Childminder in Kingston upon Thames

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY331954 Inspection date 19/01/2011 Inspector Christine Stimson

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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 two children, one of who is in the early years age range. The childminder lives close to Kingston town centre, in the London Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames. The childminder's husband is also a registered childminder and works from the premises next door. The childminder's premises are located close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor and two of the upstairs bedrooms for childminding.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder works with assistants. When working alone she is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. When working with an assistant the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of seven children, of whom no more than six may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently caring for eight children in the early years age range, some of whom attend on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes children to local parks, playgrounds and visits to the library.

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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

Children are making excellent progress towards the early learning goals as the childminder plans activities for children based on each child's previous achievements. Children experience a balance of child initiated and adult led activities that stimulate and challenge them. Children are happy and very confident within a secure setting having established trusting relationships with the childminder and her assistants. Partnership with parents is excellent as the childminder involves them in self-evaluating her practice and keeps them informed both verbally and through newsletters. The childminder is committed to continuous improvement and attends training course to help improve practice and outcomes for children. She encourages her assistants to do the same. Children are safeguarded by the childminder who has a clear understanding of child protection issues and undertakes risk assessments on her premises and for all outings. The

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

recommendation from the last inspection has been addressed by the childminder.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  provide consistency when labelling resources to ensure words are written in small case letters

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has an extremely good understanding of her responsibilities with regard to child protection. She has devised a safeguarding policy and procedure which she shares with parents and her assistants. The childminder has up to date knowledge on child protection issues as she has attended a safeguarding course. Adults working with children have been vetted for suitability and the childminder conducts thorough risk assessments on her home, garden and outings. Children demonstrate they understand issues relating to keeping themselves safe. They follow five golden rules explained by the childminder to children and available in words and visually on the wall as reminders. Children regularly practice the evacuation procedure to ensure they know how to leave the premises quickly and safely. All records and documentation are maintained to a high standard to further safeguard children's

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the early years provision

The childminder embraces training opportunities to help improve her practice and intends to continue to drive improvement by undertaking a foundation degree in early childhood studies. Wide ranging colourful resources are available to children to self-select and make a choice in their play. These are kept in boxes and drawers which are labelled with photos and words to help children find items that interest them. However, the wording on the boxes is in capital letters and is not consistent with lettering taught in schools. The childminder and her assistants are actively deployed to assist children in their play and offer stimulating ideas to help extend children' understanding.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides an inclusive service to all families, maintaining professional and highly positive relationships with parents. She has involved parents in her comprehensive and excellent self-evaluation process to help identify areas of strength and weakness. For example, parents are asked to complete questionnaires to help the childminder gauge opinion of the service she provides, with an aim to improve practice and outcomes for children. Daily information sheets are maintained giving parents details of how children's personal needs are met and a book left on the table for parents to browse demonstrates some of the activities children have participated in during the day. Time is spent by the childminder and her assistants verbally informing parents about children's individual achievements and children's learning journeys are available for parents to see at any time. None of the children in the childminder's care currently attend

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the early years provision

other settings, but the childminder is aware she must establish a rapport with other childcare provides should the need arise. The childminder has met the recommendation made at her last inspection and now has written risk assessments for the outings children are taken on. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are involved in activities from the moment they come into the childminder's care. For example, early in the morning children are making pizzas for their lunch, spreading tomato paste onto bases and putting on their own toppings. Children are aware of others needs as one child explains they are making two large pizzas as one child does not eat meat.

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and outcomes for children

Children's starting points are established by the childminder when they first come into her care as parents complete an all about me form giving details of what children already know and can do. From this the childminder plans stimulating activities to move children forward in their learning. Amongst the childminder's extensive resources are items that reflect diversity and these are used as part of children's integral play. The quality of the environment provides children with two main playrooms that are well resourced and a room upstairs where children take part in role play, have use of a computer, look at books and do threading activities. For example, the role play area is currently a beach where buckets and spades, a life boat, a variety of beautiful shells and an ice cream shop have been set up for children to access. Words relating to the beach are displayed on the wall and with staff help children are learning these words as they play. Learning is extended

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and outcomes for children

further as children make postcards to send to friends and family from their 'beach holiday'. Children are enthusiastic about this art and craft activity as they stick pictures of palm trees, sand castles, hotels and beach scenes onto one side of the card and an address and writing page onto the other side of the postcard. Children attempt to write on this side and some children are able to write their names clearly without help from the childminder or her assistants. Children experience a learning environment whilst in the childminder's care where they make excellent progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has deployed resources in the playroom effectively, enabling children to self-select from good quality toys and make a choice in their play. Notes are made for each child showing the progress they are making and these are based on observations the childminder has noted during previous play activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning to keep themselves safe as the childminder teaches children how to cross roads, leading by example and reiterates the need for them to hold hands or buggies when out and about in the local community. Children practise the fire drill and learn about house rules. Children keep themselves healthy as they have plenty of opportunities to exercise. For example, children go out daily for river walks, trips to Richmond Park or visit the local playground. Here they access playground equipment suitable for their age and stage of development. Children also take part in stimulating music and movement sessions where they march to songs the teacher is singing and join in gestures of songs they are learning the words to. Children listen to classical music whilst holding brightly coloured scarves to wave in time to the music. Some children throw these in the air and watch them float down to the floor or catch them as they fall. Later they place them over their

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and outcomes for children

heads and sing a song about peek- a- boo.

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and outcomes for children

Good hygiene practice is part of children's daily routine and they know to wash This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their hands before eating, after coming in from the outside area and after using the toilet. Paper towels are available to each child to help prevent the risk of cross infection. A variety of home cooked meals, organically sourced, are prepared for children who enjoy their food and chat together as they sit at the table. Children make a positive contribution to the childminder' setting as they help tidy away toys, are cooperative when playing together and are well behaved and polite. Children enjoy being creative and displays of their art work adorns the playroom wall, which shows the childminder values their contributions. 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 3 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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