Childminder in Greenwich

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 510811 Inspection date 15/09/2010 Inspector Jennifer Liverpool

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2000. She lives with her husband, adult daughter and an 11-year-old son in Plumstead within the London borough of Greenwich. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder takes children to local toddler groups and parks.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, and of these, three may be in the early years age group. When working with an assistant, the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of eight children under eight years, of whom four can be in the early years age group. She regularly works with an assistant. The childminder is currently caring for two children in the early years age group and one child in the later years before and after school.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Greenwich Network Childminding support group.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

All children make good progress because their learning and developmental needs are well provided for through purposeful play both indoors and outdoors and the effective interaction they receive, enabling them to enjoy and achieve. The childminder takes effective steps to promote and safeguard the welfare of children and in the main appropriate measures are put in place to help children learn how to keep themselves safe. The childminder and her assistant acknowledge each child's different needs and abilities and cater for this during care routines and play, promoting an inclusive environment for children. Good working relationships with parents and a supportive network have had a beneficial impact on the children. Systems for self-assessments demonstrate the childminder's ability to further improve the outcomes for children.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 improve the system for recording observational records by linking children's achievements to the different areas of learning  provide children with more opportunities to learn how to practise evacuating the premises so that they become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of child protection and safeguarding issues. She knows the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care. The childminder makes sure that her assistant is aware of the procedures to safeguard children's welfare. In addition to this, external agencies' contact details are easily accessible, ensuring that quick action is taken if a child is in danger. Effective measures are in place to keep the premises secure for children. For example, visitors to the setting are asked to sign themselves in on arrival and out prior to departing. Carefully selected, good quality toys and equipment ensure that children have access to safe and suitable resources. The garden is safe for children to enjoy daily fresh air and outdoor play. A full annual risk assessment and daily visual checks mean that the environment is safe for children to use. Also, risk assessment for each specific outing means that

p.5

the early years provision

children can be kept safe when out on trips. This aspect of children's care has improved since the last inspection. Additionally, parents are provided with good quality information about the provision and space is used effectively to meet the needs of children. The childminder reflects on her daily practices, identifies her strengths and makes plans to develop the provision for children.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has established good working relationships with parents. She promotes good communication strategies, such as, daily verbal feedback regarding children's routine care, and sharing and exchanging written information that includes formal agreements, records and policy documents. All of which keeps parents fully informed about their child's care and to take an active part in their child's learning and development. The childminder has good knowledge of each child's background, she caters for children's different needs during routine care and when setting up indoors and outdoor activities, ensuring that the learning environment is available to all children. The childminder works well with her assistant to promote children's care, learning and development.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children benefit immensely from a warm and welcoming environment, which highly promotes their emotional well-being. Effective settling arrangements between the childminder and parents contribute to a smooth transition for children from their home to the setting. Children feel secure and happy in the care of the childminder and her assistant as they all receive good quality care and equal time and attention. Children are cared for in an inclusive environment where their different needs are known, valued and met well. For example, babies sleep when they need to, intimate care routines are carried out according to the individual needs of each child and children are encouraged to ask for water when they are thirsty. In addition to this, the childminder and her assistant are attentive to babies' and young children's non-verbal communication and cues for assistance and comforts. Children are kept safe from choking hazards as the childminder and

p.5

and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 her assistant are vigilant when settling up activities and putting out play equipment for children. Gentle reminders and discussions about road safety enable children to learn how to keep themselves safe. However, children have insufficient opportunities to practise fire evacuation procedures.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's learning and development are supported very well by the childminder and her assistant. This is because the childminder obtains an initial assessment from parents about their child's development, which enables her to have a good knowledge of children's achievements and use this to build on what children already know. Additionally, regular observations and record of achievements helps the childminder to plan a wide range of activities for each child. Although at present some of the observational records are not yet written in ways that are clearly linked to the different areas of learning. However, photographic evidence showed children engaged in purposeful play and making good progress in all of the areas of learning.

p.6

and outcomes for children

All children's communication and language development is promoted very well and they demonstrate good language skills. Effective interaction from the childminder encourages children to communicate verbally and non verbally. For example, babies vocalise and respond positively to the comments and gestures of adults. Toddlers are able to make themselves be understood through language and actions and more able children speak confidently, sharing ideas and participating in meaningful conversation. The childminder extends children's communication skills through daily story sessions and asking children to describe what they see and to guess what happens next. This enables children to respond and express their feelings and ideas. Children enjoy counting and some can count from one up to eight when looking at number books. Children learn about the features of the environment through regular walks, visits to the park, library and toddler groups.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's creative and imaginative development is successfully promoted through activities such as, shaving foam, water play, painting and small world play. Outings to the park and local toddler groups, where there is large physical equipment, gives children plenty of opportunities to participate in physical challenges and develop skills. The childminder's encouragement and a good range of developmentally appropriate equipment supports babies to develop so they gain strength and coordination. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8