Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY337805 Inspection date 09/11/2009 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 has been registered since 2006. She lives with her husband and four children, two adults and two children aged 21 months and 13 years old. The family live in Peckham in the London Borough of Southwark. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is fully accessible for childminding, including access to the enclosed garden. The property is close to local schools, parks and transport services. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for three children in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 has sufficient knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to ensure that she is generally effective in meeting the needs of children. Despite the fact that planning and observation records require further development, children are appropriately supported to develop skills in all areas of learning. The capacity of the childminder to maintain continuous improvement is good. For instance, she has attended a programme of training, since the last inspection that has help to ensure positive outcomes for children. Furthermore, recommendations set at the previous inspections have been met well.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the systems for planning, observing and assessing children's progress and achievements  continue to develop systems for monitoring and evaluating the quality and effectiveness of the provision  develop effective links with other providers to ensure that what you provide complements the education and care the child receives in other settings  create further opportunities for moving towards independence, for example, have fresh drinking water and mark-making equipment easily accessible for children to help themselves  promote inclusive practice effectively by further promoting diversity and by providing activities and experiences that help children to value their own and other cultures, religions, languages and backgrounds This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has well-organised systems in place to ensure children are kept safe and secure. Regular risk assessments for the home and outings are completed, with all the necessary safety precautions such as a safety gate, socket covers, window locks and a fire blanket in place. She promotes safeguarding well as all adults living in the home are appropriately vetted and anyone visiting the premises is required to sign her visitors book. The childminder demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the possible types and signs of abuse; she is fully aware of the procedures to follow if concerned about children and knows what to do in the event of any allegations against herself or a member of the household. Records are organised, confidentiality and accountability is well maintained. This is complemented with a suitable range of policies and procedures which are shared with parents, thus underpinning the childminding service. The home is very well

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the early years provision

arranged and resources are sorted into sets so that they are easily accessible to children and rotated regularly, ensuring variety and choice.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of children's individual needs and backgrounds; she promotes equality and diversity through foods that are reflective of both her own and the children's background, resources and some activities. The childminder has taken general steps to evaluate her provision in respect of the welfare, learning and development requirements. However, due to gaps in the childminder's knowledge and understanding not all areas have been fully evaluated with reference to the EYFS. However, the childminder is beginning to develop a self- evaluation process to help identify her key strengths and areas for improvement. An example of this is where she reviews the space available to children and as a result has made improvements to the safety of her home and garden. The childminder is showing a commitment towards driving improvement through her ambition to further her training and career with children. She has successfully

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the early years provision

completed various childcare courses, including safeguarding, first aid and documentation, thus furthering her knowledge of childcare and education.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and the level of involvement between adults is good in some areas. For example, the childminder keeps parents informed of children's daily activities and care routines via some useful information displayed on the notice board, daily diaries and feedback at the end of the day. The childminder observes children during play and broadly assesses learning against the development matters. However, links between assessments and plans are not yet secure to individual children's learning. Parents receive comprehensive information about the childminder's written policies and procedures but regular information about their child's progress and opportunities for parents to contribute to their children's next steps in learning is not yet fully established. Although the childminder has started to build relationships with other professionals, she has yet to develop meaningful partnerships in relation to the delivery of the Early Years

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the early years provision

Foundation Stage (EYFS) with other professionals who share the care and education of the children that she minds. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with satisfactory opportunities to help them make steady progress across all areas of learning and development. They generally behave well and respond effectively to praise and guidance. During activities the childminder supports children appropriately. She uses appropriate explanations and questioning techniques to develop children's language and thinking skills. Children are confident in their surroundings and eager to participate in the activities on offer. They enjoy the play dough activity and exploring the shredded paper. They listen carefully to instructions such as 'try pulling it'. They engage in conversation, showing curiosity and asking some questions. The systems to observe children's progress and to plan for children's individual learning needs are not yet well established. However, a planning timetable ensures that children experience some adult-led activities alongside free and self-selected play. Children begin to develop

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and outcomes for children

their social skills because they regularly visit local toddler groups where they have opportunities to mix with other children. Children show interest in books from a young age because they are readily available for them to access independently and enjoy singing and listening to nursery rhymes and songs both in the home and at visits to the local library. A variety of puzzles, games and building blocks introduce children to basic mathematical concepts, including size, shape and colour. For example, the childminder introduces numbers such as 1, 2, 3, when children and babies are manipulating play dough. Children are given opportunities to express themselves creatively as they have access to paint, crayons, pencils and explore shredded paper and play dough. However, these creative resources are not easily accessible to children to further their creativity and independence skills. The childminder interacts appropriately with the children, babies sit happily on her knee

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and outcomes for children

and she speaks gently to them, cuddling and tickling them. Treasure baskets are used to good effect and babies thoroughly enjoy exploring the different items and textures, thus developing their senses and investigation skills. The childminder has a general understanding of children's individual needs in terms of background, language and diversity. However, the steps taken to further promote their understanding of diversity and in helping children to value their own and other's languages or of how to provide opportunities for children to use their home language during play is not well established. So, as a result, their individual learning needs are not met effectively.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe in the setting because the childminder offers warmth and security, along with consistent and familiar routines. Children show they feel safe by confident and independent learning, making choices, helping themselves to toys and readily approaching the childminder if they need help or a cuddle. Steps taken to safeguard children include effective safety arrangements for outings and regular fire evacuation procedures. Children play and move around in a hygienically clean, tidy and well-organised home, promoting their health and welfare. Children are provided with ready cooked meals from home for their lunch. The childminder offers children a range of snacks including fresh fruits and also biscuits on occasions. Although, drinking water is regularly offered throughout the day, it is not easily accessible for children to help themselves, further moving children towards independence. Children make a positive contribution to the setting, such

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 as helping to tidy up and sweep the floor. They are developing skills for the future through support in using a wide range of learning resources. 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 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 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 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: 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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