Childminder in Kingston upon Thames

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY390551 Inspection date 02/11/2009 Inspector Patricia Ann Edward

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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 2009. She lives with her child aged six years and a family friend, in Ham in the Royal borough of Kingston. The childminder uses all areas of the home for childminding, apart from the first floor spare bedroom. There is access to an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register for a maximum of five children under the age of eight years. Of these, three may be within the early years age range, of whom only one may be aged under one year at any one time. She is currently caring for four children of whom three are within the Early Years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder is a qualified early years teacher and holds Early Years Professional status.

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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

The childminder provides effectively for children in her care, ensuring that they are happy and make progress in their learning. She offers an inclusive environment with a selection of organised and free-choice play activities where every child feels valued. She has put in place an observation and planning system, which is still in the early stages as she has not been childminding for long. Her partnership with parents is a strength and consequently, they feel welcome and well informed. The childminder's self-evaluation is in place and it is beginning to enable her to continually improve her practice for the benefit of all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop risk assessments to include all outings in the local community and further afield  promote positive attitudes to diversity through activities and equipment that encourage children to talk about similarities and differences and the reason for these; where necessary help children learn to value aspects of their own and other people's lives  continue to develop the systems of observation, planning and assessment to further support children's learning and development  develop systems to maintain a regular two-way flow of information with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage and parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures children's welfare is promoted well because of her clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and knowledge of where and how to seek advice or report any concerns she may have about their well- being. This is further reinforced by her written safeguarding policy and other written guidance. As a result, children are protected well. Suitable safety equipment is fitted to maintain children's safety around the house. Risk assessments of the childminder's house and garden are carried out and are appropriately reviewed when anything changes. However, formal risk assessments for all outings are not completed. She develops children's understanding of fire safety through practising her emergency evacuation procedures with them; however, details are not recorded. The childminder organises healthy balanced meals daily, which meet their dietary requirements. The childminder reflects on the

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the early years provision

service she offers and is beginning to implement formal self-evaluation systems in order to reassess the service she provides. She provides an inclusive environment, ensuring all resources are accessible to children as appropriate and from which they gain wide learning experiences. However, there are few resources to reflect the wider world and help children learn about diversity.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are promoted well. There is a notice area at the entrance, which displays the registration certificate and general information on aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage. In addition to this, a number of policies and procedures are written up and are available in the childminder's operation file. There are appropriate systems in place to encourage parents to share what they know about their children’s care and the childminder uses the information gained successfully in meeting children’s individual needs. Systems for the sharing of the children’s progress and achievements are good. In addition to verbal discussions being held both before and after sessions of care, photographs, written observations and examples of some of the children’s work are shared with parents. However, systems are not fully in place to encourage parents to be fully involved in children’s learning and development. The childminder endeavours to

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the early years provision

make links with the teacher in the local school, however, firm links have not currently been made. This would secure partnerships so there is a joined up approach to children's full achievement.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop warm and secure relationships with the childminder, who supports the children well and takes care of their individual needs. She demonstrates a secure understanding of how children learn, by providing a well organised and stimulating environment to support them in making their own choices inside and outside. Children are making good progress as the childminder provides valuable support and interaction during activities. A wide range of activities is planned and adapted to suit the age of the children present, enabling all children to take part. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's health and well-being are promoted very well. The children have good opportunities to be active, such as when involved in different outings and physical games. They thoroughly enjoy being outdoors due to the childminder's positive attitude to outdoor play. Children benefit from fresh air and exercise as they visit

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and outcomes for children

parks and have opportunities to run and kick the leaves up with their feet. Further opportunities such as gardening increase their knowledge and understanding of the world. Children have a good understanding of the reasons for personal hygiene and the benefits of healthy eating. Children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe is well promoted through good role modelling, discussion and teaching good practice. Younger children learn how to keep themselves safe when accessing the stairs by confidently crawling down backwards, under the guidance of the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing a good understanding of hygiene as they participate in routine hygiene procedures. Their personal independence is fostered, with the childminder close at hand to offer support as required. The childminder uses everyday opportunities well to help children to learn about keeping safe practices, such as crossing the road appropriately and they benefit from practising fire evacuation procedures. All children are valued and encouraged to express themselves through their play. They learn about the wider world and develop a positive attitude to music from around the world, by listening to African and Polish music. However, they have access to limited resources that reflect positive images of people's similarities that would spark discussions about difference and similarities.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder bases her planning on what children like and enjoy doing and is flexible in her approach so that there is a good balance between adult-led and child-initiated play. She is now beginning to use her observations and assessments of children's individual learning needs to plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child, although this is not yet sufficiently well organised or systematic to be fully effective. Links with other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to children who are being cared for by the childminder are now beginning to be developed so that children's learning can be more consistently supported and extended. 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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