Childminder in BarnetOfsted inspection, 25 Feb 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY384838 Inspection date 25/02/2010 Inspector Anneliese Fox-Jones

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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 six years, three years and nine months, in a house in Mill Hill in the London Borough of Barnet. The home is very close to the local school, shops and parks. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes and a bedroom upstairs for undisturbed sleep. The family have two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to provide care for a maximum of three children under eight years, of these no more than one may be in the early years age group and of these no child may be under one year at any one time. The childminder is currently caring for three children in the early years age group, on a part-time basis and at varying times throughout the week. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 making valuable progress in their learning and development as the childminder plans a good range of activities and experiences that fully engage children and takes into account their specific interests. The childminder's commitment to working in partnership with parents and other provisions that children attend, further supports her ability to cater for all children's individual needs and thus promote their continuity of care and overall welfare. The childminder provides a safe and stimulating environment for children, although there are current weaknesses in the management of risk assessments. The childminder demonstrates a positive approach towards developing her practice and thus implementing improvements to her provision. This is her first inspection since registration and she has already implemented many new resources and systems to bring about positive outcomes for children.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 improve the record of risk assessment so that it includes information on who conducted it, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. (Documentation) 12/03/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 update the record of risk assessment to include all assessments for outings and trips This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop assessment records through matching observations to the expectations of the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed a comprehensive range of records, policies and procedures to support her safe and efficient management of her provision within the Early Years Foundation Stage. She ensures that children's safety is given due emphasis through the monitoring of her home environment and some outings that children enjoy. However, some specific requirements for recording risk assessments within the home and the inclusion of an assessment for all trips and outings is not fully met. Nevertheless the environment is child-friendly and supportive and gives children opportunities to become independent and develop a sense of security. Children are further protected because the childminder has an appropriate understanding about safeguarding procedures to ensure that children are monitored and kept safe. All records relating to children's individual health and safety are well-maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to improving her provision which in turn enhances positive outcomes for children. This is her first inspection since registration. She has worked hard to get on board with the requirements, as well as developing many policies and procedures to develop her professional working relationships with parents. She is able to reflect on her practice, and is developing effective self- evaluation processes that involve both children and parents. Children benefit from a well-resourced learning environment where they have opportunities to access a good range of resources which actively promote inclusion and diversity. Thus children are able to develop a positive approach towards valuing their differences. The childminder effectively manages her time which ensures that children receive equal support and attention. She spends time interacting with them and nurtures their learning in a natural and sensitive way, enabling children to be supported to

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the early years provision

explore all experiences available to them.

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the early years provision

The childminder values working in partnership with parents and other providers that children attend. Consequently, children receive continuity of care and learning which has a positive impact on their ability to achieve. It is evident that parents are very happy with the care and education that their children receive. These positive partnerships with parents fully support children's well-being and their feeling of security within the setting. Parents receive regular updates about the children's daily activities and progress. The childminder endeavours to share with them observations and photographs of the children which demonstrates their many aspects of learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides an attractive play environment that offers good learning opportunities for children of differing abilities and ages. Children are happy and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 settled as they are busy engaged in both self-initiated and adult-led pursuits. For example, young children are enthusiastic to explore musical interactive books, where they look at the different pictures and objects and recognise familiar nursery rhymes. The childminder sits on the floor to sensitively support their learning as she encourages them to listen, touch, sing and follow simple actions to the songs. Children are delighted to show off their creativity as they play enthusiastically with the toy kitchen, pots and utensils to make loud noises. The childminder gives children lots of warmth, praise and encourages their communication skills. Thus self-esteem is fully promoted and supports them to feel secure and comfortable in

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans purposeful play and exploration, both in and out doors, with a balance of adult-led and child-led activities that results in them being active learners. Her development of assessments systems and her close working relationships with parents supports her in knowing where children are making progress. However, she has yet to link her assessments to the expectations of the early learning goals and to use these in identifying children's next steps in their learning. Nonetheless children are stimulated and involved in a wide variety of interesting and age-appropriate learning opportunities that help to promote their progress towards the early learning goals. Children have good opportunities to be creative as they enjoy painting and art and craft activities. There are many natural materials, different textures and tastes that are introduced to the children to help develop all their senses. Children's communication, language and literacy skills are

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and outcomes for children

supported well both through interactions with the childminder, as well as through frequent opportunities they have to visit the library, share books, sing songs and make marks on paper. Children have an enjoyable time as the childminder is skilful in following their interests and developing these with them. For example, children are interested in spiders and enthusiastically enjoy looking at a selection of books collected by the childminder. Children have opportunities to match shapes and pictures on puzzles; they are helped to count during their play, such as how many buttons on their jumper and the number of sandwiches on their plate. These activities help to support their mathematical development. Children are able to express themselves creatively and use their imaginations as they participate in dressing up and use various role play resources, such as the toy kitchen. Children are developing knowledge and understanding of the natural world around them as

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and outcomes for children

they take frequent walks out into the community. There is a wide range of resources that enable children to; use simple equipment, turn on or off, make noises, sounds and press buttons for cause and effect.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is successfully promoted through their everyday practices, for example, the childminder teachers them about road safety when they are out walking. All children are involved in practising regular emergency evacuation drills where they learn how to get out of the house quickly and safely. Therefore, their personal safety is monitored through practical experiences and through discussion. Children are supported to adopt healthy habits such as good hygiene practices at appropriate times throughout the day. Children are helped to make healthy choices about what they eat and drink, as they are provided with healthy food options. Children's good health is also promoted through providing children with regular physical play, such as trips to the parks, toddler groups, play centres or play in the garden. Overall, children receive good levels of attention which supports their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

individual care. Children respond well to the positive interaction and have clearly built strong relationships with the childminder. They demonstrate that they are happy and secure within their environment as they approach the childminder for attention and clearly enjoy the cuddles they receive. 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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