Paramanathan, Chrishani

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY240694 Inspection date 04/02/2010 Inspector Siobhan O'Callaghan

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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 2003. She works with another registered childminder and minds from her co-childminder's house. The co-childminder's husband and two children, one an adult and one aged 15 years live at the property. The home is located between Belsize Park and Hampstead Heath. There are local shops and schools within easy walking distance. The home comprises of three floors, all areas, apart from two bedrooms, are used for childminding purposes. These include a main playroom and kitchen on the ground floor, a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor and a converted attic playroom on the third floor. There is a front garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register to provide care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group. When working with her co- childminder, together they may care for a maximum of nine children at the same time, of whom no more than six may be in the early years age range. They are currently caring for six children in the early years age group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is working towards a level 2 childcare 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

The childminder and her co-childminder provide a happy, welcoming environment, where due emphasis is given to promoting all aspects of children's welfare. Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals as effective systems are in place to plan for their individualised learning. Excellent partnerships with parents further support the integration of care and learning within this setting. Although there are no children attending with special educational needs and/or disabilities, there are successful partnerships in place to instigate early support; this in turn enables all children to work towards reaching their milestones. The childminder and her co-childminder demonstrate an enthusiastic approach towards developing their practice; they have in place competent systems to continually review the quality of their provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further planning and organisational systems so that children's starting points are gathered when they first arrive at the setting  improve children's opportunities to consistently access a variety of resources independently. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder maintains comprehensive records, policies and procedures to support the safe and efficient management of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Both the childminder and her co-worker take responsibility for maintaining their own documents for each of their own key children. There are robust procedures in place to ensure that children are safeguarded from unvetted adults. Visitors to the home are kept to a minimum during childminding hours and all visitors are expected to sign themselves into the visitor’s book. The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures; she keeps her training within this area up-to-date and she shares her safeguarding policy with parents. Children are cared for in a safe and secure home environment, daily risk assessments are conducted to ensure that hazards to children are minimised. Regular outings with children are also risk assessed to support the safe and

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the early years provision

effective management of these enjoyable pursuits.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to developing her practice; she keeps her knowledge and skills up-to-date through her attendance at regular early years training opportunities. She continually reviews all aspects of the setting with her co- childminder; they have daily discussions about how the day went and how they can further improve what they are doing. The childminder has also developed more formal self-evaluation systems and has taken excellent steps to involve parents in these processes. Consequently, there is a continual drive to instigate improved outcomes for children. Parents express through questionnaires their high satisfaction of the quality of care and learning provided in this setting. Parents' comments include, 'I am very happy with the environment. It is a home dedicated to children, it is bright spacious and colourful' and 'I receive a lot of information about my child's progress. I credit the childminders for helping my child to develop

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the early years provision

so well. The childminders are fantastic at letting us know what is going on and very helpful when there are any issues.' These purposeful partnerships fully contribute towards children's ability to receive consistent care and learning opportunities.

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the early years provision

The childminder and her co-worker organise an inclusive and welcoming environment for children. There are extensive resources available to promote diversity and inclusion and thus support children to develop a positive attitude towards not only their home backgrounds but to those of the wider community. Within the attic playroom children have good independent access to a variety of resources which promote all aspects of their learning. However, this is not consistently promoted within their downstairs playroom, as many of the resources are stored up high and are, therefore, out of reach to children. The childminder effectively promotes children's sense of belonging within the provision as she shares with them their portfolios where they can observe photographs of themselves at play and photos of their parents who have been involved in contributing towards these records. The regular sharing of information positively

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the early years provision

supports children's ability to enjoy and achieve within the setting. 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 happy and confident within their environment. They clearly enjoy the childminder's positive interaction as she actively engages them within the activities provided. The childminder and her co-worker effectively plan a broad range of stimulating and challenging activities for children both indoors and outdoors. Each child is offered an enjoyable and challenging experience across the areas of learning as the childminder plans individually for their key children's next steps. Children's assessment records are continually reviewed and updated within the setting and then again with their parents' contributions. Thus effective systems are in place to monitor all children's progress. However, the childminder is yet to establish systems to gather information about children's starting points prior to them attending the setting. This would ensure individual planning and assessment systems could be implemented as soon as children arrive.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing good language and literacy skills; they enjoy stories with the childminder as they sit close to her on the sofa. She supports them to observe the different characters in the story and praises them when they share their knowledge. Children are continually encouraged to express themselves as they are supported to develop the art of conversation. For example, at lunch time, children chat happily about a variety of things that interest them. The childminder is close by to support and extend their conversations as they enjoy this social experience. Children's knowledge and understanding of the wider world is promoted through a variety of activities and experiences explored within the setting. For example, children are supported to plant seeds in the garden and to monitor their growth. This in turn supports the development of their problem solving skills as they can observe how they have grown and if some plants have grown taller than others.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy the challenges of puzzles as they persevere to complete these tasks. The childminder supports their concept of shape and size as she encourages them to observe the different pieces of the puzzle.

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and outcomes for children

Children have many opportunities to develop their imaginations and creative skills. They enjoy building camps with the childminder as she places a blanket across the roof of their makeshift tent. They are delighted when she brings the puppets over to engage within their imaginary role play scenarios. Children enjoy daily trips within the local community; they walk to local toddler groups, the park and library. Thus there is good provision for them to get fresh air and engage within physical exercise. Children also have successful opportunities to rest comfortably as they all have their own beds and comforters to aid their restful sleep. The childminder in partnership with parents promotes a positive attitude towards eating healthily. Children enjoy eating fresh fruit and drinking milk during their morning snack time. Routines, such as snack and lunch times, are also utilised to teach children about

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and outcomes for children

behaving responsibly. They are extremely helpful as they safely stack chairs away and bring items into the kitchen when they have finished eating. The childminder promotes excellent role models to children as she supports them to respect one another and to value each other's contributions. Documentation to support all aspects of children's individual welfare is in place and is well-maintained. Overall, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children are developing many valuable skills which help to set secure foundations for their future learning. 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 1 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 1 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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