Childminder in Croydon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY268465 Inspection date 16/11/2010 Inspector Angela Ramsay

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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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged 10, 8 and 3 years in the London borough of Croydon. The property is within walking distance of a local bus route, shops and parks.

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Description of the childminding

Childminding is carried out on the ground floor with sleep and toilet facilities provided on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has one cat and a selection of tropical fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She currently has four children under eight years on roll who attend on a part time basis and after school. The childminder may at times, if agreed and confirmed in writing by parents, leave an assistant in sole charge of children.

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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

Children's welfare is effectively promoted in the warm and homely environment provided by the childminder. Good relationships with parents have been established through the exchanging of valuable information. Children's needs are inclusively met and individual routines followed with regard to their requirements and preferences discussed with parents. Children are making good progress in their learning as they enjoy a variety of well-organised and stimulating activities. The childminder demonstrates good capacity for continuous improvement through identifying areas of strengths or weaknesses of her service through the completing of Ofsted's self evaluation form. She is also attending additional training to further improve her knowledge of child care practices.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure risk assessments include and highlight potential hazards and action required to minimize risks with regard to outings  develop further the system for observation and assessment to clearly identify and plan for the next steps in learning for each child

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded by the childminder who has a good knowledge and understanding of her role in protecting children. She is aware of the possible signs of abuse, the importance of recording her concerns and she has the details of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 whom to contact if a referral needs to be made. Regular fire drills are carried out with the children the details of which are recorded. Risk assessments are conducted and the childminder takes effective steps to prevent accidents. However, the possible hazards associated with outings, such as, visits to different childminding groups are not included.

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the early years provision

Positive partnerships with parents have been established. The childminder keeps parents informed of their children's learning and development. Parents are provided with copies of her policies and procedures, which support the service provided. The childminder has a clear commitment to her professional development and has updated her skills through training.

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the early years provision

Through discussions with parents the childminder actively promotes equality and diversity. She works closely with parents and she becomes familiar with each child's individual needs, such as likes and dislikes with regards to food and sleep routines. Parents are also kept informed of their child's development. Systems to observe and assess children's progress are in place; these identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child. The childminder is aware that if children receive education and care in more than one setting, relevant information should be shared to ensure continuity and coherence.

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the early years provision

Resources are well deployed and easily accessible in containers, enabling children to make choices about what they want to play with. The environment both indoors and outdoors is conducive to learning and support children's learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, secure and settled in the childminder's care. She has created a comfortable, welcoming and child-centred environment where children are able to enjoy the activities on offer. Resources are easily accessible and the childminder provides a wide range of experiences and learning opportunities which stimulate and challenge children's knowledge and understanding.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder organises outings to local childminding groups, parks and the library. She has implemented a system to monitor children's development and progress using the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. However, currently these observations do not clearly identify how children's next steps in learning will be targeted. Young babies form positive secure relationships with the childminder. The childminder establishes routines which enable babies to feel content, safe and secure. Babies also develop confidence in exploring their surroundings. Young children also enjoy investigating things repeatedly, such as opening and closing a flap on a toy, pushing and pulling a toy, working out that one action has an effect on others. Toys and resources are well deployed enabling children to develop their independence as they choose the toys they wish to play with. Children enjoy being creative they are able to explore colour and texture as they do hand prints. These

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 prints are then cut out and stuck onto paper to form the spines of a hedgehog. Children are also provided with opportunities to use the childminder's garden. Children's behaviour is appropriately supported. If required, the techniques used are suitable for the age and stage of children's development, for example, distraction and explaining to children in language they understand why the behaviour is not acceptable. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has up-to-date knowledge of first aid. She has a written procedure in place in the event of a child becoming ill and obtains written consent to administer medicines to children. Records are also kept of any medicines administered. Parental permission to seek emergency advice or treatment has also been obtained.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health and well-being are supported and positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder's home is clean and the children are taught the importance of hand washing. The childminder has devised menus which include healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. 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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