with parents the way in which she organises her provision and puts suggestions made by them into practice. She has a good understanding of safeguarding issues to ensure that children are well protected from harm. The childminder promotes children's knowledge of diversity through the discussions she has with them and the use of appropriate resources.

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provision

The childminder identifies the way in which she maintains children's good health by ensuring that they have sufficient exercise as one of her strengths. Whenever possible she lets children walk when they are on outings as she is aware of the way in which they benefit from this activity. She also believes that children enjoy the time they spend at her setting as they ask to repeat activities and often laugh while they are engaged in tasks. Since her registration visit the childminder has improved her practice by removing the tie backs from her curtains, as recommended, and has also obtained more multi-cultural resources to promote children's understanding of the world around them. She has also found that altering her routine for children's sleep time has also been beneficial. She now cuddles up with them for a story before they rest as this calms them down and prepares them for their sleep.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with good opportunities to assist them in making progress in their learning. They follow a daily routine which includes free play and organised activities, and the weekly planning covers all areas of learning. There is an effective balance of adult led and child initiated activities. For example, the childminder plans the focus activities each week, such as planting and caring for beans. The rest of the time children freely choose what they wish to do. She completes weekly observation sheets on children and uses her assessments to decide on the next stage in their development. As a result, children make good progress in their learning. Children are encouraged to count during everyday activities, such as the items of washing they help to remove from the machine. The childminder introduces them to festivals from different cultures and they watch television programmes that raise their awareness of the world around them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder leaves the back door open when the weather is suitable to enable children to have free access to the garden. Outside they can play with the sand and water, or exercise on the small vehicles the childminder makes available to them. Children use large chalks for mark making and play with treasure boxes that contain interesting objects for them to investigate, including stones, keys and spoons.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with healthy options at meal times. Hot meals are prepared from fresh ingredients and the childminder has a four weekly rotating menu to ensure that children are offered a variety of food. She is aware of children's dietary needs and makes sure that water is available to them at all times, to ensure that they are not thirsty. Efficient hygiene practices are followed by children, and they use liquid soap and their own towel when they wash their hands. A poster displayed in the toilet shows them how to do this correctly. Effective behaviour This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 management strategies are used by the childminder. For example, she praises good behaviour, distracts children when necessary, and explains that they should not throw things, as they may hurt someone. The childminder provides children with games and activities that encourage them to be inquisitive, and makes them

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

familiar with the world around them through outings and visits to local shops and schools. She teaches them about keeping themselves safe by showing them how to cross the road on outings and practices her evacuation procedure with them. There is a wide range of equipment and toys which are easily accessible to children. The childminder has a good understanding of creating a safe environment and risk assessments for her home and outings are in place and regularly reviewed. Although, at present she has not included the catch on the garden gate and the glass that is accessible to children within the home in these assessments. 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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