Childminder in Lewisham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY295054 Inspection date 18/03/2010 Inspector Pamela Bailey

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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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and their two children aged two and six years in the London Borough of Lewisham, close to parks, schools and public transport links. The childminder lives in a ground floor terrace maisonette. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding with the exception of the master bedroom. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. The childminder is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of an approved childminding network.

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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 generally promotes children's welfare, learning and development effectively, overall. Children play in a mostly safe and secure environment and enjoy their learning, and adequate partnerships have been established with parents. The childminder has started to identify the strengths of her provision and some aspects she would like to develop further. Her plans for the future are likely to bring about some improvements to the provision. However, the childminder has not accurately identified the most significant weaknesses and as a result, the childminder is in breach of several of the specific legal requirements.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop knowledge and understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB) procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against any person living, working, or looking after children at the premises (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 01/04/2010

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further?

 develop a procedure for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 01/04/2010

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further?

 complete an appropriate paediatric first aid course by 18 April 2010 (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare 18/04/2010 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Regsiter)

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further?

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

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further?

 support children's growing independence as they do things for themselves by making fresh drinking water readily available for children to help themselves  improve the assessment arrangements by matching observations to the expectations of the early learning goals in order to plan and support children's next steps in learning, and provide a clear picture of progress to share with parents  assess the risks to children in relation to the low level bolt on the inside of the toilet door and take action to minimise these  improve the range of resources that reflect positive images of different culture, gender and disability and encourage children to talk about similarities and differences and the reasons for these and help children to learn to value aspects of their own and other people's lives.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of the different types and some of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. However, is not fully aware of the procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against any person living, working, or looking after children at the premises as approved by the Local Safeguarding Children's Board. The childminder has taken reasonable steps to eliminate most risks to children inside her home and keeps a record of the risk assessment. However, the low level bolt on the inside of the toilet door is easily accessible to children. This compromises children's safety. The childminder has effective procedures in place to promote children's good health and prevent the spread of infection. However, the childminder has not maintained a current paediatric first aid certificate. All the required records are in place and readily available for inspection.

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the early years provision

The childminder strives to provide a service that is inclusive for all. For the most part, she is successful in ensuring children make satisfactory progress in their learning. However, she does not always make the most of opportunities to reinforce or extend learning so that children are able to apply what they have learnt to other activities. The childminder has begun to observe and make notes of children's learning. However, the assessments are not sufficiently evaluated against the expectations of the early learning goals. As a result, they do not provide a secure basis on which to plan the next steps in children's learning towards the early learning goals, and or a clear picture of progress to share with parents. The childminder provides an adequate range of resources, although few reflect positive images of all aspects of society.

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the early years provision

Generally effective partnerships have been established with parents and the childminder understands her role in working in partnership with others should the need arise. There is a regular exchange of information through daily discussions This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and a diary providing parents with adequate information on their children's well- being and activities. The childminder encourages parents to share what they know about their child and makes suggestions about how to support children's learning at home. However, the childminder is unaware of the procedures to be followed if a parent makes a complaint. This means that parents are not provided with sufficient information about the complaints procedures.

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the early years provision

The childminder is motivated to improve her childminding practice through ongoing training and through seeking the views of parents. She has a clear commitment to continual professional development and makes effective and efficient use of the local resources. For example, the childminder is currently working towards the National Vocational Qualification level 3 in Children's care, learning and development and has attended several training courses provided by the local authority early years department. Feedback received from parents is welcomed by the childminder and this has resulted in the childminder making changes to the premises in order to promote children's health. For example, replacing the carpet with wooden flooring. The childminder has taken steps to tackle the weaknesses identified during the previous inspection. She has obtained the necessary consent from parents for seeking emergency medical advise or treatment and for outings.

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the early years provision

This has improved partnership with parents and promotes children's welfare. However, her self-evaluation is not yet sufficiently robust to ensure that she focuses on the most significant areas in need of development to provide consistently good outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are content and enjoy the time they spend in the childminder's care. They are able to choose whether to play indoors or outdoors throughout most of the session. Children enjoy physical play indoors and the use of swings and a variety of sit and ride toys outside. Their creative and imaginative development is encouraged through exploring music and movement, role play and dressing up.

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and outcomes for children

Children's early communication skills are developing steadily. For example, their vocabulary is extended through singing songs and listening to music but to a lesser degree through discussion. Although the childminder listens to what children have to say, she doesn't always use good questioning techniques that encourages children to think critically, extend their thoughts or ideas. Some areas and resources are labelled to encourage children to notice print, however, children have limited access to the books. This is because they are not arranged so that they are readily available in the learning environment. Children have plenty of opportunities to practise their mark making skills when painting and drawing.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about counting, numbers and more or less through singing a variety of number rhymes. However, have less opportunity to consolidate their learning in practical activities such as water play. For example, counting the number of ducks or frogs in the water or counting the number of small containers of water it takes to fill a larger one. There are also to few opportunities to talk about size, empty or full. Children have some opportunity to problem solve when completing puzzles. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children learn about the environment through visits to local amenities such as the park, library and children's groups. Although the children use the few resources that reflect positive images of different culture, gender and disability in their play, the childminder does not encourage children to talk about similarities and differences, the reasons for these or help children to learn to value aspects of their

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing an awareness of safety issues. They respond well to gentle reminders such as not running inside the home and how to use equipment such as wheeled toys safely. They practise the evacuation procedures which helps them to become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency and road safety when on outings. Children receive healthy snacks and meals. However, with the exception of lunch time, water is not readily available to children throughout the session. 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 4 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 4 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 4 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

 keep and implement a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard the children being cared for from abuse or neglect (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 01/04/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 01/04/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 ensure that all necessary measures are taken to minimise any identified risks (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 01/04/2010

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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 and under the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. 01/04/2010

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