Childminder in Lewisham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY231163 Inspection date 17/11/2009 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 was registered in 2002. She lives in a four bedroom semi- detached house with her partner and three children aged 9, 14 and 20 years, in the London Borough of Lewisham. The whole of the ground floor of the premises is used for childminding, including a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The property is close to local schools, parks and transport services.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years and is currently caring for three children under five years. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family do not have any pets.

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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

The childminder successfully promotes many aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements within the suitable and inclusive environment. She knows the children well and as a result they are happy, secure and have fun. The partnership with parents contributes significantly to ensuring that the needs of all children are met well, although the childminder has not yet developed links with other providers. The childminder demonstrates much capacity for continuous improvement. She is taking advantage of further training opportunities and has started the process of self-evaluation, so that outcomes for children are good. The childminder has a good awareness of safety issues, although has not kept a record of risk assessment and this is a breach of requirement.

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further?

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

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further?

 keep a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation) 11/12/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop systems for planning activities and observing children, including matching observations to the expectations of the early learning goals and involving parents more as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process  further develop links with others delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage, such as nursery schools. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminding day and home is well organised, so that children have easy access to a good range and variety of resources. Space is utilised generally well; the exception is the garden which is not always used to its full capacity throughout the year. The childminder conducts a risk assessment of her home on a practical level, identifying aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis. She gives much thought to children's safety when walking to and from school, on outings, playing in the home and garden, so that they are protected from dangers and feel safe. However, the childminder has not kept a record of her risk assessment and this is a breach of requirement. The childminder has previously attended safeguarding training and demonstrates a good understanding of her role and responsibility within this area. Consequently, children’s safety and well-being are ensured. Children’s welfare is appropriately safeguarded as the

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the early years provision

childminder and other household members have had suitable checks completed.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive attitude towards the development of her provision. She is committed to improving her knowledge in early years development and learning. For example, the childminder is working towards embarking on a further child care professional qualification. She is also beginning to identify key strengths and some areas for improvement, through using the Ofsted self-evaluation form, so that outcomes for children are monitored. The recommendation raised at the previous inspection has been addressed well. This has a positive impact on children's welfare. A good understanding of equality and diversity is demonstrated by the childminder. She obtains information from parents about children's backgrounds, culture and language and uses this fairly well to support children's individual needs and self identity.

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the early years provision

Good relationships with parents are highly beneficial to the continuity of care that the children receive. Parents are encouraged to settle their children. The childminder has good systems in place for parents to share information about their child's individual needs and contribute to an initial assessment of their child's achievements. This ensures that the childminder has a good knowledge of children's starting points in their learning and development and can build on what the children already know. The childminder observes children during play. She notes what they can do and their next steps but has not yet linked these to the expectations of the early learning goals. Furthermore, the childminder is not yet working fully in partnership with other providers; this would ensure that the educational programme she provides complements what children receive elsewhere, such as the local nursery.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a growing knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which enables her to ensure each of the early learning goals is covered well. She has started to observe and assess the children as they play and this is supported This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 by photographs, as well as displays of the children's art work. Children's progress folders detail what children have done and identify the next steps in their learning, to ensure they are making progress. This information is used by the childminder to offer purposeful play both indoors and outdoors. Children enjoy the range of activities and resources provided. The childminder gets to know them well as she interacts and communicates with them during their play and daily routines. Their learning and development is well supported. They demonstrate increasing independence and confidence when moving around the room and choosing the

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and outcomes for children

things they like to do. Although there is no written evidence, the childminder clearly plans on a daily basis for the children attending. She is able to freely discuss how she follows children's interests, for example, with role play. The childminder provides a play cooker, play food, dolls and related books; the children demonstrate fun and enjoyment with these activities that are of interest to them. Children have regular opportunities to explore creative materials in a combination of adult-led and free play activities. They use stencils, water play, crayons and natural materials such as leaves gathered on walks. Children enjoy a wide range of books both independently and with the childminder. Regular visits to the local parent and toddler groups and meeting up with other childminders encourages children's social skills. A range of activities including identifying shapes, numbers and counting through games, simple cooking and completing jigsaws, encourages

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and outcomes for children

children's mathematical thinking and problem solving skills. Children feel pride in their own achievements. For instance, one child beams with delight when making the connection with the stencilling they are doing to the moon shaped stencilling displayed on the door. Children celebrate some festivals at the parent and toddler group and in the childminder's home, where she is proactive in discussing differences, relating to culture and disabilities. For instance, children's curiosity of why people walk with crutches is positively addressed by the childminder, so children's awareness of the wider world is raised. They learn about the natural environment and living creatures. They talk about the changing seasons and were fascinated when they recently discovered a compost bag full of worms at the end of the garden.

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and outcomes for children

Good quality of care is achieved through the childminder's effective use of policies and procedures in partnership with parents, which supports children's welfare to good effect. Children feel safe in the setting because the childminder offers warmth and security, along with consistent and familiar routines. They show they feel safe as they display confident and independent learning, where they are making choices about what they want to do and readily approach the childminder if they need help or a cuddle. Children learn to keep themselves safe. They are encouraged to follow behaviour rules when they are out, such as walking on the inside of the pavement and 'stop, look and listen' for road safety. This promotes children's social, physical well-being and their skills for the future. Children learn about healthy living through good procedures for hygiene, such as, covering their mouth when sneezing and by excluding children who are ill. They enjoy healthy

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and outcomes for children

home cooked meals which are mainly supplied by their parents; these are hygienically stored, prepared and served by the childminder to ensure children’s well-being. Children can freely access regular drinks of fresh drinking water. A choice of healthy snacks, such as grapes, are provided; with one child exclaiming ' that a crunchy grape'. Children make a positive contribution to the setting, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 whereby they demonstrate their skills in sharing and taking turns, using a 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 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 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 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: 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

 maintain a record of the aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and when and by whom they have been checked (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment) 11/12/2009

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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

 maintain a record of the aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and when and by whom they have been checked (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment) 11/12/2009

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