Childminder in Hackney

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY301515 Inspection date 18/11/2009 Inspector Susan Ennis

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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 registered in 2005. She lives with her partner and two children aged three and six years in Stoke Newington in the London Borough of Hackney. The whole of the childminder's flat, apart from the main bedroom, is used for childminding and there are parks nearby for outside play. The premises are accessed via two flights of stairs or by using the available lift. The family has some goldfish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care on each weekday term-time and during school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of two children in the early years age range and is currently minding one child in this age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years and this provision is registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently no children on roll in this age group. Children on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register share the same facilities as those on the Early Years Register.

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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 provides a welcoming and generally safe environment for all children and ensures that all are included and supported. Activities are adapted to enable all children to participate and enjoy their time at the setting. Children make sound progress in their learning and development because the childminder's flexible approach to planning generally meets their individual needs. The childminder has taken some steps to evaluate her practice and is consequently able to make changes to improve the daily care and experiences she offers the children, parents and carers. She demonstrates a growing awareness of the practice required to promote the individual needs of the children and has the capacity to improve further.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the safeguarding policy includes procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation against the provider or a member of their family (Arrangements for Safeguarding Children) (Also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 09/12/2009

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop the use of children's starting points to plan for their further progression  develop further the use of observation, assessment and planning to show children's progress towards the early learning goals and to identify any areas of concern or further challenge  adapt the risk assessment for outings to include each specific outing  develop a system of reflective practice, self-evaluation and informed discussion to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has most policies in place to ensure that all children are protected. For example, she ensures that everyone coming into contact with the children is suitable to do so and is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse. However, as her procedure does not include the action to be taken if an allegation is made against herself or her family, the Early Years Statutory Framework is not fully met. Children move freely around the premises because the childminder takes sound steps to minimise the hazards. For example, she carries out daily visual safety checks and more regular risk assessments of all areas used by the children. However, as risk assessments are not completed for each type of specific outing attended by the children their safety is affected.

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the early years provision

The childminder has implemented some systems to improve her provision such as completing all the actions set at the last inspection and asking parents to complete a questionnaire about the day-to-day running of her setting. However, as limited self-evaluation is currently taking place strengths and areas for improvement are not clearly identified limiting priorities for further development.

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the early years provision

Children's individual development is generally promoted because the childminder has sound procedures and resources in place to support, monitor and evaluate their progress. The available resources are steadily used and the all-inclusive, child-friendly environment is generally conducive to children's learning and play. For example, resources are stored at low-level to encourage children's independence and self-selection and a child-sized table and chairs ensures that they can sit comfortably whilst they play. The childminder demonstrates a sound commitment to sustainability by attending further training and thereby improving the outcomes for the children in her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder soundly updates the parents about their child's welfare and development through daily interaction and by sharing their child's development records with them. Parents are encouraged to share any concerns they may have and are made aware of the childminder's policies and procedures. The childminder demonstrates an awareness of liaising with other agencies and generally works in partnership with them and the parents to benefit the children in her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive understanding of anti-discriminatory practice, enabling her to provide a service which is inclusive for all children and families. She works with the parents to ensure that she understands each child's background, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 needs and beliefs. Children are gently encouraged to recognise differences and respect diversity. This is encouraged by playing with resources such as dolls and books that reflect the diverse society in which we live and talking to the children in her native language of Spanish.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder offers a sound range of opportunities to support the children to make satisfactory progress in the areas of learning and development. Her flexible approach to planning ensures that the children have a choice of what to play with and mini-themed topics give a focus to the activities. For example, whilst looking at the book 'Green eggs and ham' the children develop their number skills by measuring the ingredients when making muffins, they discuss where food comes from encouraging their knowledge and understanding of the world and develop their creative skills by making pretend food from play dough. However, planning does not currently demonstrate how children's next steps are fed into the prepared activities. The childminder is generally aware of where the children are in their development and uses observation and assessment procedures to record their achievements. However, there is limited information regarding children's starting

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and outcomes for children

points and the current systems do not sufficiently show children's progress. Therefore, areas of concern or further challenge are not highlighted and children's development is not optimally promoted.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder generally ensures that there is a sound range of both adult-led and child-initiated activities that are adapted to meet the needs of all the children attending the setting. For example, when threading pasta onto string to make a necklace younger children are encouraged by the childminder placing the string into the pasta tube and asking them to pull it through. This receives squeals of delight as they try to catch the string with their fingers developing their physical skills as they do so. Children's emotional development is encouraged as they attend a variety of age appropriate groups throughout the week enabling them to play alongside their peers and learn about sharing and turn taking. Their understanding of the natural world is developing as they visit the local park to collect conkers and look at leaves turning into their autumn colours. They enjoy walking through the leaves and collecting some to paint later.

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and outcomes for children

Children are clearly settled with the childminder and demonstrate their trust in the relationship by cuddling into the childminder for a reassuring hug when they start to feel tired. Children are encouraged to use appropriate behaviour and are supported by the childminder who, as a positive role model helps them make the right choices. Their health and welfare are positively promoted as the childminder takes steps to minimise the spread of infection and develop children's understanding of healthy eating. They enjoy sharing a banana for snack and are developing their independence skills by starting to feed themselves at lunch time. They are becoming aware of their own safety as they practise road awareness and take part in the monthly emergency fire drill practise. 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 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 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: 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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Arrangements for Safeguarding Children) 09/12/2009

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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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Arrangements for Safeguarding Children) 09/12/2009

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