Childminder in Kingston upon Thames

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 131902 Inspection date 02/02/2010 Inspector Jacqui Lloyd

p.1

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 0300 123 1231, 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.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

T: 0300 123 1231 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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1993. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Chessington, Surrey. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. Sleeping facilities are available on the first floor.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and there are currently nine children on roll, who attend on a part time basis.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local park and other amenities. The childminder has pet cats.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and benefit from her extremely attentive attitude towards each of them. As a result of highly effective observation and assessment, she plans an exciting and challenging range of play and learning opportunities that are tailored to their individual needs. She is very committed to the success of her childminding service and strives to achieve continuous improvement. The excellent partnerships she has developed with other settings are a key strength and help to ensure children's needs are fully understood and met. The childminder succeeds in creating an extremely inclusive environment where each individual child is valued and helped to reach their potential.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 improve the procedures for assessing risks by ensuring risk assessments are regularly reviewed and include appropriate detail about how risks are assessed and managed within home  develop procedures for seeking feedback from parents and involve them in the self-evaluation process

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder is knowledgeable and experienced and fully understands her responsibilities regarding safeguarding issues. To ensure she is up to date with current local safeguarding procedures, she regularly attends training courses. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 is confident about the signs and symptoms of abuse and has made parents aware of her responsibility to protect children from harm.

p.4

the early years provision

Children benefit hugely from the childminder's commitment to ongoing improvement. She is extremely proactive in seeking training opportunities and works hard to ensure she is aware of changes and development in childcare. She makes excellent use of planning and assessment records to monitor children's progress, identify their next steps in learning and plans for these accordingly.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder completes comprehensive risk assessments for all outings and these demonstrate her clear understanding of how to identify and manage risk. Risk assessments for the premises are less detailed and processes for reviewing and updating them are not clear.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder plans and organises the routines carefully around the needs of the children and is very responsive to their interests and ideas. For example, she plans activities that incorporate questions, comments and suggestions made by the children. This helps children to feel valued and they are consequently very keen to take part in activities, which clearly appeal to them.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of some formats to enable her to evaluate her own practice. She does this on an ongoing basis and through discussion it is evident that she is a very reflective practitioner. She is constantly reviewing her own service which helps her identify her own strengths and areas for developments. This also helps her to ensure she is meeting the children's needs in the most effective way and has, at times, led her to seek additional training opportunities. She has not yet involved parents in this process of evaluation as she does not formally seek feedback from them.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder establishes highly effective partnerships with other settings that the children attend, such as nursery and school. This benefits the children hugely as it ensures a very consistent approach and helps her to fully understand and meet their individual needs and support their learning. The childminder uses innovative ways to build these links and helps the children to understand that these partnerships exist. For example, in the children's photograph albums, she includes photos of the nursery and school staff. These can then be looked at and referred to when talking about the settings and building those links.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are exceptionally settled and happy with the childminder. They are regarded as members of her family and made to feel extremely welcome in her home. All children are considered to be individuals and she fully recognises and supports their individual needs. The childminder undertakes ongoing sensitive observation and assessment of the children's needs and uses this information very effectively to plan an exciting and interesting range of activities that are tailored to their individual needs. As a result, children are very curious, motivated to learn and are making excellent progress in their learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are helped to learn how to keep themselves safe through useful and practical activities planned by the childminder. For example, she teaches children about 'stranger danger' and regularly practises the emergency evacuation

p.5

and outcomes for children

procedure with the children. This also helps children to feel safe and secure in her care.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is managed very well because the childminder recognises that whilst it is important to have a consistent approach, each child responds differently to behaviour management strategies depending on their own needs and level of understanding. Consequently, she sets clear boundaries regarding acceptable behaviour and deals sensitively with any issues regarding unwanted behaviour, whilst also praising and encouraging good behaviour.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder is very aware of children's differing needs and has a very kind and sensitive approach. She is committed to providing children with a safe, caring and happy environment in which they can learn and develop at their own pace.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children frequently play outside and benefit from opportunities to play and learn in the fresh air. Their good health is also promoted well by the childminder who encourages children to follow good hygiene routines, such as using anti-bacterial gel to clean children's hands before eating. The childminder maintains clear and detailed records relating to children's health and welfare and ensures these are always shared with parents. This helps to ensure parents are kept fully informed about all aspects relating to children's welfare. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

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

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8