Northern Counties College

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 131946 Inspection date 29/09/2010 Inspector Jane Nelson

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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 assesses 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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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 1995. She lives with her husband, adult daughter and 15 year old daughter, in a house in the borough of Kingston upon Thames. The open plan kitchen, dining and living area on the ground floor and three bedrooms on the first floor are used for childminding. Bathroom faciliites are available on the ground floor. There is an enclosed garden at the rear.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight, three of whom may be in the early years range at any one time. The childminder has a current exception to this ratio to enable her to care for two sets of siblings, and is currently caring for four children in the early years age range, who attend 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 willing to collect children from local schools. The childminder attends a local carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

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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 has a detailed knowledge of children's individual needs, routines and personalities, which she uses effectively to encourage all children's enjoyment and participation in the play experiences she plans and provides. Written records and documentation are well organised and maintained and most legal requirements are met. Self-evaluation is used effectively to identify future training needs and areas that are working well. Good relationships are built with parents and result in children feeling safe and secure with the childminder. Partnerships with other settings children attend are in the process of development.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 review the risk assessment regularly at least once a year or more frequently where the need arises, and record any action taken following a review or incident (Premises, environment & equipment) 21/10/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 continue the development of partnerships with other setting children attend to enhange their learning experiences This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop systems to ensure that parents have regular opportunities to add to developmental records

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the early years provision

The childminder has a secure understanding of child protection issues, her responsibilities and the procedures to follow if concerns arise. She regularly updates her knowledge through attending safeguarding training. The required record of risk assessment is in place, and the childminder uses visual checks daily to monitor safety issues. However, the risk assessment has not been reviewed annually or updated recently, as is required. In particular, a review has not taken place of potential changes that may be required while an exception in ratios is in place enabling the childminder to care for four children in the early years age range. Risk assessments are carried out prior to outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder has been registered for some years and demonstrates a good commitment to on going improvement through regularly attending training and keeping herself up to date with developments in childcare. She uses self-evaluation effectively to identify her own future training needs and what is working well in her setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is warm and welcoming. Space is well organised to enable children to play freely, move about independently, sit comfortably to eat and sleep in calm and comfortable surroundings. A good selection of toys and play materials are set out in containers on the floor and on low surfaces in the open plan kitchen/dining and living area, inviting children to investigate and explore. The childminder uses her secure knowledge of the individual needs of each child to plan an interesting range of play experiences that encourage all children's learning and development at their own stage and pace. For example, while younger children are sleeping, the childminder plans a cooking activity with older children. She identifies how she intends to support the individual needs of each child and areas where she may need to do some research to develop her own knowledge.

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the early years provision

Information is obtained from parents about children's home routines prior to them attending, enabling the childminder to follow familiar routines, providing reassurance and helping children to settle. Sensitive and informative observations relating to children's development are recorded in individual folders, illustrated with photographs and examples of children's creative work. Children's next developmental stages, along with activities, play experiences and tasks that will support them as they progress are identified. Developmental records are shared with parents, although systems are not yet fully developed to encourage parents to add to their child's records. Good relationships with parents are promoted and result in a good two way flow of information. Parents' views of the childminder's care are obtained annually in the form of questionnaires. Responses are positive and parents praise the childminder and comment that their children enjoy their

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the early years provision

time in her care. The childminder is aware of the need to work in partnership with other settings children attend and has started this process recently with a local This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 school.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a good range of play experiences that encourage their learning and development well in all areas. They are developing skills for the future through their play and practices that are part of their daily routine such as sharing and taking turns. Children are excited, busy and thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. Older children confidently talk about what they are doing, taking pride in achievements such as mark making on the white board, and cleaning their own teeth. Younger children laugh, vocalise, climb onto the childminder's lap for a cuddle and explore the range of toys set out on the floor.

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and outcomes for children

Children watch photographs of themselves on a digital photo frame. Older children study the images and recall what they are doing in the photographs. The childminder has placed the frame on a low table to encourage younger children to pull themselves up to watch the photos, which they do. Children are developing independence and an awareness of their own hygiene through practices that are part of their daily routine, such as, cleaning their teeth and hand washing. They enjoy their lunch of pasta and bolognaise sauce. Older children sit at the table to eat, and the childminder helps younger children sitting in high chairs to eat their lunch.

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and outcomes for children

Older children are excited by a planned cooking activity and rush to get small steps so that they can reach the work top. The childminder helps them to put on t-shirts to protect their clothes and makes sure their hands are clean. A children's cookery book is used by the childminder and she reminds children to follow the photographic illustrations step by step. Children help the childminder weigh and measure ingredients, mix the butter and flour, following the childminder's instructions to make sure all the butter is 'squished'. Children take turns using a fork to gently mix and beat the egg, watching the yolk and white of the egg merge together. The activity captures children's interest and the childminder's adult support results in children thoroughly enjoying the activity and taking pride in their achievement of making biscuits dough which they will roll out and bake later in the day.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from affectionate and supportive interaction with the childminder who follows their individual routines, taking into account, sleep patterns and changes in routine, such as, a child attending part time school. This results in children feeling safe and secure in her care. For example, children use her name frequently and excitedly chat to her as they play, the childminder recognises when younger children are tired and they are settled cosily in individual travel cots for their morning nap.

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and outcomes for children

Children see the world around them and diversity represented in play resources in the childminder's home. The childminder uses resources such as books to initiate discussion about different events and festivals. Children have opportunities to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 regularly visit local play groups in the community and mix with their peers in a large group. Children have access to daily outdoor play in the childminder's garden, enjoy walks in the local area and occasional visits to her allotment. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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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