Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY320644 Inspection date 12/11/2009 Inspector Elizabeth Anne Coffey

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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 2006. She lives with one of her children, aged ten years, in a house in Peckham. Her partner, who lives at another address acts as her assistant. Access to the house is at ground level directly from the front yard. Children use a playroom on the first floor which is accessed via an internal flights of stairs. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a secure garden for outdoor play.

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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 three children under eight years when working on her own and, when working with an assistant, a maximum of five children under eight years. She may also care for one child under eight overnight. Currently, the childminder is minding three children, all of whom are in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a level three childcare qualification (NNEB). 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming environment. Measures are in place to ensure children's safety in the home, for example, the premises are secure and safety equipment, such as stair gates, are used effectively. Risk assessments for the home and garden have been completed. However, risk assessments have not been completed for outings. This compromises children's safety. Most required policies and procedures are in place. However, the childminder has failed to notify Ofsted of a significant event relating to the health of a minded child. Furthermore, there is no system in place to record which adults are caring for the children at any one time. There is a satisfactory range of resources available and a range of play and learning opportunities are provided. Systems for observation and assessment are in place, and plans for individual children's next steps are linked to the early learning goals. Self evaluation systems and a commitment by the childminder to

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

develop the childminding service indicate a capacity to drive continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure there is a system in place for notifying Ofsted of any serious accident, illness or injury to any child whilst in their care (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 28/11/2009

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further?

 conduct a full risk assessment for each type of outing 28/11/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 taking account of the nature of each outing, and review it before embarking on each specific outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare)

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further?

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

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further?

 devise and implement a system to record the names of the adults caring for the children at how adult:child ratios are met  further develop systems for reviewing, monitoring and evaluating own practice to help support ongoing improvement

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the early years provision

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection issues. She knows the signs a child might exhibit that could raise concerns, and what action to take in such a situation. However, the childminder is in breach of some regulations, as she has not informed Ofsted of a significant event in relation to the health of a minded child. Although the childminder carries out safety checks to identify and minimise hazards in the home, she does not conduct risk assessments for outings, to identify potential dangers and how to address them to ensure children’s safety at all times.

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the early years provision

Toys and resources are deployed effectively to enable children to self-select items of their choice. Furniture is arranged to allow children freedom to move about easily as they play and engage in activities. The childminder has begun to familiarise herself with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, and is keen to implement it effectively in her practice. She collates observations and assessments of children's achievements and uses these to plan effectively for children's next steps.

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the early years provision

The childminder has begun to use the Ofsted self-evaluation to reflect on her practice and to enable her to identify areas to develop in order to improve her provision for the benefit of the children and recognises this as an area for further development. She makes appropriate use of her assistant to provide additional adult support for the children. However, there is no system in place to record what adults are caring for the children at any specific time.

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the early years provision

The childminder works effectively in partnership with parents and other partners. She respects and values the uniqueness of each child in her care by ensuring that she finds out their individual welfare needs. She keeps parents well informed about how their child has spent the day to ensure that children receive consistent care. The childminder encourages children to learn about diversity within society through the provision of multicultural resources, such as books and music recordings and by visiting local community facilities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy playing with the resources available, such as toy cars, action figures, construction sets, and interactive toys. They also enjoy listening to song and nursery rhyme recordings from around the world as they play. Children use the kitchen for messy activities, such as painting, play dough and collage making. They enjoy experimenting with the different textures and materials, and are guided and supported in their activities by the childminder and her assistant. Opportunities to promote children's learning and development through routine tasks are maximised. For example, children count to twelve, with guidance from the childminder, as they climb the stairs to the first floor playroom. The childminder observes the children at play and uses these observations to assess their individual stage of development and to plan for next steps in their learning, in line with the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Steps to promote children's health include the provision healthy snacks that take account of individual dietary needs. Fresh fruit and drinking water is readily available. Children use the garden and local parks and playgrounds for physical play. Children also learn about washing their hands at appropriate times to help prevent the spread of infection.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder encourages children to learn to keep themselves safe indoors and out. For example, she teaches them how to cross the road safely and explains to them why they should not walk around with scissors, in case they injure themselves. The childminder and her assistant supervise the children well and ensure that they are never left in the care of un-vetted adults.

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and outcomes for children

Feedback from parents by way of references and thank-you letters show significant satisfaction with the service provided. Parents comment that their child is "able to develop as their own person" and that they are "content that their child is well taken care of" and that the childminder keeps them updated "on feeding, sleeping patterns and play".

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled with the childminder, and she provides a caring environment where their basic needs, including sleep, feeding and toileting are met. The childminder gives warm and affectionate care, and consequently, children feel able to express their needs. They are relaxed and content in her care and consequently, develop a sense of self-esteem and confidence. 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 Register section of the report 28/11/2009

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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 Register section of the report 28/11/2009

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