Childminder in Merton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY312781 Inspection date 11/02/2010 Inspector Sandra Patricia Jeffrey

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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 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.

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

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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

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and one child aged seven years, in a flat in Mitcham Surrey. The living room and two bedrooms are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed communal garden available for outside play. The family have no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children in the early years age range. The childminder attends local parent/toddler groups and takes children to various local facilities including soft play areas. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 provides a welcoming, inclusive environment and meets the children's needs well, as she recognises the uniqueness of the children in her care. Children are happy and confident in the care of the childminder, who promotes all aspects of the children's welfare successfully and ensures that the children's learning and developmental needs are well supported. Clear policies and procedures are provided for parents, which underpin the childminding service. Strong partnerships with parents have been established, which ensure good communication systems are in place. The childminder strives to continually improve her practice, through attending ongoing training and evaluating her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the outdoor risk assessment records to ensure they are fully effective.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the procedures to follow to safeguard children and knows how to make an appropriate referral if she is worried about a child in her care. Clear information is provided for parents, through well written policies, that highlight the childminder's responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has given good consideration to ensuring that children are kept safe whilst in the home and conducts regular risk assessments of the premises and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the equipment. In addition, risk assessments for outings are also conducted and recorded. These records are however, not fully effective as they do not identify each location visited clearly. Additional records that contribute to children's overall health, safety and well-being, including medical records, are however very well maintained. The childminder has an up-to-date first aid certificate. Fire safety arrangements are suitable and include an emergency escape plan.

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the early years provision

The childminder holds a recognised child care qualification and has 30 years experience of working with children; including as a nanny. She has a wealth of experience of meeting children's needs and organises space and play resources well, which enables children to safely engage in varied and challenging play experiences. In addition to the excellent use and deployment of the toys, the childminder also ensures she is on hand to fully support and guide the children's learning and development. She is clearly dedicated to helping the children progress, taking into account their individual needs and circumstances.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a positive approach towards making improvements to her provision. She has attended training on the Early Years Foundation Stage framework (EYFS) and ensures she keeps up to date with current child care issues. Therefore, the childminder is continuously enhancing the welfare, learning and development opportunities, for children in her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder has carefully organised her home and the toys and resources within it to create an enabling environment for young children to play and learn within. Resources are clean, very well maintained and age and stage appropriate. This results in young children having easy access to a good range and variety of exciting toys and play materials, which strongly support their enjoyment and achievements.

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the early years provision

There are good systems in place to share information with parents, who are also encouraged to look through their children's development records on a regular basis. Good partnerships with other professionals involved in the care of the children have also been established. These close working relationships ensure that parents and other primary carers, are given consistent opportunities to actively be involved in the care and support of individual children. As a result, children are very settled, happy and secure in the care of the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a warm and caring environment which enables them to develop a sense of belonging and trust. Children are happy and feel secure as they respond positively to the individual attention they receive from the childminder. Children feel safe in the childminder's care because she offers them warmth and security and knows them well.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of supporting children's learning and development and ensures that she gathers information from parents in relation to their starting points. This enables her to provide stimulating and fun activities This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 which are based on children's likes and interests. The childminder encourages early language and mathematical skills as she supports the children's development as they play. The children are confident and actively involve the childminder in their play, for example, as they complete a clock puzzle, correctly identifying all the numbers in turn.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder regularly observes the children's achievements and has good systems in place to record assessments of the children's progress, and ensures these are effectively matched to the six areas of learning and the expectations of the early learning goals. The childminder actively encourages parents to access children's observation and assessment records to enable them to see how their children are developing and learning.

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and outcomes for children

They enjoy a varied balance of indoor and outdoor activities, including daily trips out for fresh air and exercise. They visit local toddler groups where they socialise with other children and access additional toys and resources, that help to develop their skills for the future. In addition, regular walks in the local community and visits to local facilities and parks, helps the children to learn about the world around them.

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and outcomes for children

Children are actively encouraged to develop healthy lifestyles and to enjoy a healthy and nutritious diet, in close consultation with parents, which helps them to make good choices about what they eat and drink. Children play and relax in a clean and tidy home, where good hygiene practices are in place further promoting their health and welfare.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder encourages children to form good relationships with each other to make a positive contribution in the setting. She encourages them to respect each other and to be caring and compassionate to each other. Praise is used to excellent effect by the childminder, both during children's play and when sharing information with the parents at the end of the day. This results in building the children's confidence and self-esteem. 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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