Home Childcarer in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY380108 Inspection date 06/10/2009 Inspector Chris Banks

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and two children in a two bedroom flat in the SE5 area of Southwark. A lounge and bedroom are the main areas used for childminding purposes. There is no outdoor play space but a park is within easy walking distance.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years, two of whom may be in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is not registered to provide overnight care.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder currently cares for two children in the early years age group and also provides occasional out of school care for an older child.

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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

Children are secure and happily settled. They are growing in confidence because the childminder meets their individual needs very well. Children's overall learning and development is positively supported and their progress is closely monitored. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to further improvement. She continues to undertake training in key areas to further enhance her good childcare practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 further improve resources to ensure young babies enjoy a wider range of tactile experiences

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the early years provision

The overall welfare of children is positively safeguarded because the childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to act in their best interests at all times. She demonstrates a good understanding of child protection issues and is well informed about possible signs and symptoms of abuse. She knows the action to take should there be any concerns about a child and ensures parents are informed of her duty to protect children. There is also a clear written procedure to follow should any allegations be made against either herself or members of the household.

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the early years provision

Well documented policies and procedures relating to children's overall safety are effectively put into practice by the childminder who has further improved safety measures since registration. For example, balconies remain out of bounds until This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the childminder is satisfied that all possible risks are minimised. The kitchen has also now been made inaccessible to children. Children use the well organised space in safety and comfort. They explore with confidence and the safe, well cared for range of early learning resources are made easily accessible to them. Older children are reminded with sensitivity about the vulnerability of babies and behave safely and considerately around them. In case of emergency, children are familiar with evacuating the premises, as fire drills are regularly practised with them. As a consequence, children are learning about the benefits of keeping themselves safe.

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the early years provision

Children's safety is further protected as arrangements for their safe arrival and collection are well managed. There is a good awareness of parental responsibility issues. The childminder effectively describes the decisive action she would take should suitability of adults collecting children be called into question. Carefully completed records also closely monitor children's attendance. Other required records are equally well documented and stored securely.

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the early years provision

Children are happy and very well settled. Warm, trusting relationships are soon built and children's personalities, interests and starting points are already well known to the childminder. This is because parents are asked to complete a questionnaire, as part of a comprehensive information gathering process, at the beginning of each placement. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure each child's individual needs are taken into good account when planning routines and activities. This includes giving reassuring support to parents who may be leaving their child in the care of another for the first time. They are invited to visit nearby facilities their children will be attending, adding to the overall picture of how children spend their time with the childminder. The settling in period for children is handled very sensitively. This contributes towards helping them feel valued, safe and secure in their new setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder works effectively to provide a welcoming and inclusive service. The backgrounds and abilities of children are well respected and children are highly valued as individuals. The childminder is able to confidently identify where children may benefit from additional support and works sensitively with parents to promote the best possible outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Very good partnership working with parents also helps ensure children's overall learning and development is a positive, shared experience. Parents receive short, daily written reports on their child's progress, followed up by more comprehensive information in the form of photographic diaries which also contain examples of children's work and observations. Some good partnership working is already established with other settings. For example, if children attend nursery on a part time basis, with parents permission, the childminder ensures all relevant shared information is conveyed to parents in a sensitive way.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to providing a good quality service to children and families. She is able to evaluate her childcare practice and actively seeks ways to improve. This includes seeking the views of parents via specially developed questionnaires. Since registration, she has attended a number of training events and her commitment is ongoing. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children's overall learning and development is well supported. Their combined experiences inside and outside the childminder's home provide them with a stimulating, well-balanced range of play and learning activities. This enables them to make some good progress towards meeting their early learning goals. Children are growing in confidence. This is because the childminder is gently encouraging and shows patience and attentiveness towards them.

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and outcomes for children

The emerging skills and interests of children are well known to the childminder who effectively uses this information to promote their development. For example when a very young child discovers her strong mark making potential, she is encouraged to explore and experiment in a variety of enjoyable ways. The obvious delight of her achievements is warmly shared with the childminder who carefully records and shares this with parents through photographs and the daily diary. When older children show an interest in a particular activity such as singing, the childminder uses good communication skills to encourage their vocabulary and co- ordination. The childminder effectively describes how she plans for each child's next steps which are also outlined in fairly detailed observation and assessment records. Parents are very complimentary about how they are kept informed of their child's progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children make free independent choices about the equipment they would like to play with, both in the lounge and nearby bedroom where they are closely supervised. Whilst resources overall are reasonably diverse, some improvement is needed to ensure young babies enjoy a wider range of tactile experiences when exploring the contents of 'treasure baskets'.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates well how children learn about healthy lifestyles. This is by promoting good self care skills and encouraging parents to provide healthy and nutritious meals. The childminder also keeps herself well informed about healthy eating by attending regular practical workshops with children. Children enjoy daily periods of fresh air and exercise. They make regular visits to the local park where they feed ducks, explore the natural surroundings with curiosity and experience physical exercise using equipment at the nearby children's centre. Visits to a nearby museum also promotes an awareness of how other children live.

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and outcomes for children

Children's overall health is well protected. A clear sickness policy combined with good hygiene practice helps prevent the spread of any infection. Effective practical steps are taken if a child becomes unwell in the care of the childminder and an up to date first aid qualification helps ensure she is well prepared in the event of an accident or emergency. 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 2 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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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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