Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY400929 Inspection date 29/06/2010 Inspector Linda Close

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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 March 2010. She lives with her family in a flat which is on the second and third floors of a low rise building on a residential estate in Southwark. There are two children in the family, both of whom attend primary school full-time and one is in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of three children under eight years of age and two of these may be in the early years age range. The flat is accessed via four flights of stairs and there is no lift. Children are mainly cared for on the lower floor of the property, in the living room and entrance area. They go upstairs to the toilet or to sleep in a travel cot in the children's room. Children do not access the master bedroom. There is no enclosed outdoor play space but the childminder plans outings to local parks, play areas and children's groups. There is

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Description of the childminding

currently one child on roll who is in the early years age range but attends school full-time.

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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 makes children feel very welcome in her home. She has a good knowledge of each child's needs and she successfully promotes their welfare and learning. Children are making good progress given their age and starting points. They are safe and secure and enjoy learning about the local area and the world around them. The childminder has established a good working relationship with parents and teachers and this helps her to meet the individual needs of the children. The childminder evaluates her service to children effectively in most respects and she takes advantage of advice and training opportunities to secure the ongoing development of her work with children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that attendance records are completed in ink and include children's full names  maintain the established system of self-evaluation to ensure that the provision meets the needs of children of different ages as they join the setting over time.

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the early years provision

The childminding is fully committed to safeguarding the children in her care. She assesses risks in the home, on outings and on journeys to and from school and she takes steps to minimise risks. Safety gates are strategically placed to ensure that This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children do not access the kitchen area unsupervised. Fire evacuation is practised regularly and recorded for future reference. The childminder is well informed about child protection issues and she is currently involved in a further training course to keep her knowledge up to date.

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the early years provision

The childminder has undertaken an effective self-evaluation exercise which has enabled her to identify strengths and areas for ongoing development in her work with the children she is currently minding. She thinks carefully about her documentation and has devised personalised policies and procedures that she shares with parents. Her attendance records include hours of attendance but they are recorded in pencil and with only children's first names included, which is not sufficient for an important record of this nature. The childminder is recently registered and she is active in her approach to ongoing improvement and professional development. She liaises with local Early Years development workers to ensure that she is ready for inspection and to identify further training to enrich her work with children.

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the early years provision

The childminder manages her time well. She sets off in good time to deliver and collect children from school and she prepares meals and resources in advance so that children can enjoy activities as soon as they have eaten after arriving home from school. She has arranged her home so that children can make independent choices from a good range of toys, writing and craft materials. The childminder has obtained books and toys that reflect diversity. She plans and provides worthwhile activities to help children to understand and respect cultural differences.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms an effective link between school and home. She consults school teachers so that she is aware of children's particular learning needs and interests. She ensures that the activities she provides complement what children do at school. She shares important reminders from school with parents and carers, for example, requests for waste materials for school craft activities. She ensures that homework is completed when they are with her as they may be too tired later in the day. The childminder invites feedback from parents and carers and they report that they are very happy with the standard of care that she provides. She shares children's files with parents so that they can enjoy the notes and photographs which show their activities and their progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy to be with the childminder. They show how comfortable and safe they feel in her care in the way they chat to her and make themselves at home and in the way they join in the daily routines. Without being reminded, they go straight to the kitchen to wash their hands on arrival at the childminder's home and they happily go to the bathroom to brush their teeth after meals. The childminder provides a good range of tasty home cooked meals for the children that meet their individual dietary needs. She talks to parents to find out about their child's likes and dislikes and she shares her menu ideas to gain parental approval. Children sit down to eat together at a small table and they enjoy a meal of cous cous, chicken and freshly cooked broccoli. The childminder offers fresh fruits for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 dessert and for snacks and she encourages children to take frequent drinks.

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and outcomes for children

Children become completely engrossed in their activities, which are sometimes adult-led and sometimes initiated by the children themselves. Children know where resources are stored and they go to select what they need without assistance. They made 'shakers' filled with dried beans and they decorate them with an attractive selection of adornments, including feathers, glitter, glue and stars. Children then go on to experiment with the materials. They pour dried beans into paper cases to make pretend 'cupcakes'. Children politely offer the adults their 'cupcakes' with imaginary cups of hot tea which they warn must be handled with care. Children also make 'genius soup' which they promise will make people very clever. They demonstrate a lively imagination and a growing vocabulary. The childminder patiently listens to children reading in the quiet area that she has arranged in her home. They read very well and the childminder praises the

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and outcomes for children

children to raise their self-esteem. She actively promotes their communication skills, their understanding of number and their ability to use a computer which helps to prepare children for their future learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder finds out about children's current interests through talking with them about what they see on the journey home. She takes note of what they say and capitalises on their interests, for example, by planning a trip to the shops for children to choose and buy art and craft materials and by planning a visit to the hairdressers to see how they do their work. The childminder also uses these outings to help children to learn about road safety. Children confidently describe how to use the crossing to make sure that 'you don't get run over'.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's home has no enclosed outdoor play area but she supports children's physical development by taking them to the local park for energetic play if time allows. She conducts children to their weekly swimming lessons and watches them as they take part in the lessons that their parents have planned. Fine motor skills are developed well through activities which include cutting out with scissors and writing with a range of different writing tools. 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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