Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY298597 Inspection date 30/03/2010 Inspector Josephine Geoghegan

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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 2005 and lives in the Walworth area of Southwark with her three adult children and grandson. All of the home is accessible to children, except the bedrooms and there is a communal garden with a children's play area available for supervised outside play. The family pets include one cat. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age group, of these one child is in full time education. No children presently attend who are learning English as an additional language or those who have identified special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder does not provide overnight care or employ an assistant.

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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 needs of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are met well as the childminder knows the children very well; she provides activities that meet their individual learning needs. Children are cared for in a relaxed family atmosphere where they freely engage in conversations with the childminder and her family. They benefit from a well organised programme of activities and outings. Methods of assessing children's progress are in place, although the system of recording children's progress is in its infancy and not all records are dated. The childminder shows the capacity to maintain continuous improvements through self-evaluation and improvements to her childminding service, although systems of self-evaluation are not yet collated to provide an overview relating to all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder implements an appropriate range of policies and procedures to ensure children's welfare is promoted effectively.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of self-evaluation to identify all strengths and any areas for improvement relating to all areas of the childminding service  continue to develop the systems of assessing children's progress and ensure any records are dated to ensure the assessments of children's progress can be tracked effectively.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows a sound understanding of safeguarding children and protecting them from harm. She keeps relevant information, including contact This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 numbers, easily accessible so that she knows what to do if she has concerns regarding children's welfare. In addition, all adults in the home have completed vetting checks regarding their suitability to be with children. The home is secure and the childminder conducts risk assessments, promoting safety.

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the early years provision

Children engage in activities that help them learn about diversity and inclusion is promoted well during play. Children are offered lots of praise for their efforts and achievements and the childminder displays their creative work, promoting their positive self-esteem. Their individual needs are known and catered for, as the childminder works with parents to promote consistency with children's home routines regarding meals, sleep and toileting routines. The childminder has cared for all minded children since they were babies and has established good relationships with the minded children.

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the early years provision

Parents' involvement is promoted through daily feedback regarding the events of the day and all documents are shared appropriately. The childminder is developing links with other settings that minded children attend and relays messages between the school and parents, promoting good communication. The childminder has a range of policies and procedures in place that support the management of her service. She shows an awareness of self-evaluation through a variety of methods, although a formal method of self-evaluation is not yet established. This limits opportunities to identify all strengths and any areas for improvement relating to all areas of her childminding service.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows a commitment to driving improvement as she has met the recommendations raised at the last inspection and has attended relevant training courses, developing her understanding of childcare and education. In addition, she works closely with the local authority childminding coordinator to ensure children's welfare and development is promoted appropriately. The childminder deploys resources well as she ensures time and space are used effectively by providing a well organised learning environment and planning a good range of activities and outings that support children's learning needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to play in a well organised learning environment; they move freely choosing toys and following their own interests, promoting active learning. They are provided with a range of toys, books and equipment that are suitable for their ages and stage of development. Children are supported well by the childminder who provides constant supervision and engages children well in play and meaningful conversations. Although no children presently attend who are learning English as an additional language or those who have identified special educational needs and/or disabilities, the childminder has appropriate policies and procedures in place to ensure any care offered promotes inclusion. High regard is given to promoting children's safety in the home and during outings. The childminder ensures appropriate fire safety equipment is in place and gates are used to prevent unsupervised access to the kitchen and stairs, promoting children's

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and outcomes for children

safety. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's independence is fostered well at meal times as they are able to make choices regarding the foods they wish to eat. They are offered a balanced diet of freshly prepared meals and benefit from plenty of fruit and vegetables in their diet, promoting healthy eating habits. They have constant access to water and are only offered juice at meal times, supporting good dental health practice. Children's good health is promoted in the event of an accident or injury as the childminder holds a first aid qualification and has appropriate policies and documentation in place. The childminder shows an awareness of appropriate hygiene practice during nappy changing routines and supports older children in establishing good routines, such as washing their hands after using the toilet, helping to stop the spread of infection. Play space and resources meet the needs of the children attending and

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and outcomes for children

they are taken on frequent outings, enabling them to engage in a range of outside play activities. Children are well behaved and are supported well by the childminder in learning how to share and take turns, developing their social skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children are offered a good range of activities in the home and outings to local children's groups, parks, museums and the library. They are able to engage in free play and adult led activities which support their learning. The childminder has recently begun to make written assessments of children's progress which show links to the areas of learning and highlight their next learning steps. However, some observations are not dated, limiting the effectiveness of tracking children's progress. In addition, weekly records of daily events are recorded and shared with parents, including details of sleep and meals eaten, helping to keep parents well informed.

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and outcomes for children

Children show good relationships with their peers and the childminder; they show concern for each other and talk and laugh during play. They benefit from a relaxed meal time, promoting their social skills. They learn about cultures and beliefs through planned activities relating to a variety of festivals. Children's language skills are supported well as the childminder is actively involved in children's play, talking and developing their speaking and listening skills as they talk about their activities, such as making cookies. They enjoy looking at books with the childminder and sing familiar songs from memory. Children have good opportunities to be creative while using a range of art, craft and drawing materials. They frequently help to prepare meals and make snacks which they then eat for their tea, such as pizzas, fairy cakes and cookies. This enables them to develop an awareness of their senses and the childminder uses these activities to support

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and outcomes for children

other areas of learning, such as counting the ingredients. Children learn about nature during outings to the local park. They have opportunities to use programmable toys and computer games, developing their awareness of technology. They have opportunities to use puzzles and a range of games that help them learn about numeracy. They use large bricks effectively, developing their problem solving skills. Children discuss the play equipment that they use in the park and local play areas, enabling them to develop their physical skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to learn about safety in the home, for example, while participating in emergency evacuation drills. They learn about expectations of their behaviour with support from the childminder, enabling them to make a positive contribution to their environment. They are offered lots of cuddles and direct This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 supervision, helping them to feel safe and secure. Children are provided with a good range of play experiences that help develop their skills for the future. They adopt healthy lifestyles as they walk to and from the local school and during outings to the local park, enabling them to gain regular fresh air and exercise. 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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