Childminder in Islington

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 133302 Inspection date 16/06/2010 Inspector Siobhan O'Callaghan

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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 1997. She lives with her partner and teenage son in North London in the London Borough of Islington. The home is close to local shops and schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes and one bedroom upstairs is used to provide children with undisturbed sleep. Cloakroom facilities are also available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register to provide care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age group. The childminder walks to local nursery schools to take and collect children. She attends a local toddler group and childminding support group. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding network.

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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 a warm and welcoming environment for children, where due focus is given to meeting their individual needs. Their welfare is promoted through a successful range of policies, procedures and practices which help to keep them safe. Children are making good progress in their learning and development as the childminder organises a broad range of activities and experiences which captures their interest and supports them in their learning. The childminder values working in partnership with parents and all agencies involved in caring for children, which means there is due emphasis on promoting continuity of care. The childminder demonstrates an enthusiastic approach towards developing her practice, she continually updates her knowledge and skills as she attends regular training courses, overall; her current systems for self-evaluation are evolving.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the self-evaluation systems so that the views of children, parents and carers are utilised to assess all aspects of the provision and therefore improve outcomes for children  further develop planning and assessment systems to show how children are making progress in their learning and use assessments to promote their next steps in learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has established comprehensive records, policies and procedures to support the safe and efficient management of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has a secure knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children procedures; she keeps her training within this area up-to-date and shares her safeguarding policy with parents. The childminder has competent systems in place to ensure that all adults living within the household undergo appropriate suitability checks. Children's safety is given high priority as she supervises them well and ensures that all areas of the home environment are safe and secure for them. Risk assessments have also been established for potential hazards that may be encountered on outings. As a result, good procedures are followed to support the safe conduct of trips within both the local and wider community.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises a child-friendly environment. There are ample resources available to meet the children's needs which ensures they are busy and engaged at all times. Both babies and older children move confidently within their environment as they independently access resources and move freely from the indoor to the outdoor play area. Babies are able to play safely, as older children play with smaller resources up at the table, so these are out of reach for little ones. The childminder promotes inclusion through her positive interactions with children alongside the innovative resources she makes available to them. For example, she has created photographic talking books with children so that they can share their experiences with their parents and with each other. Photographs include children's visits to the fire station and singing sessions at the local toddler group. Children have recorded their own voices within the books; this positively reinforces their

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the early years provision

self-esteem and their sense of belonging within the setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to developing her practice; this can be seen in her enthusiastic approach to her own professional development. She is currently working towards a recognised childcare qualification. The childminder works effectively with outside agencies such as her network coordinator and her peers within this group to develop her childminding practices. She has recently used parental questionnaires to get feedback from parents about the services she provides. This system is developing to ensure she fully engages parents and children by getting their views about how they think improvements to the provision can be implemented. Parents receive comprehensive information about the ethos of the setting and the policies and procedures that are followed. Recent questionnaires demonstrate that parents feel happy with the care their children receive. Overall, these positive partnerships fully support children's continuity of

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the early years provision

care and their feeling of security within the provision.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and confident within their environment; and they have established warm and trusting relationships with the childminder. They clearly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 enjoy her positive interaction as she actively engages them within their play. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of promoting play opportunities to support children's overall development. As a result, children are making effective progress towards the early learning goals. Children with additional needs receive valuable support to aid their learning opportunities within the provision. The childminder ensures that close working partnerships exist with parents and outside agencies to support a consistent approach towards children's care and learning. The childminder is currently developing her planning and assessment systems to fully reflect the next steps in learning for all the children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing positive social skills as they learn to play cooperatively. They are supported to share resources and be kind to one another. As a result, when minor disputes occur, children are encouraged to, and successfully work these out. The childminder allows them the time and space to work out their own issues and only gets involved where this is necessary. Children's communication and language is developing as the childminder continually converses with them and encourages them to express themselves. She ensures that they have a good range of books to enjoy along with opportunities to be creative through drawing and painting activities. Children have many opportunities to develop their imaginations and to be creative. For example, children play for extended periods with play dough as they make a pretend cake with candles. This is further developed into role play as they blow out the candles and explain that it is their

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and outcomes for children

birthday. The childminder supports children's problem solving skills as she provides them with challenges to develop their concepts of numbers. For example, when collecting items to make a model the childminder encourages them to count how many pieces they need and then invites them to get two more.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy exploring and learning about their environment. Babies confidently access resources that the childminder has specially selected for them; they play with favourite items such as, a toy phone and mirror, laces, balls and a musical shaker. They demonstrate excellent concentration skills as they play happily for long periods of time. All children have daily opportunities to get fresh air and enjoy outdoor play as the garden is always available and is set up with play experiences. Regular visits to the local park and children's groups give children further opportunities for more energetic play where they can develop their large physical skills through climbing and running pursuits. The childminder offers children healthy menus. They have a nutritional balance of foods which includes fresh fruit and vegetables on a daily basis. As a result, children are supported to develop a positive attitude towards living a healthy lifestyle.

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and outcomes for children

Children's well-being and safety is given due emphasis as they learn the importance of keeping safe through the routine. For example, children are involved in regular emergency evacuation drills which support them to understand the importance of getting out of the house quickly and safely in an emergency. Children have visited the local fire station and have had first hand experiences of seeing how fire engines work to save lives. The childminder promotes good personal hygiene practices. She effectively supports children’s individual care arrangements, for example, she is currently working sensitively with children who are potty training. They are delighted to receive praise and recognition for their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 positive efforts. Overall, children demonstrate that they are very happy and secure within their environment, they enjoy their time with the childminder and

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and outcomes for children

demonstrate that they are confident to make choices and express their wishes. Consequently, children are developing many valuable skills which help to set some secure foundations for their future learning. 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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