Childcare on Domestic Premises, Full day care in CroydonOfsted inspection, 29 Jun 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY294356 Inspection date 29/06/2010 Inspector Rebecca Hurst

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Type of setting Childcare on domestic premises 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 setting

The childminder has been registered since 2005. She lives with her husband and provides childcare on domestic premises with her three assistants. The property is a house situated in a residential area in Croydon. Children have use of the downstairs which includes two designated playrooms. An upstairs room is allocated for younger babies to use. Toilet provision is provided on the ground floor.

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Description of the setting

The childminder is registered to care for six children in the early years age range. She is also registered on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. Currently she provides care for six children in the early years age range.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled because they are valued and supported within their day-to-day activities. The childminder makes time to talk to and play with the children. The children approach the childminder with confidence and feel comfortable in her care. The childminder has the capability to maintain continuous improvement, as she looks at her practice and identifies what she needs to improve upon and ways in which to do so. The childminder currently does not obtain children's starting points. The childminder is beginning to self-evaluate her practice, although this is still in its infancy.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the next steps are completed on all of the children's observations in order to progress the children with their development  ensure all children wash their hands before they have their snack  devise a system so that children are observed and assessed in all areas and aspects of the early years foundation stage  ensure that parents and carers have opportunities to share and contribute to children's records of development, such as obtaining the children's starting points  make the far end of the garden safe for children to use  increase the resources to teach the children about diversity and equal opportunities.

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the early years provision

The childminder and her assistants have an understanding of child protection and how to safeguard children. The childminder has started to complete risk assessments, although these are in their infancy. The childminder carries out risk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessments for outings the children participate in and carries out daily safety checks around them home. The far end of the garden is currently used by the older children, however, it is currently unsafe for them to use. The childminder is aware that it is unsafe for the younger ones as she has put a gate in place to stop them accessing the area. The childminder ensures that all household members have full Criminal Record Bureau checks in place and that any visitors are not left alone with the children. This helps to protect the children from harm.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures she finds out about the children's background from the parents before the children start. This is used when planning for festivals and celebrations to ensure the children receive a broad range of activities relating to interesting topics. The childminder finds out what the school is doing regarding festivals and celebrations and extends this for the children to learn at home. As a result, children are learning about the world around them. However, the children have access to a limited amount of resources that promotes equality and positive images of people with disabilities. As a result, children have limited learning in this area. Resources are deployed to ensure children are able to develop their independence skills through self-selection.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to continuous improvement by working with the regulator and meeting any actions that have been set at previous inspections. The childminder has identified some strengths and weaknesses in her practice through her self-evaluation. For example, she is aware that she needs to update her knowledge and understanding of record keeping and observing children.

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the early years provision

Partnership with parents and others is in place and this ensures continuity of care for the children whilst in the care of the childminder and her assistants. The childminder and her assistants ensure they feed back daily to the parents about the children and any messages from the school. Full details of the children's backgrounds are used to care for the children appropriately as well as ensuring the children are able to develop. The childminder works with the local school and shares all relevant information with them regarding the care and development of the children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and enjoy their time at the childminder's. This is due to the warmth and care the childminder and her assistants provide to all children in their care. However, little information is collected from parents about children's starting points in order to inform initial planning. As a result, children's full capabilities and needs are not carried forward into future planning to give a clear picture of progress. The childminder works in conjunction with the local school to ensure the activities the children participate in aids and complements what they are learning at school. The activities are made fun and exciting by the childminder to ensure the children enjoy the activities whilst they learn at the same time.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder and her assistants carry out informative observations on all of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children in their care. However, the next steps are not completed on these observations. As a result, the observations are not effectively being used in the planning to progress the children's development to the next stage. Some areas of learning do not have observations linked to them. It is not clear from this information whether the children are falling behind or excelling in these areas of development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has good knowledge of all of the children in her care and uses this information to plan activities to aid their development. The childminder and her assistants are at hand to offer the children cuddles of reassurance and support during their daily routine and activities. The childminder and her assistants talk calmly to the children and explain to them about the importance of sharing their toys. Throughout the children's time at the childminder's they explain the reasoning behind the decisions to carry out activities and why they may need to stop any undesired behaviour. As a result, children are generally well behaved.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder and her assistants encourage children to become confident communicators by reading them a variety of books. The welcoming environment gives children of all ages opportunities to freely access resources and play materials. The childminding areas are well organised to allow for safe, quiet and active play within the home. Children practise their creative and communication skills though activities the childminder plans in conjunction with the school.

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and outcomes for children

Inconsistencies with children regarding hygiene procedures means they are not fully protected from cross infection and contamination as they do not wash their hands before they have snacks, but they do before main meals. Children are offered freshly prepared home-cooked meals, which include fresh fruit and vegetables. Children's independence skills are enhanced through the children serving themselves their meals and pouring their own drinks. The childminder teaches the children about the world around them through trips into the local area. The children feel safe through the daily safety checks the childminder carries out to ensure the home is safe for the children. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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