Childminder in Kingston upon Thames

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY387038 Inspection date 28/09/2009 Inspector Joanna Scott

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with his partner and family in a house located in a residential road in Kingston-upon-Thames. There are six children in the family. One child attends college, two children attend secondary school, two children attend primary school and one child is below statutory school age. The childminder works with his partner who is also a registered childminder. A maximum of three children under eight can be cared for when the childminder is working alone, two of whom may be in the early years age range. A maximum of five children can be cared for when working with his co-childminder, all of whom may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children on roll, one attends full-time and is in the early years age range. The childminder takes children on outings to local parks and other places of interest. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding. Children may sleep upstairs in cots. The bathroom and toilet are on

p.4

Description of the childminding

the ground floor. Access to the house is at street level and there are no steps to negotiate on the ground floor. An enclosed garden area is available at the rear of the house for outdoor play.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The children are happy and feel safe in this welcoming environment. The childminder and his co-childminder work closely together in all aspects, and ensure their home is stimulating and accessible to the children in their care. Children's individual learning and welfare needs are met, and children are making very good progress. The childminder and his co-childminder have very effective informal systems to self-evaluate the service they provide, and they have been proactive in driving continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 implement systems between both childminders, parents, and any others delivering the EYFS to minded children, to track progress across the areas of learning and readily identify any gaps in each child's development

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder and his co-childminder have worked closely together at building their provision since registering. Policy documents were co-written and each has a clear understanding and ability to ensure that the operation runs smoothly. Appropriate records are maintained. Initially the childminder worked part-time with his co-childminder, but this has recently become a full time arrangement, which both parties are enthusiastic about. There are clear safeguarding procedures in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 place and the childminder understands his responsibilities regarding child protection.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder and his co-childminder both take an active role in evaluation and look for ways to improve outcomes for children. For example, the co-childminder recognised that dressing up resources could be made more appealing to children, and the childminder devised a system to allow clothes to be hung at low level and thereby be readily accessible. Now children can make independent decisions about role play.

p.5

the early years provision

The home and garden are organised exceptionally well. Areas which children are able to freely access are well planned so that children feel, and are, safe. Exceptional storage arrangements mean that children can readily access resources when they wish to lead their own play. The childminder ensures that children have daily opportunities to be outside and active, and sets up activities, games and toys in the garden which promote outdoor learning. The childminder and his co- childminder take an equal role in liaising with parents and sharing information about children's individual needs, and their development. They have a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Informal chats, the use of a diary and the sharing of photographs are effective in keeping each party up to date with children's development in a broad sense, although there is no system established to track development to readily highlight any gaps or areas of concern.

p.5

the early years provision

However, through observation and discussion it is clear that children are making good progress.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The children are happy and find plenty to interest them. They enjoy spending time in the garden where they develop their hand to eye co-ordination at the water tray and figure out how things work as they pour bubbly water into a wheel to make it turn. Inside they particularly enjoy role play and use the play food and cooking utensils as they model adult behaviour.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The children enjoy extremely warm and nurturing relationships with the childminder and his co-childminder. They move easily between the two adults and enjoy spending time with the childminders' family. Children involve each other in their play. The childminder is attentive, and supports young children as they learn to share and take turns. Children's individual routines are incorporated into the day, for example, the childminder recognises when they are tired and ensures they are able to sleep in the comfort of their travelcot.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The children are developing a positive attitude to healthy lifestyles. They enjoy cooking activities which the childminder leads, and they sometimes take an active role in making lunch and going to the shop to choose what fruit they will enjoy for snack. Young children understand that they wash their hands with soap before eating. They enjoy being active outside, where they bounce on the trampoline, and use ride on toys. They play in a home which is extremely well maintained, and the childminder has regular routines such as washing the floor on a daily basis which This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 protects children's health.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Young children are learning about keeping safe. They understand that when the gate is across the kitchen they are not allowed to go in on their own, and they understand that they only go upstairs to sleep. The childminder's attention to risk assessment means that children are able to freely move around the main areas used, and feel safe as they do so. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8