Childminder in Richmond upon Thames

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY300878 Inspection date 26/01/2011 Inspector Katie Dempster

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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 husband and twin boys aged 18 months in Twickenham in the borough of Richmond. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has two pet cats. The childminder walks/drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time, of these one may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child under five. She also offers care to children aged over five years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 are happy and settled because the childminder creates an environment where children are valued and supported. The childminder helps the children to feel comfortable while they attend the setting. Warm, positive and trusting relationships enable children to feel safe and secure. The childminder has a capacity to maintain continuous improvement as she ensures she keeps up to date with any changes made to the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder currently does not have a written self-evaluation in place, but is able to verbally discuss what her strengths and areas for improvement are.

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further?

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

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further?

 make further links to development matters when planning for children's next steps  consolidate existing methods of self evaluation to ensure strengths and weaknesses are identified  offering support for extending learning at home

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the early years provision

Children's safety and welfare are promoted well by the childminder. She demonstrates a good understanding of child protection issues and the procedures to follow if she has concerns about any child in her care. Written risk assessment records are in place and these include those of the garden and various outings undertaken. Safety measures such as stair gates and age appropriate seating This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 further promotes children's safety within the home. Toys and resources are within easy reach allowing children to make choices about the activities they wish to play with. All relevant policies, procedures and documentation is in place to promote children's welfare, they are up to date with recent changes, demonstrating the childminder's pro-active attitude towards her childminding practise.

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the early years provision

The childminder has not yet completed a formal self evaluation however there are other methods in place, for example, reflective practise, seeking feedback from parents and completing the NCMA quality assurance scheme. Furthermore, she has identified areas for improvement, for example, developing her system for assessment and planning as well as introducing a formal system for self evaluation. The childminder has addressed all issues raised at her previous inspection, indicative of her capacity for improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops good relationships with parents. She shares information with them verbally on a daily basis and also has in place a daily diary and communication book which allows her to share with parents information their children's day. Hoever, at present parents are not given information of how learning can be extended at home. Parents are encouraged to keep the childminder updated on any issues requiring her attention. Correspondence received from parents indicates how happy their children are with the childminder. They particularly like how the children are made to feel part of the family.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes inclusive practise with all children. They have available many images of diversity within puzzles and books and often talk about people they know who match the play figures of adults with different disabilities. As a result, children are developing respect for and insights into diversity

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, content and feel part of the family. They show curiosity when visitors arrive and are keen to involve them in their play. The childminder has put together an effective system for tracking children's progress. When children first join she completes a starting summary of their achievements, linked to each area of development. This allows her to ensure children have made progress in relation to their starting points. Following this she makes regular observations of the children, these are well written and clear. Every month she does a summary of where children are in their learning, this allows her to act on any weak areas and then plan next steps in their learning. This simple yet very effective system means children's learning is well captured. However, the next steps do not currently link to the development matters to ensure learning is steady according to the framework.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident and relaxed with the childminder, who is warm and affectionate towards them. Children show good concentration skills from a young age as they sit and persevere with posting activities and shape sorters. They smile with delight when the childminder tells them how well they've done. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder uses everyday opportunities to develop children's mathematical skills, for example, they explore numbers and weight as they measure ingredients during baking activities. She asks open ended questions during activities and keeps younger children engaged by talking to them as she continues with other duties. Children sit and listen during story time, they all huddle together close to the childminder and listen as she uses animated voices and gestures as she reads.

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and outcomes for children

A policy is in place for the care of children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities. The childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of the additional care and adaptation to activities that may be required in order to meet the needs of all children attending.

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and outcomes for children

Babies are developing feelings of safety as the childminder maintains a close bond with them. She stays close by for reassurance and answers children when they call out to her. Older children have discussions of road safety and how to behave on outings. They also enjoy dressing up as characters linked to those that help us, for example, police and fire fighter costumes. They have daily opportunities to play outside in the fresh air and learn about a healthy lifestyle through the meals and snacks provided. The childminder has a positive approach to behaviour management. Continual praise and encouragement help children develop their confidence and feel good about themselves and their achievements. This helps children develop a positive attitude towards learning. 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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