Childminder in Barnet

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY387641 Inspection date 12/01/2010 Inspector Samantha Smith

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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

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 2009. She lives with her husband two children aged one and nine years in Finchley, within the London Borough of Barnet. The family live in first floor premises within a terraced house. The whole of the premises is used for childminding purposes. Access to the premises is via a low step at the front entrance and a flight of stairs to the first floor.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time and there are currently five children on roll including two in the early years age range. She is registered on the Early Years Register, the Compulsory and Voluntary parts of the Childcare 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's practice is generally sound. Her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework is developing and she demonstrates that she is keen to improve her practice and the quality of her provision. She has started to evaluate her practice, though this is still in the early stages. Most of the welfare requirements are being met and sound partnerships have been established with parents and carers.

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further?

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

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further?

 take reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children both indoors and outdoors are kept to a minimum and maintain a record of risk assessments (Suitable premises, environment & equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 01/02/2010

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further?

 maintain records required for the safe and efficient management of the setting, this refers to the daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (Documentation) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 01/02/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 provide positive images that challenge children's thinking and help them to embrace difference in gender, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, special educational needs and disabilities  provide children with a rich and varied environment that supports their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning and development in all areas

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the early years provision

The childminder manages her provision sufficiently. She has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and knows who to report her concerns to. Most of the required documentation is in place for the safe and efficient running of the provision. With the exception of children's records of attendance, which are currently not kept up to date. This is a breach of a welfare requirement and as a result, she is unable to demonstrate accurately children's attendance. The childminder has also begun to develop systems for risk assessment in her home but she has yet to fully understand how to effectively implement this. As a result children's safety is potentially compromised because she has not effectively identified and addressed all some potential hazards.

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the early years provision

The home is sufficiently organised to meet the needs of the children and some steps have been taken to contribute towards the safety of the home. For example, smoke alarms are in place, there is a fire blanket in place in the kitchen and electrical socket covers are in place on electrical sockets. The childminder has begun to evaluate her practice, demonstrating an awareness of some of her strengths and weaknesses, though she has yet to take any steps to address identified action. She is currently working on improving her knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is keen to improve the quality of her provision.

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the early years provision

Sound partnerships have been established with parents and other EYFS partners. The childminder exchanges information with both the parents and the schools children attend on a regular basis. She is flexible in her approach as she makes time to talk to parents at a time that is convenient for them. Written agreements and the required information have been obtained from parents, including emergency medical consents, contact details and permission to take children on outings.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well settled in the childminder's home. They have established close relationships with the childminder and her children and they enjoy the time they spend playing in her home. The main play space is in the lounge and main bedroom and children are able to move around freely as they pursue their own interests. However, opportunities provided are not sufficiently balanced across all areas of learning and do not provide sufficient challenge for the children attending. For example, when engaged in a painting activity, they are not provided with the appropriate tools to participate fully. Children express the interest in using ICT but their access to this is at times restricted and there are limited opportunities for children to engage in physical activity. In addition the organisation of toys and resources impacts on children's independence because they are unable to further This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children currently attending come from similar backgrounds as the childminder and as a result this is acknowledged and respected, although, it is not fully reflected throughout the provision. Furthermore there are limited opportunities and resources to support children's awareness of other cultures and backgrounds. Consequently children are not gaining an appreciation of themselves or of people from different backgrounds. Some of the daily routines contribute towards children's understanding of hygiene practices and contribute towards their future skills. For example, they are aware of the importance of washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet and they know why. Children are confident in communicating their needs to the childminder and each other as they play together and work out any issues for themselves.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is good and the childminder demonstrates appropriate managements strategies to support her in managing all aspects of their behaviour. Children are learning how to keep themselves in the home through the house rules and boundaries set by the childminder. Also the emergency evacuation practices that they take part in enables them to assume some responsibility for themselves and when they walk home from school they learn about road safety and to be aware of other dangers. 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 (Suitability and Safety of Premies and Equipment) (Records to be kept) 01/02/2010

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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 Premies and Equipment) (Records to be kept) 01/02/2010

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