Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY221043 Inspection date 23/11/2009 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 was registered in 2003. She lives on the Nunhead area of the London Borough of Southwark. A large converted playroom on the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and children also have use of the dining room and ground floor toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder works with an assistant. 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 six children under eight years, of whom three may be in the early years age group when working on her own, and a maximum of six children under eight years, of whom four may be in the early years age group when working with an assistant. There are currently four children in the early years age group on roll.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a level 3 qualification.

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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, settled and confident in the setting because the childminder and her assistant develop warm and caring relationships with them. They have easy access to well arranged resources and make choices from a broad range of interesting and stimulating activities, which effectively meet their learning needs. Children are supported well through the childminder and assistant valuing the uniqueness of each child, so as to tailor activities to their individual needs. Systems for monitoring and tracking children's progress towards the early learning goals are in place and the childminder recognises this as an area for further development. The childminder's commitment to review and reflect on her service and to develop self-assessment strategies provides a sound basis for her capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems for reviewing, monitoring and evaluating own practice to help support ongoing improvement  continue to develop systems for monitoring and tracking children's progress towards the early learning goals  ensure that the attendance register accurately records the actual hours that children attend and the names of the adults caring for them This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are kept safe and protected because the childminder adopts a sensible and proportionate approach to any concerns as they arise. The childminder has a good understanding of the procedures to be followed to protect children and knows how to make an appropriate referral if she is worried about a child. Children's safety, health and welfare are promoted through effective implementation of childminding policies, which are shared with parents. Children play and move around in a safe environment because the childminder identifies and addresses risks in an effective manner. Appropriate record keeping systems are in place, although the attendance register does not accurately record the actual hours that children attend or the names of the adults looking after them. Communication with parents and carers as partners is good. The two-way flow engages parents well, enabling them to make active contributions, promoting the

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the early years provision

learning and well-being of children in the setting. The childminder works closely with other partners, such as local schools, as and when the need arises.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a natural affinity with children, anticipating and responding well to their welfare and development needs. Her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage helps her plan and provide a curriculum that promotes children's learning and development. The childminder has begun to evaluate her provision and has begun to identify targets for improvement. She recognises this as an area for further development. Resources are very effectively arranged and organised, creating enabling environments for children to play and learn. Children are confident and independent learners because they have easy access to suitable equipment and a wide range and variety of challenging toys and play materials. The childminder actively promotes equality of opportunity and provides activities and resources that reflect diversity, giving children and their families a sense of belonging and of being valued.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel very safe and secure in the care of the childminder and her assistant, because they are offered warmth and security, along with consistent and familiar routines. Children show they feel safe by confident and independent learning, making choices, helping themselves to toys and readily approaching the childminder or her assistant if they need help or a cuddle. Steps taken to safeguard children include effective child protection and fire evacuation procedures and close, supportive supervision.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing skills for the future through support in using a wide range of learning resources. They move freely between the playroom and dining room independently choosing from a wide range of toys, equipment and resources. The childminder is skilful in recognising and supporting children's different learning styles and interests, ensuring that toys and activities are tailored to meet and complement each child's stage of development. The childminder's interaction with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the children is enthusiastic and sensitive and she uses lots of open questions and praise to help extend their learning and develop their language skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children happily explore and experiment, using a wide range of different materials and resources, in a safe, supportive and caring environment, helping them to confidently practise and acquire new skills. They eagerly participate in painting and craft activities and enjoy cooking and baking cakes with the childminder and her assistant. Their independence is fostered through day to day activities such as buttering their own toast and hanging their coats up on the low level hooks. The childminder has a clear understanding of the importance of the use of positive strategies to support children's behaviour. She actively encourages children to share and take turns, and she is careful to monitor the children at play to ensure that toys and equipment are used safely and appropriately. Children enjoy an excellent balance of indoor and outdoor activities, and frequent visits to places of interest such as parks and playgrounds.

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and outcomes for children

Written observations of the children's attainments, interests and learning styles are recorded through photographic and written evidence. These are shared with parents and carers so that they are kept informed of their children's progress to date. However, observations are not used to clearly identify the next steps in children's learning or to plan for individual children's learning needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children are carefully supported to learn good basic hygiene skills through the use of effective hygiene routines, such as hand washing. Children are offered a good range of healthy and balanced meals and snacks, and drinking water is readily available. They sit with the childminder and her assistant in a family group at the dining room table for meals and develop their social skills as they talk and eat together. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's personal care needs such as sleeping, nappy changing and toilet training are met. Parent feedback is very positive with parents stating that the childminder is "considerate and caring and there for the whole family" and that they are kept "consulted on all aspects of the care and wellbeing of their child". 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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