Childminder in Croydon

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY343638 Inspection date 29/01/2010 Inspector Sandra Patricia Jeffrey

p.1

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.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2007. She lives with her eight year old child in a two bedroom house in the London Borough of Croydon. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor and toilet facilities on the first floor. There is also an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a pet guinea pig.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding one child in the early years age range. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming, inclusive environment and meets the children's needs well, as she recognises the uniqueness of the children in her care. Clear policies and procedures are provided for parents, which underpin the childminding service. Strong partnerships with parents have been established, which ensure good communication systems are in place. The childminder strives to continually improve her practice, through attending ongoing training and evaluating her provision.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 improve fire safety precautions by ensuring that there are sufficient smoke alarms on premises. (Documentation) 12/02/2010

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 take appropriate steps to minimise the risks to children in relation to the 'ranch style' banisters on the stairs  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the procedures to follow to safeguard children and knows how to make an appropriate referral if she is worried about a child in her care. Clear information is provided for parents, through well written policies, that highlight the childminder's responsibilities in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 relation to safeguarding children.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has given consideration to ensuring that children are kept safe whilst in the home and conducts regular risk assessments of the premises and the equipment. However, some areas of potential hazard remain, in relation to fire safety precautions and the safety of the banisters on the stairs. In addition, risk assessments for outings have not been recorded as is required. Additional records that contribute to children's overall health, safety and well-being, including medical records, are however well maintained. The childminder has an up-to-date first aid certificate.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a positive approach towards making improvements to her provision and has ensured she has appropriately addressed the recommendation raised during her previous inspection. The childminder is keen to develop and intends to undertake additional training to increase her awareness and understanding of the EYFS.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has carefully organised her home and the toys and resources within it to create an enabling environment for young children to play and learn within. Resources are clean, very well maintained and age and stage appropriate. This results in young children having easy access to a good range and variety of exciting toys and play materials, which strongly support their enjoyment and achievements.

p.5

the early years provision

In addition to excellent use and deployment of the toys, the childminder also ensures she is on hand to fully support and guide the children's learning and development at their own level throughout the day. She is clearly dedicated to helping the children progress, taking into account their individual needs and circumstances.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder establishes close partnerships with parents and others involved in the care of the children and ensures that a good two-way flow of information is shared on a daily basis. Parents are kept up-to-date with their child's activities and progress, through a combination of daily discussions and contact books. Parents also receive a visual collection of achievements and developments with the aid of photographs that are emailed to them.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are making generally good progress in their learning, in relation to their capabilities and starting points. The childminder regularly observes the children's achievements and is developing her system to record assessments of the children's progress, to ensure these are effectively matched to the six areas of learning and the expectations of the early learning goals.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a varied balance of indoor and outdoor activities, including visits to local toddler groups and rhyme time sessions, which enables them to socialise and allows them to have access to a wider variety of toys and play equipment. Children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 also enjoy outings to local children's farms, where they are encouraged to observe the natural environment. For example, they become aware of the changing seasons, as they collect leaves and study the animals.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Good quality interaction with the children and a well organised routine, helps the children feel safe in the setting. The childminder is warm and caring towards the children, which ensures trusting relationships are developed, therefore, enabling children to feel secure in her care. Babies and young children show they feel safe by responding positively to the childminder, putting their arms out to her when she reaches down to pick them up and cuddling into her when having a drink for example.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Babies and young children are content and settled because their individual health, physical and dietary needs are well supported. Children are actively encouraged to develop healthy lifestyles as they have daily opportunities to enjoy the fresh air and local community when visiting the local country park for example. They receive healthy and nutritious meals and snacks including fresh organic fruit and vegetables delivered from local farms and also grown in the garden with the childminder. Children play in a clean and tidy home where good hygiene practices are in place, including suitable nappy changing procedures.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Babies and young children show a sense of security and belonging within the setting. They are confident, settled and happy. With the support of the childminder, they are developing early skills for the future. As they confidently explore their surroundings and become active and inquisitive learners, shredding paper for the guinea pig and learning about recycling and caring for the environment for example. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 3 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8