Childminder in GreenwichOfsted inspection, 3 Feb 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY362540 Inspection date 03/02/2010 Inspector Jeannette Waring

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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 lives with her nine year old daughter. They live in a two bedroom, fourth floor flat and the whole of the flat is used by children, with the living room providing the main play space. Although there is no private garden for outdoor play the childminder does use the communal grounds surrounding the flats. The flat is accessible by both lift and a stairway. The flats are located in a quiet residential area of Blackheath, schools and pre-schools are located close by. Blackheath Village and a main line train station are a ten minute walk away.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2007 and is included on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of four children under the age of eight years, only three of whom may be in the early years age group. There are currently four children in the early years age group on roll, some of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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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 good quality care and education within a warm and welcoming home setting. There are good arrangements in place to keep children safe and secure at all times and to promote their welfare. The excellent partnerships with parents ensure that children's individual needs are met, promote good continuity of care and effectively support children's learning and development. Because the childminder reflects on her practice she is able to adapt and make continuous improvements to her service which help to improve outcomes for the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that parents provide individual written consent for each and every medication provided for their child  review the organisation and storage of children's toys and resources in order to provide a more accessible environment

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the early years provision

The childminder is well organised and keeps careful records for all children, these are well maintained and carefully stored. Most of the required documentation is in place, however, written consent for each and every specific medication is not currently in place. There are good arrangements in place to ensure children are safe and secure at all times. For example, fire drills are practised regularly, careful risk assessments are carried out and all hazards within the home have been effectively minimised. The childminder also has a sound knowledge of local This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safeguarding procedures. To ensure that her knowledge remains up to date she has identified further training in this area as a priority.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an inclusive approach to her work with the children, she has a good knowledge of each child's needs, interests and background. She encourages children to feel proud of their backgrounds and heritage. For example, some children attending her setting speak other languages including Spanish and she has found a Spanish singing time at a local library which she sometimes attends with the children. The childminder has built excellent partnerships with the parents of the children in her care. Letters from some of the parents spoke highly of her. They describe her as having 'excellent empathy with the children', being 'caring, conscientious and dependable' and comment on the fact that she 'keeps home routines' and provides 'good information and feedback'. Parents have good daily information about their children's care and regular information about their progress and the interests they are pursuing at the childminder's. This enables parents to

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the early years provision

build on the interests at home and helps to ensure children's learning is well supported.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is very comfortable and well organised and good use is made of the space. Although there is no private garden the childminder makes good use of the communal areas around her flat and regularly visits parks and toddler groups, ensuring children have good access to outdoor play. Children enjoy playing with the activities and toys provided but the storage of toys is somewhat haphazard and does not always provide easy access to the full range.

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the early years provision

The childminder has begun to use the self-evaluation form to review her practice which has enabled her to identify what she does well and some areas where she would like to make changes. For example, as well as accessing more safeguarding training she would like to obtain more musical instruments, become a network childminder and obtain an NVQ3 in Childcare.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, relaxed, settled and secure. They enjoy their time with the childminder, relate well to her and are confident and sociable with others. The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and she plans a wealth of stimulating activities for children based on the observations she makes. For example, some of the activities provided to support one child's interest in boats were: making a ship out of a large cardboard box adding kitchen roll binoculars and telescopes, visiting the Maritime Museum for a play day making model boats out of recycled materials, buying and sailing some plastic boats and racing them by blowing through straws to provide the breeze. These carefully focused activities, built around individual children's interests helps ensure that are motivated to learn and enjoy the experience of exploring ideas for themselves.

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and outcomes for children

Activities such as regular singing times and story times help to promote language development, and the childminder helps the youngest children's communication This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 skills using songs and stories with animal sounds that children are able to join in with. Art and craft activities are regularly enjoyed by the children and, on the day of inspection, children enjoyed making musical shakers from plastic cups and pasta shapes. Because the childminder had shared her topic with parents, one child proudly brought with him a shaker he had made at home. The childminder supports children's play well, she sits alongside them offering encouragement and praising children's efforts. For example, when one child learning to use scissors asked for some help, the childminder held the paper steady so that the child could make her cut and the child was delighted with her achievement.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes good use of the community facilities in the local area, visiting toddler groups, the library, Greenwich Park and the Maritime Museum with the children. Outdoor play is provided most days and the childminder is able to use the attractive communal grounds on the estate for physical play and to promote children's understanding of the natural world, for example, as they feed the ducks on the pond. When out and about in the community the childminder helps children to learn to be safe on the roads and the children enjoy the activities provided by the Traffic Club which they belong to. Children also learn how to be safe at home, for example, as they take part in the regular fire drills with the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Healthy meals and snacks are provided and children enjoy their sociable snack times when they sit together chatting with the childminder. Good hygiene routines and careful attention to preventing cross-infection, for example, by providing individual bedding, flannels and towels for each child, effectively promotes children's health and well-being. Children also learn about the importance of good personal hygiene, for example, as they wash their hands before eating.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very well behaved. All children are treated with respect and kindness and this helps them to respect themselves and each other. The childminder has clear, simple rules and boundaries which children understand and she uses distraction and re-direction to good effect with the youngest children. Regular routines help children to know what is expected and they enjoy helping to tidy away activities which helps them to take responsibility for their play space. Because the childminder values each child's individual talents and achievements children have good self-esteem, are eager to learn and are making good progress overall. 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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