Childminder in Greenwich

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 510717 Inspection date 11/02/2010 Inspector Jeannette Waring

p.1

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.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and her adult daughter. They live in a three bedroom house in Abbey Wood. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor of the house and there is an enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The house is located close to local schools, pre-schools, shops and parks, and the childminder collects children from Boxgrove Primary School. The family has no pets.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 1992. She is included on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register and may care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years at any one time, only three of whom may be in the early years age group. There are currently four children on roll, two of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder holds a Diploma in Home- Based Childcare which is an NVQ Level 3 qualification.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy, settled and well cared for in the childminder's comfortable home and there are good arrangements in place to ensure their safety and well- being. Children develop secure and trusting relationships with the childminder who provides a welcoming and inclusive setting, where all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are well supported and make good progress. The childminder routinely evaluates her practice, she identifies strengths and is able to identify most areas for improvement, this enables her to make changes to her practise in order to improve outcomes for children.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 review the organisation of books to make them easily accessible to children so that they are encouraged to browse and enjoy books when they choose to, and ensure that there is a range of books for babies  continue to develop the observation and planning system so that activities based on children's interests have clear next steps linked to the early learning goals.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has robust procedures in place to keep children safe and a secure, including measures to ensure that all adults who have contact with the children are suitable. She has a clear understanding of how to make an appropriate referral if she is worried about a child and a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 comprehensive child protection policy is in place and shared with parents. Records show that the childminder carries out regular risk assessments in her home and for all outings. All hazards in the home are effectively minimised creating a space where children can play and explore in safety. A good range of toys and resources is attractively presented in a toy store room adjacent to the living room which is the main play area. Children are able to access most activities independently. However, the books are currently stored on a high shelf so children cannot access

p.4

the early years provision

them freely and there are only a few books for babies.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder's very positive approach to inclusion ensures that all children are valued and supported according to their needs. She welcomes children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and is proactive in seeking training in order to ensure that she can meet a range of needs. For example, she has recently accessed some Portage training. She also works closely with parents and other professionals so that all children are helped to make good progress in their learning and development.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has always reflected informally on her practice and taken steps to address any gaps in her provision or knowledge, and recommendations made at the last inspection have been fully met. More recently she has used the Ofsted self-evaluation form to carry out a more formal review of her service, she has used this effectively to highlight her strengths and identify areas where she would like to make further improvements. For example, she would like to access more training on planning for children's learning. She has a very positive approach to training and development and regularly accesses training provided by the local authority. In addition she has recently completed a Diploma in Home Based Childcare and obtained A grades for all units. This is an NVQ Level 3 course.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are relaxed and clearly feel at home in the childminder's care. They play purposefully with the activities provided and confidently select resources from the wide range of toys, games and play materials which are attractively arranged in the toy room so that children can see what is available. Because the childminder has provided a safe and secure space for children, they are able to move freely from room to room. This helps them to develop their independence, for example, as they go to the kitchen to fetch a drink or to the toy room to choose an activity. Children are learning how to stay safe, both indoors and when out in the community. For example, they take part in regular fire dills, learn how to cross the road safely and enjoy the road safety activities provided by the Traffic Club.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Good arrangements are in place to promote children's health and well-being. The home is clean and comfortable and the childminder holds a food hygiene certificate. Meals and snacks are healthy and well balanced and children have many opportunities for physical exercise on outings to the park and to local soft play centres, and during the summer months children enjoy free access to the childminder's secure garden. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is developing an observation and planning system which allows her to plan activities based on children's interests. Activities and outings are planned to cover the six areas of learning and the childminder ensures that they are tailored to match children's individual skills and abilities. Records show that all children are making good progress in the six areas although observations are not always directly linked to the expectations of the early learning goals, so as to

p.5

and outcomes for children

identify and bridge any gaps in their learning.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder plays alongside children, offering support, guidance and reassurance. She talks to children and introduces new words and ideas into the play. She has a sympathetic understanding of children who are learning more than one language, recognising their need for time to absorb new words and she uses facial expressions and hand gestures to support her speech and convey meaning to children. Children are able to concentrate at chosen activities and they are learning to solve problems, for example, as they build using construction toys or work out how to set up the toy ironing board for some pretend play.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are well behaved. The childminder sets clear boundaries which children quickly learn. She is kind and patient with children and uses re-direction to good effect with the youngest children. The childminder's welcoming and inclusive approach helps all children to feel valued and they are learning to respect and value each other's differences. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8