Childminder in Kingston upon Thames

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY403961 Inspection date 27/05/2010 Inspector Christine Stimson

p.1

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.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in January 2010. She lives with her partner, and two children aged 18 months and nine years old. They live in a house in Kingston- upon-Thames, Surrey, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The open plan living, kitchen and dining area, a separate living room and toilet on the ground floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a cat and a hamster as pets.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently caring for one child on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is able to collect children from local schools and nurseries.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children feel settled and secure in the care of the childminder, who has developed warm and caring relationships with them. The childminder makes safeguarding children a priority and has attended safeguarding training as part of her continual improvement. The childminder promotes children's learning by providing resources designed to stimulate and challenge their abilities. Currently all play is child led, as the childminder has not yet planned activities for individual children. She has undertaken a few meaningful observations of children's achievements, using notes and photos, but has yet to take this forward into planning their next step of development. The childminder has established positive relationships with parents, who are kept informed of how their children's needs are met. All the childminder's policies and procedures are shared with parents, and as part of the childminder's self-evaluation parents' opinions are sought through questionnaires.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 ensure regular fire evacuation drills are carried out and details recorded in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  develop a system of planning to ensure children have a balance of adult and child led activities across all areas of learning  continue to develop the system of observation and assessment of children’s progress and achievements, to enable you to move them to their next step of development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder. She has appropriate knowledge of local safeguarding procedures and knows how to proceed if she has concerns about a child in her care. Children are cared for in a safe environment as the childminder undertakes risk assessments on her home and for all outings. These are regularly reviewed and show hazards found and action taken. All adults in the home have been vetted for suitability and the childminder has a current first aid qualification. The childminder has devised a fire evacuation plan, but has yet to practise this with the children. Fire fighting equipment is on site, with regular checks to ensure smoke alarms are in working order.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of child development and has a broad range of easily accessible resources available for children to self-select and make a choice in their play. The childminder has only recently started to observe children's play and has made some meaningful observations, supported by photos of children's achievements. She has planned for their next step of development, but has yet to carry this forward into her own planning of activities for individual children. The childminder has established positive relationships with parents, arranging home visits to get to know the family better and allowing time for verbal communication on a daily basis. A detailed diary exchanged with parents daily is appreciated by them, as it shows how the childminder met children's personal needs and gives an outline of their day. Parents' opinions in the form of a questionnaire show, that in the short time the

p.5

the early years provision

childminder has been caring for minded children, she has won the respect and trust of parents. The children in the care of the childminder do not attend other settings at the moment, but the childminder understands if they did she would have to nurture similar relationships with other care providers.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder drives for improvement in her practice by embracing training opportunities. She makes sure her resources are used effectively, with suitable toys within easy access to children. For example, the open topped toy boxes are designed to slant towards children, making it easy for them to get their little hands into the boxes to self-select. As part of the childminder's resources there are items from around the world to help broaden children's understanding of diversity.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder ascertains from parents children's starting points and there is plenty of space for children to move around freely within the childminder's home. Children access the outdoors at least once a day, either on outings, in the childminder's garden, or both. Through self-evaluation the childminder has identified areas she would like to improve, such as planning and observations of children's play, and is seeking courses to help improve her practice. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time in the safe and secure environment the childminder provides. They are confident in her care, initiating their own play and turning to her for support and comfort when needed. Children who reach milestones, such as walking for the first time, are given heaps of praise and encouragement and show joy in their faces at the acknowledgment of their achievements. The childminder devotes her time to the children in her care, sitting on the floor with them to play and joining them in the garden for fun games with balls and tunnels. Children bring toys to the childminder, indicating they want her to interact with them. She duly obliges and children are content that she is by their side. Children, who have yet to talk, are communicated with by the childminder, who asks them to fetch things and keeps up a dialogue as they play. Children show, by their gestures, they understand what is being said and this continuous commentary helps children with

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are helped to develop an awareness of diversity through a suitable range of resources that reflect other cultures. The childminder has discussed with parents how she can celebrate the festivals of others and has been given some ideas for cooking activities involving traditional recipes. Musical instruments and dolls from around the world are used as part of children's integral play, but the childminder is still trying to locate resources that reflect disability in a positive light.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Consistent daily routines, such as having their hands washed and wiped using their own flannels and towels, are used to good effect to ensure children develop habits conducive to their health. Children's nutritional needs are well catered for throughout the day, with healthy drinks, snacks and meals provided by the childminder at regular intervals. Children have daily opportunities for fresh air in all weathers, either playing in the garden or taking walks in the local area and to parks. Children are beginning to understand about keeping themselves safe as they learn from the childminder's example of crossing roads safely, using designated crossings and following the green cross code. Children are well behaved and cooperative and are developing positive attitudes on which to build good social skills for the future. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8