Childminder in Barnet

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY397273 Inspection date 01/02/2010 Inspector Helen Maria Steven

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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 October 2009. She lives with her partner and two year old son in Colindale, the London Borough of Barnet. The two bed roomed home is on the sixth floor, accessed via stairs and lifts. Children have access to the whole flat except for one bedroom. There is no outside area, but children are taken regularly to local parks and playgrounds.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care of a maximum of five children under the age of eight years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the Compulsory and Voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently two children on roll in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds an NVQ3 qualification in childcare. She is fluent in Czech as well as English.

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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 enjoy their time in the warm and friendly environment where they make choices about their play. Children’s individual needs and their development are well promoted to enable them to make good progress in all areas of their learning and development. This is the first inspection since registration and the childminder has implemented the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) well, she is aware that some areas require further development. Although she does not formally evaluate her service, she is committed to improving her practice in order to enhance the care that children receive.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve children's health and safety by carrying out regular fire drills and reviewing the contents of the fire aid box  continue to develop the system in place to observe and monitor children's progress in order to support the planning of challenging opportunities in all areas of learning  develop the systems of self-evaluation to monitor all aspects of the setting and build on already good practice in order to promote continuous improvement of the provision and outcomes for children

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a secure knowledge of the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and all adults in the home have criminal This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 record bureau checks. The childminder undertakes risk assessments for each type of outing and her premises in order to reduce hazards, although she has yet to undertake an emergency evacuation drill. The space in the childminder's home is used well and toddlers can move between the hallway, bedroom and living room with ease as they self-select from a good range of toys and resources suitable for their age and stage of development. Required documentation and relevant policies and procedures are in place that promotes children's good health and welfare. Good arrangements are in place to prevent the spread of infection, for example, children do not attend when they are ill and nappy changing procedures are

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the early years provision

appropriate. The childminder holds a first aid certificate which enables her to deal appropriately with accident; however the contents of the first aid box are limited, which may hinder treatment. She is aware of children’s health needs and has received appropriate training to administer more invasive medical procedures should the need arise.

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the early years provision

The childminder has yet to formally evaluate her childminding service to ensure that her many strengths are well recorded and areas requiring further improvement are recognised. She holds an NVQ3 childcare qualification and demonstrates a willingness to continue to increase her childcare knowledge. The childminder provides a service that is inclusive for all children; they are supported well to help them make good progress in their development. This is her first inspection since registration; she has implemented systems to observe and monitor children’s progress by using photos and observations. However, these processes are still in their infancy and do not routinely link to the planning of learning experiences. The childminder reports that she has a good relationship with parents, and obtains useful information from them at the start of the placement and during verbal exchanges at the beginning and end of the day. The childminder

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the early years provision

has begun to forge links with other settings that the children attend in order to share relevant information with each other to provide children with continuity.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a good range of activities both inside and outside the home which support children’s development in all areas of learning to ensure they are making good progress. Children are well settled and happy and enjoy the company of the childminder and their peers. Minded children engage younger friends in their activities, talking calmly and offering praise and encouragement. Children’s independence is supported as they chose what resources they wish to do each day from the low level shelving. Toddlers enjoy the freedom of moving around the home between rooms. Children have opportunities to problem solve as they attempt to complete puzzles and are supported with counting and colour recognition as the childminder commentates during play. Children are introduced to the pleasure of books as they share stories with the childminder as well as look at books independently. They have opportunities to mark make, but do not always

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and outcomes for children

have the opportunity to do this for a purpose, for example, by labelling their own pictures. Children enjoy identifying words that start with specific letters, this is supported by the childminder but she has yet to introduce them to phonics knowledge and skills. Children have access to electronic toys and photos show This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them exploring nature by exploring soil and building snowmen. Children’s interest in the world and planets are supported by the childminder’s resources, they share their knowledge of the planets with each other and are encouraged by the childminder to research further by using available books. Children relish observing their community by looking from the window. They watch the diggers on a nearby construction site and point out passing planes and view the patterns formed by a formal communal garden below. Trips to local parks and drop in groups enhance

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and outcomes for children

children’s physical development and enable them to develop an awareness of their local community. The childminder observes children’s play to decide what activities they are interested in to support their learning; however the system is not yet fully embedded to effectively map children’s progress and to influence planning, but is an area of development the childminder is aware that needs addressing.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing a good understanding of healthy lifestyles. They are offered nutritious meals and healthy snacks, for example, raisins and fresh fruit. They enjoy fresh air and exercise as they go regularly to the local parks and playgrounds. Children are encouraged in learning to share and take turns. Minded children behave well and show respect and concern for younger children. They develop an understanding of keeping themselves safe as the childminder reminds them that they need to pick up some of the toys so that they don’t trip and children inform visitors that they need to walk on the gravel paths but can run on the grass in case they fall. 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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