Harris, Lisa

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY249047 Inspection date 26/04/2010 Inspector Lindsay Ann Farenden

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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 10 and 12 in the London borough of Sutton. All areas of the childminder’s house are used for childminding, except the master bedroom, and 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 under eight years at any one time and is currently minding one child in the early years age group. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant. The childminder is registered on the following registers the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 cared for in a well maintained, safe and secure environment. Children’s individuality is recognised and nurtured by the childminder who has a very secure knowledge of their individual needs, interests and abilities. They make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder is skilled at making sure all children benefit from an exciting range of resources, activities and outings. The childminder works well together with the parents and a good two-way flow of information ensures continuity of care for children. The childminder shows a strong commitment to maintaining continuous improvement, through the use of self-evaluation and attending training.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the written record of risk assessement to include those carried out for outings  continue to develop assessment systems so children's next steps of learning are further linked with the six areas of learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder places a very strong emphasis on safeguarding children within the childminding setting. Warm and trusting relationships have developed between the childminder and the children, which gives them a real sense of belonging and demonstrates that they feel safe in her care. She has a good knowledge of the signs of abuse and procedures to follow if she concerns about a child’s safety. Adults living in the home have been fully vetted to ensure they are safe to be in the presence of children. The childminder is vigilant about safety issues and conducts risk assessments both in and out of the home, although written records This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for each individual outings are not always kept. Fire safety equipment is in place and smoke alarms are in working order. The childminder has devised a written fire evacuation procedure, which is regularly practised with the children. Children learn

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the early years provision

to keep themselves safe as the childminder talks to them about stranger danger and why they should not touch dogs on outings. She belongs to the traffic safety club and uses information provided by them to reinforce the importance of road safety with the children. Children are very well supervised because the childminder plans her day, so she spends all her time with them.

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the early years provision

All records and documentation are in place and well maintained. The childminder has devised a well presented portfolio about her childminding service, which along with her effective policies and procedures is shared with parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a fully inclusive environment for all children and the excellent knowledge she has of each child’s individual needs ensures she is able to promote all aspects of their learning and welfare with success. She welcomes children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities into her setting and works very closely with parents to ensure their personal needs are known and very well catered for. The childminder has a positive attitude to liaising with others providing the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum should the situation arise.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a vast range of clean and up-to date toys, which provide children with rich play opportunities to enhance their learning and development. The childminder is committed to constantly improving her childminding practice. Providing good outcomes for children is a high priority for the childminder. She has recently completed a Level 3 qualification in childcare and education and is keen to attend further training to keep up to date with changing childcare practice.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the excellent relationship the childminder has with the parents, who are kept in well informed of their child’s day and developmental progress through verbal feedback. She emails photographs to the parents during the day sometimes, so they can see them enjoying activities. Letters from parents are extremely complimentary about the care and learning opportunities children receive in the childminder’s care.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has developed a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the activities and experiences provided for children are rich and varied to meet their individual developmental needs. She knows each child very well and records their achievements and areas in which she plans to give them support in their learning and development, although the planning of children’s next step of learning is not always fully linked to the six areas of learning. Each child has their own learning journal and a scrap book with photographs of children enjoying activities, which are a delightful record of each child’s time at the childminder’s and of their progress. These are shared with parents and given to them when the child leaves. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are very content and thoroughly enjoy the time they spend in the childminder’s care. They benefit enormously from the attention they get from her;

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and outcomes for children

she clearly enjoys their company and keeps them constantly amused. Babies squeal with laughter as the childminder bounces them gently up and down on her lap and sings songs to them. Young children explore colourful toys with great pleasure and interest, shaking them and pressing buttons, so they make sounds and lights come on.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a large play house in the garden, which the children call their den. It is well equipped with suitable sized chairs for children, dolls and cots and an extensive range of puzzles and board games to help develop children's numeracy and problem solving skills. Children have lots of opportunities to use drawing materials and develop their creative skills through painting and sticking activities. Older children are provided with an excellent range of resources to help them develop their confidence in using information and communication technology.

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and outcomes for children

Older children know that they need to put rubbish and paper in separate bins to protect the environment. Children develop a very good understanding of the wider world as they talk about other counties using a map with the childminder. They learn that cocoa beans come from Ghana and that these are used to make chocolate. At Chinese New Year they went to see a Chinese dragon in a street in a local town, made lanterns and tasted noodles. They play with small world toys, such as wild animal vets in Africa. Children access a lovely range of story books which help children learn and value different cultures and people with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are taken on many fantastic outings to enhance their enjoyment and interests, such as nature walks, the library, zoos, farms, Chessington World of Adventures, the science museum and occasional trips to the coast.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to engage in physical activities and develop a healthy lifestyle. They play with pop up tunnels, a swing, slide and wheeled toys in the childminder’s garden. The childminder sets up an assault course in the garden which the children like participating in. They regularly visit parks and children’s play grounds.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for and play in a very clean home in which the childminder gives high priority to hygiene procedures. Babies are content whilst being bottle fed as the childminder talks softly to them and cuddles them during this time. Children’s rest needs are met well, as they sleep in comfort in a travel cot, closely monitored by the childminder. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and well stocked first aid box, which ensures that any accidents can be dealt with in a prompt manner. 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 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 1 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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