Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY272977 Inspection date 26/01/2011 Inspector Claire Douglas

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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 2003. She lives with her children aged 11 and 17 years. They live in a flat, in a residential area of Southwark, close to shops, parks, library and public transport links. All areas of the property are used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group and there are three children on roll. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

Children attend for a variety of sessions.The setting is able to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. The setting is accessed via two flights of stairs.The childminder has formed links with other early years settings such as the local infant school nursery. The childminder has qualifications in early years childcare and childminding practice and is a member of the National Childminding Association.The setting receives support from the local authority through an early years development worker.

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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, learning and development are successfully promoted through the childminder's well developed knowledge of each child's needs. Children are safe and well cared for in her warm, inclusive home and welcomed as part of the family. Excellent communication with parents ensures relationships are good, ensuring that the childminder knows children well and provides the care and support they need. The childminder reflects on the service she provides overall, ensuring that priorities for improvement are identified and acted on, resulting in a provision that is responsive to the needs of the children she cares for and their families.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the system used for self-evaluation, taking into account the views of children, parents/carers and other interested partners, to further identify the strengths and weaknesses, leading to actions which promote improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very clear understanding of her responsibilities towards the children in her care, and effectively safeguards their welfare. She knows what steps to take if she has concerns about a child, and has completed child protection training. She keeps all of the required records that promote children's health, safety and well-being. Robust risk assessments ensure that children are safe in the home and when out and about. The childminder's home provides children with space to play and access to a variety of age-appropriate resources and play materials that support their development and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder works extremely closely with parents, ensuring she has an appropriate knowledge and thorough understanding of each child's backgrounds and needs so that equality and diversity is successfully promoted. Parents are warmly welcomed into the home; they are kept extremely well informed through daily discussions and extensive written feedback at the end of each week, as well as having access to a range of well written policies and procedures. Parents' comments show they are very happy with the service provided, for example, 'The minder is just like a mother to the children, she is very committed to her duty. She also has a soft heart for the children. I can boastfully recommend the minder whenever required' and 'The setting is very welcoming, the environment is clean at all times. My child is happy with the childminder and all the activities she is able to do with her support'. The childminder builds effective partnerships with other

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the early years provision

professionals where appropriate, for instance when attending childminder groups and the local infants school nursery.

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the early years provision

She values local training opportunities and endeavours to attend relevant courses to develop and extend her practice and promote continuous improvement. The childminder evaluates her service and documents her strengths and weaknesses, however, this does not take into account the views of children and other interested partners to further identify strengths and weaknesses leading to an additional focus for improvement. Previous actions taken to improve the service have lead to improved outcomes for children, for instance, recent additions to her learning resources ensure further opportunities for children to develop their personal, social and emotional development and build on their self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and at home in the childminder's care. They show a strong sense of belonging as they independently select toys and resources and move confidently around the home. They learn to keep themselves safe when the childminder encourages them to 'walk slowly down the stairs' and teaches them 'how to cross the road safely' through practice, discussion and the use of road safety activities and books. Clear fire safety precautions are in place and children learn about evacuation procedures through discussion and regular practices to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensure they act quickly in an emergency. Children adopt good hygiene routines when they wash their hands straight away when they come in from outside and before eating. They benefit from well-balanced, home-cooked meals and snacks that meet their nutritional needs and they learn about foods that are good for you

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and outcomes for children

when the childminder discusses the range of fruit and vegetables that they see on a trip to the market and helps the children choose a menu for the following week. Children enjoy regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle, as they walk to the local school and have fun playing on the swings during a visit to the local park. Children take part in a wide variety of activities and experiences that support their learning and development both at the childminder's home and at the range of play centres they attend regularly. They make very good relationships with the childminder and respond well to her warm and caring approach. Their behaviour is good and positively encouraged through praise and sticker rewards.

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and outcomes for children

Activities are well matched to children's interests and abilities. The childminder makes good observations of children's achievements, identifies and plans future learning experiences and ensures activities consistently build on children's existing knowledge and skills. Children are keen to communicate; they enjoy sharing books and flash cards to develop their early reading skills. Children learn about shapes, numbers and colours as the childminder uses the play situations to develop their understanding, as she guides them appropriately with the activities. They begin to solve simple problems when they work out where the puzzle pieces go to complete the puzzles. They find out about the world around them when they take a walk to the local market or library, discussing the surroundings as they go.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes the most of diversity to help children understand the society they live in; they have a range of resources which reflect positive images of a multicultural society and equality, for example, posters around the setting and multicultural and multi-aged play people with a range of walking aids. Children develop skills for the future when they are given opportunities to become independent, for example, washing their own fruit before eating it and putting their coats on themselves. Children express their imaginations as they help themselves to creative materials to make fruit with the dough or have fun painting their hands and feet when doing a printing activity. They are well occupied and stimulated throughout the day and 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 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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