Childminder in Merton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY290294 Inspection date 18/12/2009 Inspector Lorraine Sparey

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 regularly works with another childminder, and only childminds from her co-childminder's house in the London borough of Merton. The whole of the premises is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children when working alone, and a maximum of eight children at any one time when working with another childminder. There are currently six children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She takes and collects children from local schools and currently supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are making steady progress in their learning and development because the childminder provides a range of age-appropriate activities and play opportunities. The childminder knows the children and their families well and is able to adequately meet their individual needs. The childminder has made steady progress since her last inspection and has successfully addressed most of the recommendations to improve outcomes for children. However, the systems to monitor and evaluate the provision is in the early stages and are not effective in correctly identifying all areas to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the risk assessment covers all potential hazards with particular regard to the garden  review the use of the garden to ensure that children have regular opportunities for outdoor play  ensure that the information gathered through observations and assessments is used effectively to plan the next steps in children's learning  develop systems of self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

Children are appropriately safeguarded because the childminder demonstrates sound awareness of how to keep children safe. She has recently attended a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safeguarding course and is aware of the procedures to follow in the event of a concern being raised. The childminder has written policies and procedures which she has devised with her co-childminder and parents receive copies when they initially register their child. This ensures that all parties are clear on their role and responsibility in protecting children from harm and neglect. The childminder has a written risk assessment to ensure that the environment both indoors and outdoors is safe and secure. However, some potential hazards in the garden have not been identified. For example, a wheelbarrow propped up against the fence.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder using the space available well to support their learning and development. The children can freely move between the lounge and dining room and resources are generally accessible to encourage free choice. Additional resources are stored on high shelves and children know they can request them. Children have some access to the well resourced garden, however, outdoor play is often restricted to fine weather.

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the early years provision

The childminder has begun to implement procedures to monitor and evaluate the provision. For example, she has attended training on safeguarding, Common Assessment Framework (CAF), food hygiene and is waiting for a place on the self- evaluation course. She and her co-childminder discuss children's progress and whether the activities meet children's needs. Both childminders have met with the early years advisors to further update their knowledge and understanding. The childminder recognises there are some gaps in her knowledge with regard to Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework particularly with regards to learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops positive relationships with the parents. They discuss on a daily basis what activities their children have participated in and other information relating to their welfare needs such as nappy changing and sleeps. The childminder completes observations and assessments on all the children and shares this information with the parents inviting them to comment to ensure they feel included in their children's learning. However, the information gathered is not always used effectively to plan the next steps because the childminder does not fully understand how to use this information. Parents comment that they feel their childminder is ‘consistently doing a fantastic job’ looking after their children and that both childminders provide good levels of support for their children. The childminder has developed positive relationships with other early years settings that the children attend. She shares information on children's next steps, themes

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the early years provision

and projects to ensure a consistent approach to children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminders. They are comfortable and benefit from appropriate levels of support which helps them to feel confident and secure. The childminder works with her co-childminder to ensure children are supported in their play. For example, children benefit from her co-childminder supporting the children in making mince pies whilst she is preparing their evening meal. On other occasions these roles are reversed. The childminder knows the children's individual This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 interests and ensures that she makes time throughout the week to include these. For example, one child enjoys dancing and she allows time for musical activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children make choices in their play and enjoy using the well resourced shop. They confidently involve a visiting adult and the childminder in their play. The childminder extends their learning through discussion and encourages children to develop their mathematical skills through weighing some of the food. All children are encouraged to participate in activities at their own level. During a creative activity children are encouraged to make an angel. The childminder allows them to develop their own ideas using a variety of colour paints. They talk about the different colours and the childminder praises them when they correctly identify them.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning about healthy lifestyles through discussion and know and understand when and why they wash their hands. Appropriate nappy changing procedures mean that children are comfortable at all times. Children benefit from healthy nutritious meals which are provided by the childminders. The childminder has sound procedures to ensure that sleeping children are closely monitored. Children are encouraged to learn about how to keep themselves safe. They know that when they want to do an activity at the table they need to sit in the secure highchairs. The childminder is an appropriate role model and consistently reminds young children about potential issues. Children's home language is supported within the setting. They benefit from the childminder speaking other languages. They are encouraged to count and learn words to support their language development. Children are well behaved given their age and stage of development.

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and outcomes for children

They are polite and well mannered. A two-year-old says 'excuse me' to a visiting adult. They say please and thank you at appropriate times and show consideration to their peers with regard to sharing the resources. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

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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