Childminder in Lewisham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY410185 Inspection date 29/11/2010 Inspector Liz Coffey

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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 registered in 2010. She lives with her two children aged six years and eight years old. They live in a one bedroom ground floor flat in Sydenham in the London borough of Lewisham. There is a back garden which is shared with the first floor flat that can be used for outdoor play. The family have a hamster and some fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age range. She is presently caring for three children in the early years age group. She is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register as well as the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The family have a pet hamster and some fish.

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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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a safe, stimulating and inclusive environment for the children she cares for. She has drawn up and implemented required policies and procedures to underpin her service. The childminder provides a wide range of activities that meets children's interests and promotes their development, across the six areas of learning. There are effective systems in place to ensure daily communication with parents with regard to children's individual needs and their learning. The childminder reflects on her practice and has begun to identify the strengths and weakness of her provision and is keen to further improve her service to ensure improved outcomes for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems of self-evaluation to further identify the setting's strenghts and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children  ensure that observations are matched to the expectations of the early learning goals and used to identify learning priorities for each child. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are kept safe and their well-being is promoted by the childminder. She has devised written policies and procedures which she shares with parents. The childminder has appropriate referral details in place and is aware of the procedures she would follow if she has any safeguarding concerns. The childminder updates her knowledge through attending training and she holds a current first aid certificate.

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the early years provision

Rooms used by the children are well laid out to enable them to move about freely and safely. Resources are effectively stored to enable children to self-select from a range of activities. Risk assessments for the premises have been completed and good use is made of equipment such as stairgates and safety locks to protect children from dangers. An outings policy is in place and identifies steps taken by the childminder to ensure children's safety when out of the home.

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the early years provision

Children demonstrate a strong sense of security and readily approach the childminder for help or reassurance. All children and their families are welcomed and valued and the childminder is keen to ensure that her service is accessible to all. The childminder has developed effective communication systems to enhance partnership with parents and works closely with other settings children attend, such as schools and nurseries. Parents state that they are 'totally satisfied' noting that the childminder provides 'a high standard of care' and that she ensures 'all of my child's needs are met'. Systems of self-evaluation are in their infancy. The childminder recognises the need to develop systems of self-evaluation to further identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a very good range of resources, experiences and activities. The childminder is very well organised in her planning and demonstrates a secure knowledge of the learning and development requirements. Activities are well- planned; the childminder is resourceful and has a wealth of good ideas to engage children. The childminder keeps a daily diary of how the children have spent their day, which she shares with parents. Written observations of children?s achievements help to capture how well children are achieving. However these are not clearly matched to the expectations of the early learning goal and are not used to plan for next steps in individual children?s learning. They childminder recognises this as an aspect for development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and eagerly engage in the wide range of activities available. They participate well and are enthusiastic and keen learners. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the children as individuals and provides activities accordingly, so they offer appropriate challenge. Children are able to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 explore and select resources independently. Children benefit from a welcoming environment where very good relationships with the childminder and her own family are established. As a result, children feel safe and secure in the childminder's care. They are aware of the expectations and boundaries in place and they are extremely capable of making their needs known. This enhances their sense of security and well-being.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder gives meaningful praise and encouragement to children. Their efforts are acknowledged and their achievements celebrated. Children's independence and self care skills are promoted very well. For example toddlers are encouraged to feed themselves and young children are able to access the toilet and washbasin independently because the childminder has provided a step to enable them to reach. Children's individual personalities and likes and dislikes are acknowledged and valued. This builds children's self-esteem and confidence well. As a result, children make very good progress in their personal, social and emotional development.

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and outcomes for children

Daily outdoor play and activities are included in the routine and children benefit from plenty of fresh air and physical activity, promoting their understanding of healthy life styles. They enjoy bouncing on the trampoline in the garden, playing in the playhouse and running about. Regular outings are planned and the children enjoy trips to the park and local soft play centers where they can exercise and develop their co-ordination and balance. They visit toddler groups where they socialise with a wide mix of children and learn to share and play cooperatively with their peers. Children's safety is prioritised on outings with attention given to road safety and teaching the children to behave in a safe manner. Children sit together at meal times, making it a social occasion, which promotes their language and social skills. The childminder encourages healthy eating by providing freshly cooked meals and talking with the children about why they need healthy foods.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop good communication skills and the childminder talks to them throughout the day asking questions that help to extend their vocabulary and conversation skills. They sit on her lap sharing books such as an interactive alphabet book with her and eagerly press the buttons and lift the flaps to create the different sounds. They enjoy playing with the home corner props such as the toy tea-set and make pretend cups of tea and cakes as part of a Teddy Bears Picnic. Children use mathematical language as they play, counting steps as they climb and learning to recognise shapes and numbers. The childminder and children enjoy singing familiar songs and rhymes and toddlers spontaneously join in with the actions with praise and encouragement from the childminder. Children have good opportunities to develop their emerging writing skills as they use crayons, pencils and paints to mark-make, moving onto more detailed craft work such as

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and outcomes for children

making cards and decorations as they get older. Their understanding of technology and how things work is fostered as they use interactive toys such as singing teddy bears where they learn to push the buttons to make the bears move and sing. Overall, children develop very good skills for the future. 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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