Childminder in Croydon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY284063 Inspection date 10/01/2011 Inspector Jane Chappell

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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 2005. She lives with her adult daughter and 14 year old daughter. The family live in a three bedroom house in a residential area of Croydon. The downstairs of the house is the main area used for play. A large garden is available for outdoor play. The family has a pet dog and rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for six children under eight years old, three of whom can be in the early years age group. There are currently four children under eight years old on roll, three of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder is also registered to care for one child overnight.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Croydon Childminding Association. She has a relevant childcare qualification.

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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 provides exceptionally well for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage, ensuring they make excellent progress in all areas of their learning and development. She is fully inclusive in her practice and has an excellent knowledge of all the children, treating them as individuals and helping them to feel nurtured. Highly robust routines and procedures are consistently followed to ensure children's safety and well-being are prioritised. Children are highly confident and delight in spending time at the setting as they have established warm and trusting relationships with the childminder. There are well- established systems in place to ensure the childminder regularly reflects on all aspects of her practice and continues to make significant improvements that benefit the children in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 incorporating the feedback from parents into the children?s learning records. 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 exceptionally well safeguarded; the childminders understanding of her responsibilities towards the children in her care is exemplary which effectively safeguards their welfare. Robust policies and procedures are implemented consistently to ensure any concerns are prioritised and dealt with effectively.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows a strong desire to develop further her own professional development and keeps her knowledge updated by attending appropriate courses. She recognises that self-evaluation is the key to continuous improvement and implements effective systems to monitor the provision. This includes obtaining the views of the parents by requesting that they complete questionnaires about the service she provides. Supervision of the children is excellent, space is effectively organised and resources are deployed extremely well.

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the early years provision

The childminder works very effectively with parents to ensure she has a thorough understanding of each child's background and needs, so that equality and diversity is successfully promoted. Parents are encouraged to form excellent partnerships with the childminder through discussion, feedback, photographs, six monthly questionnaires, and a daily 'All about me' book, as well as having access to a range of well written policies and procedures. Parents are asked to contribute to assessments of their child's progress and work collaboratively with the childminder in reviewing their child's next steps. Although, systems to record parent's views are not yet fully established. Parents are extremely complimentary about the provision offered and clearly value the high levels of care their children receive.

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and outcomes for children

Children flourish and grow in confidence in the childminder's excellent care. They show a strong sense of belonging as they independently select toys and resources and move happily and freely around the space used for childminding. Children's good health is promoted as stringent procedures are in place to prevent the spread of infection. They learn about healthy diets as they participate in conversations about food that is good for them and what their bodies need. The childminder actively encourages the children to try new healthy foods and they are rewarded with a 'I tried a new food' certificate. Children learn to be safety conscious as they are encouraged to attempt tasks independently with the childminder on hand to offer support and guidance.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is exceptionally good because the childminder sets clear boundaries and has high expectations for all children, gentle reminders and simple explanations help them to think and be responsible for what they do. The childminder ensures that children have lots of varied opportunities for physical exercise. They play with a good range of resources in the garden and regularly walk to local amenities, such as the park, shops or schools. This means they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 benefit from plenty of exercise and fresh air.

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and outcomes for children

Children take part in an extensive variety of activities and experiences that support their learning and development both at the childminder's home and at the range of groups they attend regularly. They develop strong relationships with the childminder and respond positively to her extremely warm and caring approach. Activities are well matched to children's interests and abilities. The childminder incorporates the next steps for their learning very effectively into both planned and spontaneous experiences, making sure that activities are extremely interesting, stimulating and challenging.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely keen to communicate and younger children benefit from the childminder's patience and encouragement as they begin to babble and repeat key words as they start to join in conversations. A love of books is developed through visits to the library and the excellent range they can help themselves to on the low book case in the playroom. They laugh with delight as they manage to make music with the shakers and bells and excitedly pull themselves up as they laugh and dance to the music of the snowman, looking around with big smiles for the smiles of the childminder and basking in praise and encouragement. They enjoy creative activities, such as play dough, mark making and painting, using their imaginations as they create a dragon adventure on large rolls of paper. Programmable toys and use of a laptop for age appropriate games encourage an understanding of technology. As a consequence, children are developing rapidly

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and outcomes for children

and acquiring the skills necessary for their future learning and development. They find out about the world around them as they walk in the woods and feed the ducks at the local pond. The childminder makes the most of diversity to help children understand the society they live in, as they positively discuss differences and celebrate a range of festivals. Children are extremely well occupied and stimulated throughout the day and they thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. 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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