Farah Akhavan

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY379888 Inspection date 15/02/2010 Inspector Christine Bonnett

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and adult son in Ealing, in the London borough of Ealing. Her husband regularly works with her as an assistant. The whole house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She is registered on the Early Years Register, and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has no pets.

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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

Children make good progress in their learning because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), and how to apply them effectively in her practice. Children are valued and respected as unique individuals and have their needs met with care and kindness by the childminder and her assistant. The childminder understands the benefits to herself and the children of continuously reviewing and developing her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the system of observation and assessment, to identify the child’s stage of development in each area of learning, and to clearly plan the next step in their individual learning journey in order to effectively monitor progress  improve links with children’s schools to share relevant information for continuity and coherence in their learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder gives high priority to safeguarding children. She has a good understanding of child protection matters, including the indicators of abuse, and the procedure for reporting concerns. The home contains no obvious hazards as the childminder carries out risk assessments to identify and minimise potential dangers. She reviews her assessments each time she takes on the care of a new child to ensure they will be safe. The childminder and her assistant both have current fist aid certificates. In addition, all the documentation and records required This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for the efficient management of the setting and the well-being of the children are maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder routinely evaluates her practice and measures its effectiveness by listening to parents' comments and observing the development of the children. She has increased her knowledge of the EYFS to enhance her existing good practice. Furthermore, the childminder recognises the value to the children of attending ongoing training in all childcare related topics. As part of the self-evaluation process, parents are asked to complete written questionnaires to ensure their views are considered.

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the early years provision

Effective partnerships are built with parents because the childminder understands the benefits to the children of working together. A wealth of information is gathered about their child from the ‘All about me’ form that they complete at the beginning of an arrangement to ensure that the childminder is aware of the specific needs of their child. The childminder helps parents establish a routine for their child, which contributes towards ensuring consistency of care, and also helps the child to feel secure within a familiar regime. As well as verbal feedback being given each day, a diary is used to record all the relevant events of the day, such as quantity of feeds, lengths of sleeps and activities enjoyed. This ensures parents are kept well informed about how their child spends their time. The childminder finds out from staff the topics and themes covered by the school nursery that the children attend, and shares general information with them about their well-being.

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the early years provision

However, information about each child’s individual progress and learning journey is not shared, to enable a coherent and consistent approach towards their learning to be established.

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the early years provision

The dedicated playroom within the childminder’s home is well resourced and conducive to learning. Plenty of space is available for children to explore the play materials in comfort and safety. The walls are decorated with appropriate posters of numbers and letters, and also children’s artwork is attractively displayed. The ‘no-shoe’ policy enables younger children to crawl and play on the floor with no obvious risk to their health. A variety of play equipment is set out on the floor, and other items are easily available for children to access independently from storage boxes and shelves.

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the early years provision

Because of the effective partnership with parents, the childminder has a thorough knowledge of the background and needs of each child and treats them all as unique individuals. She enables them to begin to gain understanding of wider society through learning about the different customs and traditions associated with a range of faith festivals, including Eid, Christmas and Diwali.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder gives high priority to encouraging all children to adopt a healthy lifestyle. A varied, balanced diet of healthy and nutritious meals is served that takes account of particular dietary needs. This includes plenty of raw and fresh vegetables, and fruit. Fresh drinking water is readily available. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 helps children try new foods to develop their tastes and enjoy dishes from around the world, including Persian cuisine. She affords children ample time to enjoy their food and works effectively with parents to overcome difficulties they encounter with their children at mealtimes. Older children learn the importance of washing their hands at appropriate times during the day, and identify their own individual towels to use to prevent the risk of cross-infection. Physical development is well promoted. Younger children have great fun rolling on low inflatable apparatus to

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and outcomes for children

develop coordination. Older children regularly benefit from playing in the back garden or the local playground where they are able to climb, slide and swing for exercise and develop muscle strength and self-confidence.

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and outcomes for children

Children are relaxed and content in the childminder’s care. They make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder has a thorough knowledge of the EYFS and the six areas of learning. She observes children as they play and assesses their stage of development in each of the six areas. However, the system does not clearly identify the child’s next step in their unique learning journey and how it will be addressed in order to monitor the progression, and demonstrate this effectively to parents. Babies are able to develop their fundamental skills as they actively explore their surroundings with curiosity and interest. They particularly enjoy feeling the different textures in the treasure basket. The childminder helps children develop skills for the future as they become familiar with numbers through reacting with interest to their favourite counting rhymes. She has plenty of books to promote pre-reading skills, such as

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and outcomes for children

cloth ones for younger children to handle, through to storybooks for older children to enjoy. In addition, the use of electronic books enables children to start to become familiar with information and communication technology.

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and outcomes for children

Children begin to learn how to keep themselves safe indoors and on the roads. They participate in emergency evacuation drills from the home and use ‘Traffic Club’ material to support their understanding of where and how to cross the street. The childminder also talks to older children about ‘stranger danger’ to develop their awareness.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder and her assistant treat children with warmth and affection; consequently, they are well settled and happy in their care. This is evident by the way they relax into the childminder’s arms to be bottle fed, and wake up smiling from their sleep. They enjoy the positive interaction with the childminder as they give and receive plenty of eye contact. Children become familiar with the house rules, which include taking off their shoes and sitting down for meals. They learn to share and take turns and know what is expected of them. As a result, they develop a sense of belonging and grow in self-esteem. 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 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 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 1 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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