Childminder in Barnet

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY393156 Inspection date 12/02/2010 Inspector Jane Mount

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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 was registered in June 2009 and provides care from another childminders home. The co-childminders family consist of a husband and three children aged 14 years, 12 years and 10 years. The property is situated in New Barnet, Hertfordshire and is close to local amenities such as shops, parks and schools. All areas of the property are included in the registration although the ground floor is mainly used for childminding purposes. Bathroom facilities are situated on the first floor. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outdoor play. The family have one dog, three cats, two rabbits and a gecko as pets.

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Description of the childminding

When working alone the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of which, three may be in the early years age group. She often works with another childminder and both childminder's have equal responsibility for the childminding practice. Also, an assistant sometimes works at the setting. When working with another childminder or assistant the childminder may care for a maximum of nine children under eight years of which six may be in the early years age group. The childminder currently has 10 children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age range and who attend on a flexible basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She is not registered to provide overnight care.

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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 provides very effectively for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Highly effective partnerships with parents ensures children's specific needs are met and children are treated as individuals. Children share warm friendly relationships with the childminder and are happy and secure in her care. Their welfare is safeguarded and children are making good progress in their learning as activities and play experiences are tailored to their individual developmental needs. A system such as self-evaluation, for effectively monitoring the setting is in the process of being implemented.

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further?

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

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further?

 implement the use of a system, such as self-evaluation, to monitor and extend effective practice and to ensure continued improvement.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded and their welfare is fully protected as the childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of how to protect children from harm. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 is clear on the procedures to follow to protect vulnerable children including recording and reporting procedures. Also, child protection publications are readily available along with a child protection policy. All household members and persons in close contact with children have appropriate background checks completed. The childminder is very conscious of safety and ensures children are closely supervised at all times. Written risk assessments along with on-going visual assessments ensures the environment remains safe and potential hazards to children are identified and minimised.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to implementing the EYFS and has developed a secure knowledge and understanding of the framework. This is the childminder's first inspection since registering and she is keen to ensure continued improvement. She is aware of her key strengths and the areas she wishes to develop further with some processes already in place to monitor the effectiveness of her practice. For example, feedback is actively sought from parents. A system of self-evaluation to more closely monitor the childminder's practice is in the process of being implemented to extend effective practice and ensure continued improvement. The childminder understands the importance of professional development. She has a NVQ level 3 which she achieved in 2008 and has completed a childminding registration course which included first aid training. She has plans to undertake further training through attending any relevant short courses or workshops to

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the early years provision

ensure she keeps up-to-date with current childcare practices.

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the early years provision

Documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the setting and to meet the needs of children is in place and overall informative and generally well- organised. The childminder organises her time and resources to ensure children's needs are fully met. For example, resources are easily accessible to children and developmentally appropriate. Also, the daily routine is planned around the needs of individual children to ensure an inclusive and enabling environment is provided. The childminder shows a strong commitment to inclusive practice and takes care to find out about and to meet the needs of the children she cares for. Excellent partnerships with parents contributes significantly to children's well-being. Parents are provided with good quality information. For example, a portfolio is available and parents are fully aware of the settings policies and procedures. Useful information gained from parents at the initial meeting is used by the childminder to

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the early years provision

plan and provide care and learning that meets each child's specific needs. Parents are kept fully informed of their children's care, progress and achievements as information is effectively exchanged on a daily basis. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude and awareness to liaising with other early years settings delivering the EYFS. For example, links are in place with the nursery children attend to ensure continuity in children's care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a secure knowledge of child development and the EYFS and children's learning and development is positively promoted. She uses the framework to effectively plan a broad and varied range of play opportunities and experiences which cover the six areas of learning. She knows the children in her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 care well and she uses this information to effectively support their learning. Observation and assessment systems have been implemented which show children's achievements and progress over time and the childminder uses this information when planning future play experiences for children. Consequently, children's learning needs are identified and catered for and children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. She works in close consultation with her co-childminder when doing this. Children are beginning to learn to be

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and outcomes for children

confident and to have a positive attitude to learning because of the support they receive. Adult-led and child-initiated play are well-balanced with the indoor and outdoor environments used to promote children's play and learning. Children share warm friendly relationships with the childminder and are happy and secure in her care. The childminder effectively supports children in their play asking questions and engaging them in conversation to promote their language and communication skills. For example, they discuss the pictures in books when reading stories. Children's creative development is fully promoted as they are able to participate in a variety of art and craft activities on a regular basis. For example, children enjoy making models of animals out of clay or painting or playing with sand or water. Children's understanding of shape, colour and numbers is encouraged. For example, children's counting skills are promoted when they sing songs such as 'five

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and outcomes for children

current buns'. They learn to recognise colours and shapes when building towers with bricks. Children's personal, social and emotional development is promoted. For example, children develop social skills through playing with their peers and from an early age children are encouraged to make decisions and independent choices in the resources they play with as the environment is organised with toys and play materials at child height and easily accessible. Children's knowledge and understanding of the world is promoted through activities which look at other cultures and countries such as a recent planned multi-cultural week when children participated in a variety of activities. Children's understanding of the environment is increased through activities such as learning about nature and wildlife and children enjoy using magnifying glasses to observe small insects found in the garden. Children learn about the local community. For example, they regularly visit

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and outcomes for children

Effective strategies are implemented by the childminder to promote children's health and to safeguard their welfare. Children's health is protected with highly effective hygiene policies and procedures in place. For example, nappy changing procedures are good and ensure the risk of cross-infection is minimised. Children are learning about the importance of simple personal care routines to keep themselves healthy. For example, they discuss the reasons for washing hands before eating or after playing in the garden to prevent the spread of germs. Children participate in a varied range of activities which contributes to their good health and physical fitness on a daily basis. They are able to spend time in the fresh air and have regular opportunities to go for walks or to play in the garden. Children are learning that exercise can be fun and enjoy visits to a local soft play centre. Children have their dietary needs met well and are provided with a

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and outcomes for children

nutritious and balanced diet. Their dietary requirements are discussed with parents to ensure children's individual dietary needs are catered for and children are developing a good understanding of healthy eating as they are provided with a variety of healthy food choices. Children are learning about healthy eating. For example, at mealtimes they may talk about what they are eating and why it is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 good for their body. They have also enjoyed planting and growing some vegetables and then eating them. Behaviour is dealt with in a positive manner with clear boundaries set which are consistent and appropriate to the individual child's level of understanding. Younger children are encouraged to share and to take turns while older children are learning to negotiate with others and are beginning to understand how their behaviour can have an impact on others. Secure

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and outcomes for children

relationships between the childminder and children enable children to feel safe and valued in the childminding setting. Children's safety is protected and they are developing a good understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, when out walking they know they must hold the childminders hand or the buggy. They discuss road safety and know they must stop at the zebra crossing and wait for the cars to stop before crossing the road. Children learn how to stay safe in an emergency. For example, emergency evacuation procedures are in place with a fire plan which is practised regularly with the 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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