Couper, Samantha Catherine

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY337674 Inspection date 14/01/2010 Inspector Silvia Richardson

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2006. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age group. There are currently five children on roll, of whom two are in the early years age group. Children are cared for before and after school and during school holidays on a sessional basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and their two children ages 14 and 17 years. They live in a town house in the London borough of Bromley, close to shops, parks, library and public transport links. The house is laid out over five floors. Children have use of the ground floor kitchen/diner and first floor lounge, second floor bedroom and bathroom. There is direct access from the kitchen/diner to a secure outside play area. Children have use of the level paved area of the garden. Disability access is limited due to the staircases to each floor. The family have a cat. The childminder 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

Children are very happy and settled because relationships are strong, enabling children to enjoy a real sense of belonging. The childminder creates an inclusive environment, supporting each child individually within the group, enabling them to participate in the full range of activities and enjoy a sense of achievement. The principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage are at the heart of the setting, enabling children to thrive and enjoy positive experiences. The childminder is consistently warm and caring in her approach, organised, efficient and skilled in her management of groups of children and in engaging parents, so far as some aspects of her childminding arrangements are exemplary. The childminder maintains continuous improvement through her commitment to promoting the best possible outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the safeguarding children policy to include procedures should an allegation be made against a member of the household  summerise observations of children's learning across the six areas and match to the expectations of the early learning goals This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are safe and protected as the childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues, knows what to look out for and how to make an appropriate referral if worried about a child. The childminder has a safeguarding children policy which includes ensuring all adult members of the household are vetted and a procedure to follow should an allegation be made against herself. However, the procedure does not include steps to be taken should an allegation be made against a member of the household, ensuring all children are safe and protected in these circumstances. The childminder has a detailed written risk assessment covering all aspects of her childminding services, minimising potential hazards and ensuring children are safe on the premises and when out in the community.

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the early years provision

The childminders skills are in her effective management of children and their activities, so that they enjoy inclusive experiences. Children are well supported so that they experience equality and excellent opportunities to be involved and participate in routines and activities, for example, helping to set the places for tea and taking part in games and outings. The childminder has insight and understanding of both individual and group needs so that these are met exceptionally well. She evaluates her provision through thinking about what she provides for the children, what works well and less well, although is yet to start recording her thoughts and keeping a record, so as to monitor her effectiveness. The childminder demonstrates continuous improvement, taking advantage of training opportunities and putting learning into practice, enhancing overall outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and engagement with them in all aspects of childminding arrangements are exemplary. Parents and carers feel very well informed of children's activities and welfare and praise the childminders excellent links with schools, so that they are able to work effectively with the teachers of their children. Parents and carers are reassured by the childminders professional organisation and feel comfortable and very welcome. The childminder effectively engages parents and carers in all aspects of children's welfare and learning, including expectations of behaviour and school activities. Parents and carers are particularly satisfied with the structure to the day in school holidays and the assortment of different indoor and outdoor activities provided.

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and outcomes for children

Children are enjoying an excellent range of activities across the six areas of learning. They have easy access to resources set out in the lounge and a stimulating programme of indoor and outdoor activities during school holidays. Children especially enjoy playing board and card games, counting, calculating, developing strategies and learning the importance of sharing and fair turns. Group games are particularly effective in contributing to children's enjoyment and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 achievement because the childminder supports children exceptionally well. The childminder is an excellent role-model, always positive and helpful, developing children's sense of belonging and sense of fun, and consistently praising children, so that they feel good about their ideas and decisions. When the childminder leaves the room for short periods, for example to greet a parent collecting a child,

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and outcomes for children

the children are able to continue successfully with their game, with the oldest child emulating the childminders caring and supportive approach, ensuring fair turns and help with strategies. All children have excellent opportunities to make a positive contribution to the setting and for developing skills for the future. They demonstrate good manners and social skills, having clear expectations and consistently caring approaches for acceptable behaviour.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder knows the very children well, through sitting and playing with them and engaging in much lively banter and discussion. She describes consistent progress from children's starting points, although is not formally summarising her observations of children's learning across the six areas and matching these to the expectations of the early learning goals, so has to identify and bridge any gaps in their learning. Children feel safe in the setting because relationships are positive and bonds are strong. They have lots of discussion around house rules for safety and social reasons and have learnt a rhyme about how to stay safe in the event of fire and emergency evacuation of the premises. Children have a good understanding of staying safe in the community and clearly describe how they feel safe, walking to and from school. Children are adopting a healthy lifestyles through a wide range of outdoor activities and have an excellent understanding of healthy

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and outcomes for children

eating. They enjoy their five-a-day fruit and vegetables and the childminder actively encourages children in making health choices at snack and meal times. 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 1 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

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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 1 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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