Childminder in Lewisham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY276956 Inspection date 13/10/2009 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 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 was registered in 2004. 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 three children under eight at any one time, of whom two may be in the early years age group. There are currently three children on roll, of whom two are in the early years age group. Children are cared for on a sessional basis. The childminder's husband was registered as a childminder in 2009 for two children in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and their four children aged eight, six, four and three years. They live in a house in the London borough of Lewisham, close to shops, parks, a library and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding and suitable for wheelchair users. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have no pets. 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 in the setting, because the childminder creates a safe, secure and stimulating environment. Children are very confident, independent learners, because the childminder enables them to make choices and decisions within familiar routines and a well planned programme of activities. Provision effectively covers all areas of learning so that children make good progress towards the early learning goals. The setting actively promotes inclusion through a wide range of resources and activities reflecting racial and cultural diversity, helping children to feel self-assured and value differences. The childminder is continually improving and has thought about aspects of her childminding service where she can promote better outcomes for children, improving the quality of their play and learning experiences.

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further?

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

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further?

 engage parents in children's learning journey profiles, matching observations to the expectations of the early learning goals and ensure records of assessment are arranged to ensure confidentiality  establish routines for cleaning and hygienic maintenance of resources

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues, protecting children and keeping them safe. Risk assessment is thorough, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 minimising potential hazards, enabling children to move around and explore safely, securely, confidently and independently. Children are learning how to stay safe in a range of situations through the childminder talking to children to raise their awareness, for example, when playing with the sand. Children enjoy inclusive play and learning experiences, because the childminder creates an enabling environment, where all children can easily access the wide variety of toys and play materials. Positive relationships are enabling children to enjoy a sense of belonging and develop close bonds and social skills.

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to further develop her childminding service and is committed to driving improvement through taking advantage of further training opportunities and the guidance of early years advisors. Her husband has recently registered as a childminder and together they are able to provide children with plenty of attention throughout the daily routines and ensure children are learning and thriving in the setting. The home is exceptionally well organised, so that children enjoy a good balance and variety of stimulating indoor and outdoor activities, including sand play and creative activities on the covered veranda, so that they also enjoy plenty of fresh air.

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the early years provision

The childminder works very closely with parents and is attentive to issues of concern to them. The childminder actively engages parents in care matters, such as feeding and toileting, so that children enjoy consistent approaches. However, parents and carers are less engaged in assessment and planning for children's next steps in their learning, so as to enable a complete picture of children's learning journeys towards the early learning goals. Some good written and visual information is displayed, keeping parents well informed of the childminding provision, including the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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and outcomes for children

Children are thoroughly enjoying a wide range and variety of interesting and stimulating activities across all six areas of learning, helping them to make good progress from their starting points. Children are developing well, because the childminder sits with the children, talks to them, asks them questions and participates in their play activities. The childminder gets to know the children well as unique individuals, because she establishes positive relationships through close observation of their interests and learning styles. Records are kept of children's progress include photographs of them taking part in different activities, together with an evaluation of their learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is planning well for individual learning needs, however, all minded children's observations and assessments are held together in one file, opposed to individual profiles for each child. As a result of this arrangement, parents are able to see and read about what other children are doing in the context of the childminding setting, raising confidentiality issues. Parents and carers are not fully engaged in contributing to children's overall progress and development and observations are not linked to the expectations of the early learning goals, so as to ensure there are no gaps in children's learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children feel safe and secure in the setting because routines are consistent and familiar. The childminder is always available to the children, supporting and guiding them. Positive relationships are helping children build their confidence and

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and outcomes for children

independence in making choices and decisions. Children are cuddled and reassured if upset or distressed, and comforted and soothed, so that they are emotionally secure. Resources and equipment are sturdy and safe, however, much has been well used and not regularly or thoroughly cleaned, so as to protect children's health and well-being. Children are adopting good personal hygiene habits through hand washing routines and encouragement to put their hand to their mouth when they cough. They enjoy a good variety of nutritious meals and snacks, plenty of drinks, fresh air and exercise, promoting good health. 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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