Childminder in Lewisham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY318373 Inspection date 17/09/2009 Inspector Marcia Robinson

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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 2006. She lives with her adult son and two teenage children, in the area of Bellingham in the London borough of Lewisham. The whole of the downstairs is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The property is close to local schools, parks and transport services. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding one child in the early years age group and cares for children over eight years. The family does not have any pets.

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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

The childminder provides a friendly and homely environment for all children. Most documentation required to promote the effective and safe management of the setting is in place. The childminder has a good awareness of the issues effecting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and ensures that all children are fully included at the setting. Effective procedures are in place to work with other organisations to promote continuity of care and to meet children's individual needs. The childminder has a growing understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), and plans a suitable range of activities which generally cover the areas of learning. She has some understanding of her areas for development, however, she has not yet implemented robust procedures to monitor and evaluate her practice fully.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 keep children's attendance records up to date (Documentation) 16/10/2009

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further?

 develop a record of risk assessments for the premises and each type of outing, ensuring that identified risks on the premises are minimised (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 16/10/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 make sure that the fire blanket is re-fitted according to the manufacturer's instructions  develop planning and continue to implement observation and assessment systems in order to fully identify learning experiences for each child across all This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 areas of learning and enable parents to incorporate their comments into children’s individual records  ensure that there are more resources and materials available to reflect the diversity and backgrounds of individual children

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the early years provision

Children’s welfare is appropriately safeguarded as the childminder and other household members have had suitable checks completed. The childminder has attended safeguarding training in the past. She demonstrates a suitable understanding of associated issues which is supported by a written safeguarding policy. Visual risk assessments take place on a daily basis for the childminder's home and outings. Children are not allowed to access the kitchen unless they are being supervised by the childminder but with this precaution alone, there still remains some risks such as cleaning products in a low level cupboard are accessible to children. A fire blanket is available but the childminder stated the kitchen had recently been decorated so it was due to be re-fitted according to the manufacturer's instructions. Furthermore, a record of risk assessments for the home, garden and outings have not been carried out by the childminder, which is

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the early years provision

a breach of the specific legal requirements. All documentation required to promote the safe and effective management of the setting is in place and stored appropriately to promote confidentiality. For example, children's details, medication and accident records are readily available. However, important documentation such as the attendance register is not always kept up-to-date to fully support children's safety and well-being.

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the early years provision

All children access play opportunities through the suitable organisation of space, time and resources. The childminder satisfactorily evaluates the care and education she provides. She gains verbal feedback from parents to broaden her view of the service she offers. The childminder demonstrates a suitable vision of how she wants to improve the quality of her provision through her ambition to attend further training to advance her childcare qualifications. Most recommendations from the previous inspection have been positively addressed and implemented. For example, the childminder has further developed her understanding of the complaints procedure, which positively promotes outcomes for children. The childminder strives to ensure inclusive practice, welcoming children of different cultural or religious backgrounds and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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the early years provision

Communication with parents and carers as partners is good. The childminder carries out home visits and obtains all relevant information to ensure she is fully prepared so children are able to settle well into her setting. The childminder keeps them in touch with their children's play and activities via verbal feedback, photographs and examples of their work are taken home. The childminder regularly meets with parents to discuss any changes and new arrangements taking place. Parents are encouraged to say what their children enjoy and are like at home and to describe what they have done over the weekend, so that the childminder can take these into consideration when planning. The childminder is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 beginning to establish secure links with the local nursery, so she can basically complement the themes and topics they cover. This ensures continuity and

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the early years provision

cohesion. Parents are informed about their children's learning and development at collection and they have access to their children's observation books. However, the childminder has not yet fully established systems to incorporate parents’ comments into the profiles to ensure they are fully involved with their child’s education.

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and outcomes for children

Children are clearly happy and very settled in the childminder's care. They are secure and confident in the home and readily approach the childminder for comfort, support and to join in their play. Relationships on all levels are warm, considerate and respectful. The children are quite independent and able to make choices in what they do. They move around the room easily to find toys that they wish to use within their reach. For example, children fetch miniature furniture and play an imaginative game with the childminder, as they are peeking through the windows of the doll's house. The childminder is beginning to seize opportunities to build on children's learning by introducing new vocabulary such as 'pillar' and encouraging children's language development through asking some open-ended questions to promote their critical thinking. Some opportunities are provided for children to develop their creativity through the use of musical instruments and art

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and outcomes for children

and craft materials within the home. A range of books are available for children to look at independently and with the childminder, including some that reflect positive images of the wider world. Trips to places of interest, including the zoo, park and Keston woods for nature walks, nurture children's knowledge of the living world. The childminder has an increasing understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is generally able to interpret what children are learning through their play.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder follows children's interests when deciding on the experiences she makes available. She discusses basic planning of activities, mainly for trips. However, there is no written evidence of this or any formal structure to the process which means that planning does not clearly identify how activities for individual children are linked to the early learning goals. Observations are recorded in individual books, which are available to parents along with photographs of activities and outings. However, systems are not yet sufficiently embedded to fully evidence the effect on children's progress and to ensure all areas of learning receive due attention. A suitable understanding of equality and diversity is demonstrated by the childminder. She promotes this aspect of her work mainly through the range of resources reflecting positive images of diversity. However, the childminder has identified that inclusion is an area she would like to improve

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and outcomes for children

on with regards to linguistic diversity. This is where she is planning to provide more opportunities for children with English as an additional language to develop and use their home language in their play and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are welcomed into clean, well-kept premises and equipment where they have sufficient space to play. They access good opportunities for physical play, including regular visits to a soft play centre, walks in the community and playing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outside in the garden where older children particularly enjoy using the trampoline. Children are beginning to learn about keeping safe as they practise fire drills and discuss road safety. This is combined with close supervision by the childminder. Meals consisting of a healthy packed lunch are provided by parents, for younger children and the childminder ensures that such foods are appropriately stored and served to ensure children's well-being. Older children are provided with a healthy range of light snacks such as sandwiches and fresh fruit. Children are beginning to understand simple health and hygiene practices, including washing their hands

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and outcomes for children

after using the toilet. They do not attend if they are sick which enables the childminder to protect others from illness. All relevant documentation with regard to health, including specific dietary needs and consent forms are in place and up to date. These positively safeguard children’s well-being. Children behave well because the childminder implements clear rules and boundaries consistently. The children know what is expected of them and receive lots of praise and encouragement, helping them to develop a clear sense of right and wrong. 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 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report 16/10/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report 16/10/2009

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