Groom, Alison

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY413467 Inspection date 24/01/2011 Inspector Christine Stimson

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 August 2010. She lives in Twickenham, Middlesex which is under Richmond local authority. The premises are located close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding, but children play in the downstairs part of the home and only use the upstairs bedrooms to take their rest in travel cots. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for six children on a part-time basis, four of whom are in the early years age range. 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.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis.

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

Children are supported by a childminder who provides a range of stimulating activities that engage and challenge children, resulting in them making good progress in their learning. Toys are in place for children to self-select, but lack resources that reflect diversity. The childminder has established good relationships with parents and is developing a rapport with other childcare providers. This helps children's development and promotes inclusion. However, the childminder has yet to involve parents in self-evaluating her practice to ensure continuous improvement. The childminder plans activities for each child based on her own observations, but does not find out children's starting points from their parents. The childminder embraces training opportunities to improve outcomes for children and has attended child protection training to improve her knowledge on how to safeguard children. The childminder does not undertake written risk assessments

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

for her home, but does have these in place for all outings.

p.4

further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.4

further?

 conduct risk assessments that identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and review the assessment regularly (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 07/02/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

p.4

further?

 use experiences children bring from home as the starting point for their learning  help children become aware of, explore and question differences in gender, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, special education needs and disability.

p.5

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded by the childminder's knowledge and understanding of her duty to protect children from harm. She is confident about who to contact if she has a concern about a child in her care. Safeguarding procedures are shared with parents and the childminder keeps a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines on site for referral. The childminder undertakes visual checks on her home each day, but does not carry out written risk assessments of areas used by children. This is a breach of regulations. Written risk assessments are in place for all the outings children are taken on. Children regularly practise the fire drill with the childminder, to ensure they know how to leave the building quickly and safely. There are two working smoke alarms in place and a fire blanket is kept in the kitchen; this is not secured to the wall for accessibility. All records and regulatory documentation is maintained to further safeguard children's welfare.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder strives for continual improvement and embraces training opportunities to enable her to do this. The childminder self-evaluates her practice, but this is not detailed in writing and she has yet to involve parents or children in the process. Inclusion is promoted as the childminder has established good relationships with parents and maintains diaries for each child outlining how personal needs are met. She also gives brief details of the activities children are involved in. The childminder is developing a rapport with other childcare providers to help improve outcomes for children.

p.5

the early years provision

Children play with a range of good quality and well maintained toys, suitable for their age and stage of development. These are available for children to self-select and make a choice in their play. Although the childminder does not have written planning for each child in her care, she does base her activities on observations she has made of children's achievements.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children enter the setting with confidence and make no fuss when parting from their parents. Children are happy to see each other and have immediate access to a range of colourful resources within the playroom. The childminder knows her minded children well and supports their play by interacting in their games. Children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 who are non-verbal are helped to increase their understanding by repeating words and gestures during songs and games. The children are beginning to copy her and do some of the gestures spontaneously when they hear a word. For example, the word elephant results in a child swinging his arm to make a trunk and when shown a card with a hat on it he starts to pat his head.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy each other's company and are learning to take turns. For example, during a game with an Ark and some wooden animals, children take it in turns to receive an animal from the ark, waiting patiently while the childminder states the name of the animal and the sound it makes. Children's work adorns the walls and this shows the childminder values children's contributions; this boosts children's self-esteem. Examples of children's mark making are displayed and even very young children's first scribbles are on the wall for all to see. Some of the older children's work shows they have painted a picture after having a story or a rhyme read to them by the childminder. Children have opportunities to make cakes and pizzas and younger children enjoy feeling the texture of play dough as they put it in and out of vessels and squeeze it through their fingers. Regular visits to parks, toddler groups and playgrounds ensure children develop their physical skills on

p.6

and outcomes for children

large equipment under the supervision of the childminder.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted as the childminder provides healthy meals and snacks for children, all accompanied by plenty of water to drink to prevent children from becoming dehydrated. Daily exercise is taken in parks, at toddler groups, on walks to the river or while using playground equipment. Children have their own towels to prevent the risk of cross infection and regular hand washing routines help children to learn hygiene procedures. Children's safety is important to the childminder and regular talks with children about road safety help them learn about crossing roads. Children are learning to behave in ways that are safe for themselves and others and the childminder has good behaviour management skills to help children who find it difficult to interact with others. Children are occupied, join in, cooperate and share with each other following the example set by the childminder, who acts as a good role model.

p.6

and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

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 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as shown in the early years section (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment). 07/02/2011

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as shown in the early years section (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment). 07/02/2011

p.8