Cannon, Margaret Mary

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY332032 Inspection date 15/10/2010 Inspector Lynn Palumbo

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and adult child in a flat in the London borough of Hampstead, within easy walking distance of shops, parks, nurseries and schools. The whole of home is used for childminding.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight at any one time. There are currently three children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age group. They attend at different times of the week. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder meets the needs of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage commendably. She works exceptionally well, in partnership with parents and other settings to ensure that children are making excellent progress in all areas of their learning and development. Children's welfare is additionally exceptionally well supported. The promotion of inclusion is exemplary. The childminder's capacity to maintain continuous improvement is excellent.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing current systems for self-evaluation to involve parents more in the process

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the early years provision

All major aspects of the steps taken to safeguard children are exemplary. For instance, the risk assessments in place are detailed and every journey and outing is rigorously assessed for safety. The childminder's knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures is excellent and this is matched by the extensive policies and procedures in place, which further safeguard children. The record keeping and documentation, that is required for the safe and efficient management of the childminder's organisation, is very well maintained and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 regularly reviewed and updated. There are excellent systems in place that promote children's good health and well-being, including steps taken to prevent the spread of infection. In addition medication, sickness and infectious illness procedures ensure the best interests and welfare of children at all times.

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the early years provision

The play areas are invitingly laid out in a child-friendly manner with attractive furniture and resources easily accessible at low-level. There are also many posters and examples of the children's work. The childminder also makes good use of the recreational services within the community, for example, the local playgroups and children centres.

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the early years provision

The childminder continually and rigorously evaluates and reflects on her practice, and her self-evaluation is extremely effective in supporting and defining her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder consistently sets herself new targets and reviews aspects of her practice to ensure that that her methods are effective in meeting the needs of the children and their parents and that she is achieving best practice. For example, she plans to involve the parents as part of the assessment cycle. The childminder consistently attends training and updates her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage through a number of different sources, for example; researching subjects and organising relevant activities at the local childminding network. The childminder ensures that her practice is totally inclusive and encourages children to be aware of diversity themselves through providing a

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the early years provision

variety of multicultural resources and by celebrating festivals.

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the early years provision

All aspects of working in partnerships with parents are outstanding. The childminder liaises closely with parents, keeping them informed about their children's progress through daily diaries and monthly focused observation sheets. In this way parents are involved in their children's learning, enabling the childminder to provide appropriate support for each individual child. Parents are also welcomed to a parents meeting, enabling the children's developments to be shared and future targets planned. Parents benefit greatly from the childminder's professional approach and they have written many complimentary notes about her provision. The childminder also has excellent partnerships with others, for example, working closely with other professionals such as speech therapists and physiotherapists to ensure children's individual needs are fully met.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making excellent progress towards the early learning goals. Children demonstrate an interest and enthusiasm for learning which the childminder encourages and supports. Planning for children's learning and development are detailed, incorporating all the areas of learning into long term and weekly planning. In addition, planning takes into consideration children's individual needs, abilities and interests. Children enjoy exploring different aspects of themes for learning on a weekly basis. For example, children water plants in the garden and walk in the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 park to look for autumn foliage, such as, conkers, leaves and fir cones. Children enjoy listening to stories, such as 'The Whole World' whilst their understanding of travelling around the world on transport is reinforced and extended through additional activities. Children also enjoy initiating their own play and choosing their

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and outcomes for children

own play materials. For instance, children decide to mark make using chunky water pens. During this activity, the childminder talks to children about animals they see in the books, as well as past and future trips to the farm. There are excellent systems in place to observe and document children's progress and capabilities; these include effective plans for the next steps in children's progress and development. In addition, the variety of systems for observations in place ensure that the childminder knows children very well and that she is able to support their needs and inform parents about children's progress and development. Children have access to an excellent range of resources, play materials and books that reflect diversity, different cultures and disability. For example, children learn about skin colour when decorating cakes and dress in cultural costumes. There are excellent systems in place that ensure regular and

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and outcomes for children

planned discussion, activities and experiences that promote understanding of their own backgrounds and origin. Children are exceptionally well settled, confident and frequently approach the childminder for cuddles, demonstrating very good levels of security and wellbeing in the care of the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children have excellent opportunities to adopt a healthy lifestyle. For example, they use individual hand towels after washing their hands and brush their teeth after lunch. This help to remind children about hygiene procedures that can help prevent ill health and minimise the spread of infection. Children enjoy healthy and nutritious home cooked meals and snacks made from organic produce by the childminder. They learn, through the food that is grown at the allotment, about the nutrients, vitamins and minerals they need for good health. Children have a wide range of activities to exercise and spend time outdoors in the fresh air; they enjoy playing at the park using a variety of recreational equipment and games organised by the childminder. There are excellent systems in place to ensure that children are aware of how to keep themselves safe both in and out of the home. For example, they regularly practise fire drills and are taught road safety. Children's

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and outcomes for children

behaviour is exemplary as the children are clear on limitations, expectations and boundaries. Children are fully engaged in activities, hence there is little time for the children to become bored or disinterested. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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