Childminder in LewishamOfsted inspection, 10 Feb 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY387463 Inspection date 10/02/2010 Inspector Elizabeth Anne Coffey

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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 registered in 2009. She lives with her husband and three children aged 13 years, 10 years and six years old. They live in a three bedroom, second floor flat in Forest Hill, in the London borough of Lewisham. Access to the flat is via a communal lift or stairway. There are no outside play facilities adjacent to the property. Local parks are used on a regular basis to ensure children receive sufficient exercise and fresh air.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years, of whom three may be in the early years age group, and of these no more than one may be under one year at any one time. There are currently four children in the early years age group on roll, who attend for a variety of part-time placements.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a level two childcare qualification and is working towards a level three qualification. She is a member of the Lewisham Childminding Network.

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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 are very happy, settled and confident in the setting because the childminder develops warm and caring relationships with them. They have access to well arranged resources and make choices from a broad range of interesting and stimulating activities, which effectively meet their learning needs. Children are supported well by the childminder valuing the uniqueness of each child, so as to tailor activities to their individual needs. Systems for monitoring and tracking children's progress towards the early learning goals are in place and shared with parents and other settings that the children attend. A record of risk assessment for the premises is in place, however, there is no record of risk assessment for outings. The childminder has begun to reflect and evaluate her childminding service and recognises this as an area for further development in order to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems for reviewing, monitoring and evaluating own practice to help support ongoing improvement  ensure a full risk assessment is carried out for each type of outing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are kept safe and protected because the childminder adopts a sensible and proportionate approach to any concerns as they arise. The childminder has a good understanding of the procedures to be followed to protect children and knows how to make an appropriate referral if she is worried about a child. Children's safety, health and welfare are promoted through effective implementation of childminding policies, which are shared with parents. Children play and move around in a safe environment because the childminder identifies and addresses risks in an effective manner, taking into account their age and stage of development. Appropriate record keeping systems are in place, although the childminder has failed to maintain a record of risk assessment for each type of outing. Communication with parents and carers as partners is good. The two-way flow engages parents well, enabling them to make active contributions, promoting

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the early years provision

the learning and well-being of children in the setting. The childminder is aware of the need to work closely with other partners, such as local schools and nurseries that the children attend.

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the early years provision

The childminder has begun to evaluate her provision and identify targets for improvement and is keen to develop these and to access any further training that will enhance the service she provides. Resources are effectively arranged and organised, creating enabling environments for children to play and learn. The childminder actively promotes equality of opportunity and provides activities and resources that reflect diversity, giving children and their families a sense of belonging and of being valued.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel very safe and secure in the care of the childminder, because they are offered warmth and security, in a relaxed homely environment. Children show they feel safe by confident and independent learning, making choices, helping themselves to toys and books and readily approaching the childminder if they need help or support. Steps taken to safeguard children include comprehensive child protection and fire evacuation procedures, effective use of safety equipment and close, supportive supervision at all times.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a natural affinity with children, anticipating and responding well to their welfare and developmental needs. Her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage helps her plan and provide activities that promote children's learning and development. Children are developing skills for the future through support in using a wide range of learning resources. They move freely around the room choosing from an interesting range of toys, equipment and resources. The childminder is skilful in recognising and supporting children's different learning styles and interests, ensuring that toys and activities are tailored to meet and complement each child's stage of development. The childminder's interaction with the children is enthusiastic and sensitive. She sits on the floor with the children, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 sharing books with them and playing with them and she uses lots of open

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and outcomes for children

questions and praise to help extend their learning and develop their language skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children play happily and practise and acquire new skills with confidence. They enjoy a range of creative activities such as play dough, collage and painting and particularly enjoy baking cookies and other foods with the childminder. Excellent use is made of local resources such as childminder groups and libraries and children enjoy a wealth of creative and stimulating activities at these settings as well as having opportunities to socialise with children of different ages. Children enjoy regular physical exercise on outings to local parks and play areas. They swing, slide and learn to use the fixed playground equipment with skill and dexterity with close supervision and support from the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Linguistic diversity is highly valued and the childminder supports children's emerging communication and literacy skills well. Dual-language books and posters in different languages around the home help to develop children's awareness and understanding of different languages. Children learn to recognise their name in print through use of laminated name labels which they proudly stick on the wall and excitedly find other examples of letters in their name around the room. Comprehensive written observations of the children's attainments, interests and learning styles are supported well with photographic evidence, so parents enjoy very clear, written and visual examples of their children's learning and development. Regular discussions with parents on how their child is progressing and how well the childminding service is meeting their needs take place and the childminder also has plans to introduce parents questionnaires to further ascertain

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and outcomes for children

Children are carefully supported to learn good basic hygiene skills through the use of effective hygiene routines, such as hand washing. Children are offered a good range of healthy and balanced meals and snacks, and drinking water is readily available. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's personal care needs such as sleeping, nappy changing and toilet training are met. The childminder has a clear understanding of the importance of the use of positive strategies to support children's behaviour. She actively encourages children to share and take turns, and she is careful to monitor the children at play to ensure that toys and equipment are used safely and appropriately. 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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