Childminder in Kingston upon Thames

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY387042 Inspection date 29/09/2009 Inspector Joanna Scott

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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 lives with her 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 her partner who is also a registered childminder. A maximum of three children under eight years can be cared for when the childminder is working alone, and two of these may be in the early years age range. A maximum of five children can be cared for when working with her co-childminder and all of these may be in the early years age range. Currently there are two children on role, one attends on a full-time basis 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.

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Description of the childminding

The bathroom and toilet are on 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 is available at the rear of the house for outdoor play.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The children are happy and settled and enjoy their time at the setting. The childminder and her co-childminder ensure there are a good mix of adult led and child initiated play opportunities available both inside and out, and this results in children making very good progress. Children's welfare needs are met. The childminders use informal systems for self-evaluation which are effective in driving continuous development.

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further?

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

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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

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the early years provision

The childminder and her co-childminder work closely and effectively together. All aspects of the provision are jointly managed, with each able to ensure operational issues are carried out in the absence of the other. There are robust systems to safeguard children. The childminder carries out daily checks to ensure the premises is safe and well prepared for the arrival of the children, and risk assessments are completed in the home and for outings. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and the procedures to follow should This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 she, her co-childminder, or parents have a concern. Policy documents are clear and shared with parents, and all regulatory documentation is maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a professional and enthusiastic approach to her role, and she and her co-childminder have highly effective systems to self-evaluate their provision. This has resulted in them regularly reviewing their home and creating an exceptionally child orientated environment. They give high regard to making an excellent range of suitable resources accessible to young children. The garden is well utilised to create an outdoor learning environment, for example, by their display of letters and numbers along fences, and them providing such a good range of activities such as water play and shell sorting for the children to enjoy.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established good links with parents, and much information is shared on a day to day basis through discussion and the use of a diary. This allows the childminder to meet the individual needs of the children in her care. There are frequent opportunities to talk about children's development, although there are no formal systems in place to track this or link to next steps.

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and outcomes for children

The children benefit from the warm and nurturing relationships with the childminder and her family, and enjoy each others company. They are interested in the toys and activities the childminder provides, for example, a young child spends an extended period of time at the builders tray sorting pasta and lentils by size into pots. They take great care to pick up individual lentils in a pincer grip before dropping them into their chosen container. The childminder extends their learning; she uses mathematical language such as 'big' and 'small' and counts with the child as they sort. She talks to children about sounds and encourages children to use their 'magic finger' to trace the shape of the letters they are familiar with, for example, the one at the start of their name.

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and outcomes for children

The children enjoy being active and outside, and are learning habits which promote their good health. They eat healthy meals which the childminder provides in line with their individual dietary needs and preferences, and they take part in growing and caring for tomatoes and strawberries in the garden. They are learning about being safe, for example, they know the childminder's rules about using the netted trampoline, and they talk about not touching unknown dogs who approach them in the park. They are becoming increasingly independent. The childminder and her co-childminder consistently encourage children to wash their hands before eating, to choose their own toys, and to try to put on their water or painting aprons. Young children sleep in line with their individual routines, the childminder is alert to the children's body language and mood and recognises when the child is tired. This means that children are comfortable, well rested and wake refreshed

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and outcomes for children

and ready for learning. 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 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

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Stage

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

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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

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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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