Childminder in Richmond upon Thames

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY385067 Inspection date 20/01/2010 Inspector Catherine Hill

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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 lives with her partner and two children, aged 16 and 14 years, in Hampton, Middlesex. The property is near bus and train routes, local schools, shops and parks. The whole of the downstairs area is used for childminding. Toilet and washing facilities are provided downstairs. Children sleep in two bedrooms upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a cat. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder regularly takes children to different childminding and toddler groups. Children also visit local parks, the

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Description of the childminding

library, and soft play centres. They attend a music and dance session once a week.

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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 very effectively organises her practice to provide children with a warm, welcoming, family environment for their care, learning and play. She respects and values each child as an individual and sensitively supports learning whilst instinctively knowing when to step back and allow children independence in their play. Inclusive practice is positively promoted, with the childminder working in close partnership with parents and others involved in children's care. The childminder is committed to the continuous improvement of her provision and regularly attends training to further her knowledge and skills.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop children's records to clearly show their next steps in learning in all areas based on observations of their current abilities  continue to maintain and develop self-evaluation systems, for example, by using the self-evaluation form to regularly review and judge progress within all areas of practice

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the early years provision

Children play safely and happily within the childminder's care. They are closely supervised and their welfare is safeguarded by the childminder who understands her responsibilities with regard to child protection. She has attended specific training in this area and has a detailed written policy to support her practice. The childminder has excellent relationships with children and treats them all with equal This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 concern. She has a good understanding of their individual needs and ensures a range of age appropriate toys are easily accessible to children at their level. Partnerships with parents and others involved in children's care are very good. There is a daily exchange of both written and verbal information with parents about their children and the childminder also shares all her policies with parents to keep them well informed about her practice. Parents are positive in their praise of

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the early years provision

the childminder who they find is 'very professional' with a 'warm, secure environment' provided for their children whose 'needs are met very well'. The childminder has a strong commitment to further improving her provision and seeks feedback on her practice from parents. She also evaluates her practice through discussion with other childminders and her childminding network coordinator. She has recently started to formalise her self-evaluation process using Ofsted's self- evaluation form, in which she has identified areas for further improvement. Professional development is ongoing and since her last inspection the childminder has attended a number of training courses, for example, relating to the common assessment framework and the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy themselves as they learn through fun, play activities. They turn readily to the childminder for support showing that secure trusting relationships have been formed. They behave very well and the childminder is adept at ensuring children are well occupied and included in play. Children are polite and take responsibility for their environment as they eagerly help tidy toys away before lunch. The childminder works in partnership with parents to meet children's dietary requirements. Children, under supervision, help grate cheese as part of their lunch and develop their social skills as they sit with the childminder to eat their lunch. They competently feed themselves, using age appropriate utensils, and the childminder encourages children to develop their skills by drinking from a cup without a safety lid. Children show an understanding of healthy eating as they confidently talk about strawberries being healthy food. The childminder's policies

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and outcomes for children

and procedures ensure children are protected from illness and infection and individual flannels are used, for example when cleaning hands, to minimise the risk of any cross infection. Children develop an understanding of safety when out with the childminder as she teaches them about road safety. They understand why small size toys are not suitable for very young children and learn how to keep themselves safe by taking part in periodic fire drills with the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder skilfully supports and extends children's learning through play. She asks questions to make children think and uses demonstration to help children learn new skills. Development files are in place for all children and the childminder is tracking children's development within the different learning areas, although their next steps in learning in all areas are not consistently recorded. Children show a good motivation to learn as they actively engage in play. They smile and skip around showing they are totally relaxed and at ease. They are developing an understanding of how things work and press the button on a play till to make the drawer open and they then reinforce their own skills by closing the drawer and repeating the action several times. They show an understanding of number as they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 talk about three following four and as they correctly count the number of balls

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and outcomes for children

'eaten' by a frog during a game of 'Hungry Frogs'. Their speaking and listening skills are very good. They listen attentively to the childminder when she suggests how play can be extended and follow and extend her ideas. For example, she encourages them to make some tea with the tea set. They eagerly get out cups and pretend to pour milk in the cups before offering the cup to another. They show consideration for others as they place some play cake on a plate and offer that around. The childminder encourages children to think for themselves and to become independent learners and children respond positively to her calm, loving support. They are confident and sociable and use their imagination well as they pretend an object is a telephone and pretend to have a conversation using it. Children are able to move freely around the minding environment and demonstrate good control of their bodies as they play with a range of small scale equipment

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and outcomes for children

and as they manoeuvre around others at play. The childminder provides children with a good balance of adult-led and child initiated activities. She regularly takes children out, for example to a music group and playgroups, to help develop their awareness of the wider world. 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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