Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY280412 Inspection date 07/09/2009 Inspector Josephine Geoghegan

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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 and lives in the Walworth area of Southwark with her husband and their five children, two of whom are under eight years. All of the home is accessible to children and there is a communal garden with a children's play area for supervised outside play. The childminder's husband works with her as an assistant. The childminder does not provide overnight care. The family do not have any pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder is registered to care for two children under eight years while working alone and a total of four children under eight years when working with an assistant. The childminder is registered on the early years register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the childcare register. There is currently one child on roll who is in the early years age range. The childminder offers care from Monday to Friday up to 3:30pm daily.

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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's needs are met effectively as the childminder provides a good educational programme that relates to children's individual needs. Children's welfare is safeguarded well through appropriate use of documentation and implementation of policies and procedures that help keep them safe. Positive steps are taken to promote all areas of children's welfare, learning and development and evaluate the service offered. The capacity to maintain continuous improvement is strong as the childminder actively seeks the views of parents and shows a commitment to extending her knowledge of childcare and education.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the systems of regularly assessing children's progress and planning for their next learning steps in all areas of learning.  develop the systems of self evaluation to provide an overview of the childminding service

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the early years provision

Safeguarding children's welfare is promoted effectively as the childminder ensures she is kept up to date with current information, for example, by attending safeguarding and child protection courses with the local authority every few years. Written policies and procedures are in place along with relevant contact details, enabling prompt action to be taken if the childminder is worried a child is being abused. In addition, the childminder shows a clear understanding of her responsibilities to ensure all adults in the household complete suitability checks. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Inclusive practice is promoted well as the childminder works closely with parents to support children who are learning English as an additional language. Good systems are in place to ensure any care offered to children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities promotes inclusion as the childminder shows a clear

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the early years provision

understanding of working with parents and other professionals to ensure children's needs are identified. Children have good opportunities to learn about diversity through use of resources, planned activities and outings. Self-evaluation is reliable as the childminder shows a good understanding of evaluating the educational programme, assessing risks and her own personal development, although these systems of self evaluation are not collated to provide an overview of the childminding service, limiting the effectiveness of identifying all strengths and weaknesses. Good use is made of time and space, enabling children to have access to a variety of activities that support their needs appropriately and promote their welfare, learning and development requirements. The childminder shows a clear vision regarding aspects of improvement for her childminding service and her own personal development. For example, all recommendations raised at the last

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the early years provision

inspection have been met, in respect of developing working partnerships with parents regarding documentation, and improving the organisation of resources. In addition, the childminder has attended many relevant training courses and is extending her knowledge of childcare by attending a course to gain a recognised childcare qualification. Parents are kept well informed about all aspects of their children's care and development as the childminder liaises with them on a daily basis. An 'all about me' document is completed when new children begin, enabling parents to share information about children's individual needs and their developmental starting points and needs. In addition, the childminder records information about children's care such as details of meals, sleep and toileting along with activities and outings on a weekly activity sheet that is available to parents to add their comments. Parents also have access to a broad range of policies and

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the early years provision

procedures devised by the childminder that support the management of her service. Parents report how their children are confident in the childminders care, that they can move freely in the home, join in family life and enjoy the activities and outings offered.

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and outcomes for children

Children are supported well as the childminder shows a sound understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). All required documentation is in place and shared with parents appropriately, helping to safeguard children's welfare. Children benefit from close adult support during play and all aspects of care, for example, the childminder is attentive and responds well to child initiated play while encouraging children's independence and self care skills. Children's learning and development is promoted thorough a good range of activities and outings that are appropriate for their age and abilities. Systems of assessing children's progress are being established as the childminder makes observations which are linked to the areas of learning of the EYFS, although this system is in its infancy. Children's next learning steps are identified and their progress is shared with parents. Children's good health and well being is promoted

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and outcomes for children

because the childminder avidly promotes healthy eating. For example, supporting This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children in eating five types of fruit or vegetables a day and ensuring they have constant access to fresh drinking water. In addition, the childminder organises the time children spend with her well, enabling them to participate in regular outings to parks and children's play areas to gain fresh air and exercise. Children benefit from lots of praise and encouragement offered by the childminder for their efforts and achievements. They respond well to the childminder as she gently reminds them of expectations of their behaviour, such as sitting down while eating. In addition, they are offered lots of cuddles and support, developing secure relationships. Children are able to move freely and safely and use the floor space for play as the childminder ensures the play space is uncluttered and well

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and outcomes for children

organised. Children choose resources that are easily accessible and stored at low level in labelled baskets and containers. They have access to all areas of the home where the childminder shows high regard for ensuring their safety is promoted well; children do not have unsupervised access to the stairs or the kitchen and good systems are in place to ensure any safety concerns are identified. All required fire safety equipment is in place and frequently checked along with risk assessments of the home.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a good range of outings in the local community, enabling them to learn about their environment, nature and extend their knowledge and understanding of the world. Children enjoy using electronic toys, exploring musical sounds and repeating letters and sounds with the childminder, developing their language skills. Their awareness of cultures and beliefs is enhanced through participation in activities relating to festivals and use of books, toys and dressing up clothes that reflect a variety of cultures. Children show curiosity and develop their independence as they select toys and books, showing interest as they concentrate well before choosing other toys. They develop a sense of responsibility as they help the childminder put toys away before lunch. Children make purposeful marks while drawing and develop their creative skills as they use a range of art materials, developing their free creative expression. Children develop their

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and outcomes for children

awareness of number while counting during activities with the childminder. They have good opportunities to develop their problem solving skills as they use a range of toys purposefully, such as construction sets and bead rails. Children have good opportunities to develop their physical control while using the climbing apparatus in the communal garden. They show a good sense of security as they respond well to the childminder who offers lots of cuddles and constant supervision, helping them to feel safe. In addition, children show good relationships with the childminders family, who engage them in conversations, play and family life, such as eating meals together, enabling children to develop a sense of belonging. 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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