Childminder in Barnet

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY222632 Inspection date 11/03/2010 Inspector Julie Biddle

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

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 registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and children in the London borough of Barnet; four of their grown up children have left home. Children only use the dedicated playroom on the ground floor and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Care is offered in the mornings only.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of three children in the early years age range. When working with an assistant, together they can care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently six children on roll in the early years age range.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children benefit from the welcoming family home, where the friendly care the childminder provides enables them to feel confident and secure. They play happily and make sound progress with their learning and development. The childminder provides an inclusive service and understands children's individual needs. The effective relationships with parents ensure the children's individual needs are met. The childminder understands the importance of continuously improving her practice and has taken steps to learn more about the Early Years Foundation Stage for the benefit of the children.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 further develop knowledge and understanding about the early learning goals to ensure that all areas are delivered through planned, purposeful play, with a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities  further develop systems for the sensitive observational assessment in order to plan for children's individual needs  further develop the use of self-evaluation in order to ensure positive outcomes for children  develop the range of activities to develop children's awareness of the local and wider world

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded because the childminder knows the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and follows local safeguarding board guidelines. She fully understands her responsibility to protect the welfare of the children. The childminder takes necessary steps to promote children's safety. She undertakes risk assessments of her premises and talks to the children about keeping This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 themselves safe, for example, they are gently reminded to take turns as they play on the slide. The space in the childminder's home is used well. Children have access to a satisfactory range of toys, furniture and equipment that are suitable for their age and stage of development. Relevant policies and procedures promote children's good health and welfare. Suitable arrangements are in place to prevent the spread of infection because children to not attend when they are ill. The

p.4

the early years provision

childminder holds a first aid certificate and this helps her to deal appropriately with accidents. The childminder works with an assistant. they work as a team and support each other well, which in turn benefits all the children in their care.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has started to evaluate the service she offers, she has generally met the actions and recommendations set at the last inspection, improving outcomes for children. She has used parents' questionnaires to gather their opinion of the service she provides. In addition she has attended childminding training and has made contact with the Local Authority support worker.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder fosters friendly relationships with parents through daily communication and regular newsletters. She collects essential information in order to meet the individual needs of children. Parents are made to feel welcome in the home and all comment on how happy they are with the childcare provided. The childminder has a positive attitude to working with other professionals to support the children in her care.

p.5

the early years provision

Activities and resources are varied and easily accessible to children so that they can develop their independence skills. The childminder plans interesting activities which shows that she values and respects children's individual interests. The childminder plans opportunities for children to learn about the world in which they live, for example, as they make books to celebrate Passover and learn the story of why Passover is celebrated, children excitedly talk about the food they will eat and the new clothes they will wear. However this knowledge is limited as all the care is home based and there are no opportunities for trips in the local area.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming family environment in which they feel secure to investigate their surroundings. The childminder offers caring support to the children, she joins in with the children's play, sitting at their physical level, which makes for a happy and harmonious atmosphere. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are keen to explore the range of toys the childminder provides. The childminder gives warm and affectionate care, they delight in the hugs and cuddles she gives them and consequently children feel able to express their needs.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder has started to observe the children during their play. However, observations are not yet fully used in order to track the children's progress and plan for their next steps in learning. Children are making satisfactory progress with the childminder's increasing knowledge and understanding of the early learning goals and her caring support. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are developing a healthy lifestyle through appropriate hygiene routines as they wash their hands before and after eating their snack. The childminder is aware of children’s individual dietary needs. Food is provided by parents and the childminder reminds children how eating fruit and vegetables will contribute to their good health. Snack time is organised with all the children sitting together at the table, which makes for a sociable occasion, developing children's social skills.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children have fun as they play in the resourced garden and use resources to help develop them physically, they climb the steps of the slide and laugh as they wizz down.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes positive behaviour through praise and reinforcing good manners. Children are encouraged to respect and show kindness to their friends as they play. The childminder uses books to help children understand changes in their lives, such as a new baby in the home.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder understands the importance of sharing books with young children. They can freely access a range of books and enjoy reading a story together. Children's early language skills are developing as they respond to questions and learn to carefully turn the pages of a book. Children have particular fun as they act out a favourite story about 'Maisy', taking the characters name as they wait for the bus to arrive, props such as an umbrella enhance this play. Children learn how to problem solve as they decided how many cups they will use at Passover. They count and colour the cups. They have fun taking pictures of each other and ask their Mothers to smile for the camera at pick up time.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are developing their hand-eye coordination as they fit puzzles together, they discuss the letters on the puzzle remembering A is for ant. Through play in a kitchen area with cups and saucers and the toaster, children develop their imagination. Children's creative skills are promoted as they colour and glue their Passover books, discussing the style of chair they will use to sit in. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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