Childminder in Merton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY244350 Inspection date 24/05/2010 Inspector Patricia Ann Edward

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 10 in the London borough of Merton. All areas of the childminder's home are used for childminding purposes, except the master bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children on the Early Years Register on a full and part-time basis. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and runs a local parent/toddler group. The family has two cats, a rabbit and a guinea pig.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is able to take and collect children from local schools. She holds National Vocational Qualification level three in childcare.

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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 are very secure and happy in a warm, welcoming environment where they make good progress in their learning and development in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She organises her home well to provide a free flow environment for children to play and explore. Their individual needs are clearly met because the childminder builds good relationships with parents. The childminder is able to recognise her own strengths and areas for development as she has implemented an effective self-evaluation system to monitor her service.

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further?

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

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further?

 increase opportunities for parents to be more involved in their children's learning and development  continue to establish an effective two-way flow of information about the children’s individual learning and development with other early years providers.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a excellent understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection and keeping children safe. She is confident in her knowledge and understanding of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 potential concerns and in her ability to respond appropriately by following the current guidance of the local Safeguarding Children Board. She has a good range of supporting policies that include all the relevant information and referral numbers to enable her to refer any concerns she may have about a child's welfare. The childminder is committed to providing a high level of care and education. She is well qualified and regularly attends training to update her knowledge and expertise and thus ensure the best possible outcomes for the children. The childminder is well organised and manages daily routines effectively to accommodate the

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the early years provision

individual needs of the children attending. Equality of opportunity and anti- discriminatory practice is actively promoted. Children have access to a number of resources and activities to enable them to learn about the wider world.

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the early years provision

The childminder's premises are suitable for purpose and she strives to maintain a stimulating and supportive environment. Resources are excellently organised both inside and outside to develop children's interests. They are also suitable and safe. The childminder is very much aware that children learn through play and the day is planned to ensure that children have fun and enjoy the time they spend with her. She encourages them to choose activities for themselves and then also provides adult-initiated play to further enhance children's learning and development. The childminder has a clear vision for the future of her provision and the capacity to maintain continuous improvement is good. Reflective practice and the use of self- evaluation ensure that areas for development are identified and are being addressed.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are strong. Ongoing communication means that parents are well informed about the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements, areas of learning and the progress their children are making. Parents, however, are not currently involved in identifying or supporting children through the next steps. The childminder has developed an informative portfolio which she shares with all parents and which helps them to make an informed choice about the service they select. Parents indicate that they are very happy with the care their children receive

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and secure and enjoy their time in the childminder’s care. She has created a comfortable, welcoming and child-centred environment where they are supported and encouraged to learn and develop. She talks to and reassures children throughout the day and works to a well planned but flexible routine so children feel secure and have a sense of belonging. The childminder has good knowledge of child development and provides a wide range of experiences and learning activities to stimulate and challenge children's knowledge and understanding. This enables her to support children's personal, social, physical and intellectual development. Children enjoy time spent outdoors in the fresh air, both in the garden or when on outings. Their understanding of how to keep themselves safe is promoted very well as they learn how to use equipment safely, talk about stranger danger and road safety. They also take part in regular fire drills. Children

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and outcomes for children

demonstrate their feelings of security and express them as they play confidently This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and give out lots of spontaneous cuddles throughout their play time.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop self-esteem as the childminder offers praise and encouragement at all times. They develop positive attitudes to learning because the childminder shows an interest in everything they do. She is always close at hand with praise for every achievement, no matter how small. Their time with the childminder is filled with laughter and smiles as they participate in fun activities such as shaving foam and play dough to explore and investigate different textures. Children are well cared for if they have an accident or become ill and there are good procedures in place to protect them from illness and infection. They are learning about their own personal hygiene and how to keep healthy as they wash their hands at appropriate times throughout the day and have access to individual towels.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing mathematical language and count in a variety of situations, for example, counting steps when going up and down them and also counting the money in the toy till. Children's language and literacy skills are developed as they access books and use mark making equipment. They behave extremely well and respond to the childminder's methods of behaviour management which encourage them to be kind, share and to use good manners, such as, please and thank you.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has implemented effective systems to monitor and enhance children's development and progress. She helps the children to settle in by gaining important information from parents about likes, dislikes and interests. The childminder works to a theme and completes a range of plans including long, medium, weekly and individual. She observes children during their play, takes a photograph and then evaluates the children's learning journey. Each child has a folder with lots of photographs of activities that link to the six areas of learning. However, parents and providers in other early years settings that children attend are not fully involved in assessment to plan for next steps of 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 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 1 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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