Childminder in Islington

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY389434 Inspection date 11/01/2010 Inspector Catherine Greene

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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 08456 404040, 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: 08456 404040 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 2009. She lives with her partner and two children aged nine and four in Holloway in the London borough of Islington. The whole of the childminder’s first floor flat is used for childminding. They also have access to a balcony. The childminder’s premises are accessed via stairs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. When working with an assistant they can jointly care for up to six children in the early years age range with two children under one. There are currently three children on roll in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends a local carer and toddler group/childminders support group. She is a member of an approved 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

The childminder builds secure relationships with the children she cares for and they are treated as very much part of the family. Good quality resources are presented to make them easily accessible and attractive to the children. They particularly support the childminder's equal opportunities policy in reflecting difference and diversity. Children are happy, well settled and growing in confidence because the childminder meets their individual needs very well. She has created a homely environment for children to grow, learn and develop. Very good attention to diversity and inclusion is reflected in the children, who are particularly happy, engaged and well settled. The childminder recognises the children as unique individuals; she takes time to get to know them well and is therefore able to effectively meet their needs. This newly registered childminder is enthusiastic about her role and is committed to seeking ways to support continuous

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

improvements within her provision; this is supported by her clear aim to seek ongoing training and support from the local authority.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance to record children's starting points, plan for their individual interests both indoors and out and fully develop partnership working.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment to providing a good quality service. The overall welfare of children is positively safeguarded because This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the childminder has a strong commitment to act in their best interests at all times. She has attended child protection training and ensures that parents understand her policy. Furthermore, all visitors to the premises are monitored, and the assistant and household members have completed the required suitability checks.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very good approach to providing for children's diversity and her commitment to inclusion enables them to progress well in all areas of their development. Well written policies and procedures relating to children's overall health, safety and welfare are effectively put into practice by the childminder. Good practical safety precautions are taken, such as organising her home to make it safe for the children to explore and move around without risk. Children are learning to play safely in the very well organised space. Written risk assessments are regularly updated. In case of emergency, children are familiar with evacuating the premises and fire drills are regularly practised with them. Children benefit from the childminder's organised approach to her work. Comprehensive policies and procedures support her existing good practice, and routines flow smoothly around the children's needs. The childminder has completed all of the mandatory training

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the early years provision

and has ambition to study towards a recognised childcare qualification. She is developing a sound working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and has used this to introduce a system for observing and monitoring children's progress, which she uses to plan for the next steps in their learning. The system does not yet identify children's progress in all of the six areas of learning but the childminder has already noted this as an area she is keen to develop. The childminder has conducted a self-evaluation of her provision which has identified the strengths and weaknesses in her practice, and she is seeking advice from the local authority to support the areas in which she wants to develop.

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the early years provision

Partnership with parents is given good attention and parents are fully included in the childminder's aims. This allows her to get to know the children well and helps to support children's contributions and future progress. Good daily routines help the children settle and give particular strength to children's outdoor experiences and participation in group and social activities. A clear settling in period gives the childminder time to get to know the children very well. This is followed through by regular exchanges of information and close relationships. As a result of this very good practice, children are very well supported and secure in the childminder's care.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder and settle very well. They comfortably explore the environment and well presented toys whilst being reassured by the childminder who sits close by offering encouragement during play. They are stimulated and play well, demonstrating increasing independence as they build with blocks and play with their favourite toys, such as the farm animals and wooden shape sorter. They also explore a range of books and enjoy creative play. They enjoy and benefit from role play; dressing up and playing 'schools' with the childminder's daughters using the easel. They regularly visit the park, childminders drop in and local sports centre. They are developing strong links with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their local community as they attend the library and participate in the local activities at toddler groups which offer children a range of fun and learning

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and outcomes for children

The childminder knows the children well and speaks knowledgeably about their skills and physical and personal needs. Written observations of the children's achievements, whilst at a developmental stage, are enabling the childminder to chart the children's progress in the six areas of learning. Children are developing increasing confidence in their communication skills through a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. The childminder plans opportunities for them to sing songs and listen to stories, and engages in thoughtful dialogue with the children during their spontaneous play. She has very good communication skills, making the children her priority and giving them the time and space to talk to her, confident that they are being heard with warm and positive responses.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy being able to play in a clean and warm family home. They benefit from the childminder's good understanding of the importance of healthy eating. They are offered fresh, nutritious home made food and experiment with new tastes, learning to try new things from each other. Drinking water is available to them at all times and they are regularly reminded to take a drink. Children are well protected from the risk of cross infection because they have their own personal bedding and towels, and nappy changing routines are hygienically clean. Daily outings are a priority in the daily routine which ensures that children have opportunities for fresh air and exercise each day. They feel safe with the childminder and benefit from lots of close contact and secure relationships with her and her family. The children demonstrate this by being increasingly independent; for example, whilst leading their play and being able to seek support when needed.

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and outcomes for children

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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