Johnston, Susan

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY351755 Inspection date 12/11/2009 Inspector Joanna Scott

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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 2007, and is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and three children aged 18, 13 and six years in a residential road in Chessington, Surrey. The ground floor of the childminder's home is mostly used for childminding. An upstairs bedroom is available for daytime sleep if necessary. The childminder is registered to provide care for five children under eight years at any one time, three of whom may be in the early years age range. She currently has one full-time child in the early years age range on roll. The childminder provides care from Monday to Friday throughout the year. She regularly takes children to local toddler groups, parks and the library.

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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

Children enjoy very warm relationships with the childminder, and are settled and comfortable in her care. They take part in a good mix of activities which help to promote their learning across the early learning goals. The childminder has effective systems to work in partnership with parents which enable her to meet the children's individual needs. Self-evaluation is effective in many areas but has not identified all areas of weakness.

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further?

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

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further?

 attend a training course approved by an English local authority designed to enable the childminder to meet the requirements of registration (Suitable People) (also applies to the compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 05/02/2010

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further?

 make a record of risk assessment which includes all areas of the premises used for childminding, clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 04/12/2009

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further?

 obtain written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future, and ensure systems are robust to request this at the time of children's admission to the provision (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 04/12/2009

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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  ensure that as children's development progresses some form of tracking is implemented to readily identify any gaps in learning, and use this to influence individualised planning and next steps for each child

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the early years provision

The childminder has made an enthusiastic start to her childminding service. She has attended training in areas such as paediatric first aid, and workshops related to understanding and delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. This has developed her skills and knowledge in these areas, and benefits children. However, she has not completed the compulsory childminding training course within six months of registration, which does not meet requirements. The impact of this is minimised because the childminder has not been childminding for a large period of time since registration, and she has proactively sought information which has enabled her to operate. For example, she has prepared a detailed set of written policy documents which outline her role and responsibilities. She has a sound understanding of Child Protection procedures should she have a concern, and has identified this as an area to develop her skills and knowledge further. Records are

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the early years provision

generally well maintained, although her systems for requesting written parental permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment are not robust and consequently are not in place for every child. This does not meet requirements. The impact of this is reduced because the childminder demonstrates she has a sound understanding of emergency procedures.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of risk assessment to ensure children play in an environment where risks are minimised. For example, at home she uses a stair gate to block children's free access to the stairs, and cupboard locks to make items such as cleaning products and knives inaccessible to children. She completes a daily check of her home before children arrive to ensure there are no trip hazards. However, there is no written record of risk assessment of the garden, and the home records lack detail in some cases. This does not meet requirements, but the impact is low because the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of making sure hazards are minimised to protect children. She has created a welcoming and inclusive environment, and has organised her toy storage well so that children can independently access them.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good partnerships with parents. She seeks information about their child's individual needs and development, and has settling in procedures which are effective in creating a foundation for building warm and nurturing relationships with children. She makes regular observations of children as they play and learn. These do not always identify children's next steps, and there is no established system in use yet to highlight any gaps in development. However, they do show that children are progressing well during the first weeks in her care. A daily diary is very effectively used by the childminder and parents to give a total picture of each child's life at home and at the setting. This enables both parties to work together to promote children's learning and meet their needs. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder has already asked parents for feedback on her provision, and parents

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the early years provision

say they value the varied activities and positive experiences children have.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and confident. They respond very well to the childminder's nurturing approach and are interested in the toys and activities accessible to them. The childminder is very attentive. She sits on the floor and plays with the children. She knows what their individual interests are and provides a selection of toys she knows they will be attracted to. This helps them feel welcome and included. Very young children show they feel secure as they respond to her affectionate gestures and explore their environment as they play. The children are at ease and demonstrate that they are comfortable with routines. They are content. The childminder praises the children and is skilled at using techniques such as distraction with young children to promote wanted behaviours. The childminder is observant, she recognises the signs that young children are tired and ensures they eat and sleep when their individual routines require. This means they are

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a good mix of activities inside and out. She plans her days on a weekly basis, and ensures that children experience a mix of activities to promote their learning towards the early learning goals each month. The childminder provides daily opportunities for children to be out and about in the community. They grow in confidence as they mix more widely with other children at toddler groups, and they become aware of the natural world around them as they walk a lot and visit parks. For example, the childminder plans ahead that she will take the children for a walk in the rain as part of her 'weather' theme. Young children are gaining a positive attitude to be outside and active. They enjoy a varied and healthy diet which parents may choose to provide themselves, and the childminder has very clear procedures about eating healthily which help children learn to make good choices.

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and outcomes for children

Children are inquisitive. The childminder uses a silver star finger puppet as a prop and sings 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star'. Young children smile and look at the star. They reach out for it and the childminder helps them to put it onto their finger. They delight in the feel and look of it, and reach up above their head and vocalise, modelling the childminder. She responds to the children, she praises them for their singing. Children enjoy feeling and looking at wooden and plastic animals, the childminder talks to them constantly about what they are doing. She talks about the animal's names, colours, sounds they make. She is very aware that some children have English as an additional language and is alert to recognising this as they babble and chat. As children respond to her she is encouraging. They communicate very well, and she recognises what young children are interested in. She is effectively promoting their early vocalisation and language development.

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and outcomes for children

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 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 3

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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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Qualifications and training) 05/02/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 04/12/2009

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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 (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) (also applies to the compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 04/12/2009

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