Childminder in Barnet

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY389016 Inspection date 27/11/2009 Inspector Jennifer Liverpool

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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 husband and two sons aged six and three years in Friern Barnet in the London borough of Barnet. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor master bedroom is used for childminding purposes. Children access the toilet on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time. There are currently three children in the early year's age range on roll. Of these, two attend part time and the other child only attends before and after school. The childminder takes and collects children from school. The childminder is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are settled and secure in the childminder's care and they receive appropriate support that enables them to make sound progress in their learning and development. Established relationships with parents enable the childminder to acknowledge and value the individuality of each child, thus promoting continuity of care. In the main, children's welfare is appropriately safeguarded as most systems are in place for the safe management of children. Positive partnerships with other people in the life of the children help to promote continuity of care, learning and development. The childminder understands the importance of evaluating her practices and demonstrates the capacity to make continuous improvements for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to the Childcare Register) 10/12/2009

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further?

 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 10/12/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 update the safeguarding policy to include the procedures for allegations This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 made against a member of the household or adults on the premises  minimise the risks to children's safety particularly with regards to the large mirror detached from the wall and the gap in the garden fence  use observation and assessments to identify the next steps in children's learning in order to plan relevant learning experiences for each child and share these records with parents

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the early years provision

The childminder has sound understanding of her responsibilities to protect children from harm. She is aware of the signs and symptoms to look out for and the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care. However, it is not clear in the policy the steps to be taken if allegations are made against the childminder or others on the premises. Children play in a welcoming environment where space is organised to meet their individual needs. Regular risk assessments are conducted to identify and address potential hazards, though currently the process is not consistently applied in some areas of the premises. There are clear procedures in place to help children learn how to keep safe when on outings and also available is a written policy for in the event that a child gets lost. The childminder regularly transport children in a vehicle and appropriate safety equipment is in place to promote their safety.

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the early years provision

The childminder's relationship with parents is friendly and supportive. She obtains most relevant information about each child when they start to ensure that individual routines are in place immediately. However, she has not requested parental written consents for urgent medical treatment. Additionally, whilst parents are encouraged to read and sign the medicine book for confirmation of medication administered to their child, the childminder has not obtained their written permission prior to administering medication. The lack of these written consents is a breach of the welfare requirement. The childminder completes a daily diary for parents sharing information about their child's food intake, sleep and activities, however, the process for sharing information from the observations made on children is not yet in place.

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the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to establish partnerships with the childminders and teachers who work directly with the children at other settings, sharing information about children's care needs. This contributes to children's well-being. The childminder is starting to monitor and evaluate her practices, identifying areas of strengths and some areas for development. Since registration the childminder has attended training courses and reads the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance to keep up to date with the changes. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to improve the outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and secure in the childminder's care. This is because settling arrangements are planned with parents and take account of children's individual needs and support their emotional well-being. Each child's different needs are valued by the childminder as she obtains initial information from parents about children's care routines. Children enjoy being in the company of the childminder and they are beginning to relate well with each other as they have opportunities for group play, such as, singing nursery rhymes and story time sessions. Children have access to visual posters and books that depict people from different backgrounds and the childminder uses these materials to help children become aware of their similarities and differences. Children are helped to stay healthy through playing in a clean environment and they receive simple explanation that helps them to understand and learn the importance of washing hands. Children

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and outcomes for children

receive a range of light nutritious meals and snacks that include fresh fruits, enabling them to develop healthy eating habits.

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and outcomes for children

Children have easy access to toys, which means that they can make independent choices about their play. They are offered an appropriate range of activities each day. Children's language is developing well because the childminder talks to children, introduces new words, read stories and sing songs with them. Younger children communicate by using hand and facial expressions and they are also able to use two to three word sentences. All children enjoy singing 'baa baa black sheep' and 'twinkle little star'. The childminder supports children in developing their imagination through providing an appropriate range of resources and positively interacting with them, helping to express their ideas. Children have some opportunities to become aware of numbers as they handle number books and play with number puzzles. The availability of activity sets and shape sorters means that children are attempting to solve problems as they work out which of the holes that

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is beginning to observe children at play and she keeps a record of their achievements, covering all areas of learning. At present, the childminder is not yet using the assessments to identify the next steps in children's learning and development in order to maximise their skills and abilities. Children have daily opportunities for outdoor play and regular visits to toddler groups mean that they get fresh air and physical play. Children are developing an awareness of how to keep safe through simple discussions about road safety when out on trips. Whilst there are systems in place for assessing the risks to children, a few areas are overlooked, namely the gap in the garden fence. Also, children's access to a large mirror that is not attached to the wall and is in a leaning position in the first floor bedroom used for the privacy of sleeping 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 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 10/12/2009

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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 10/12/2009

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