Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY304425 Inspection date 20/01/2011 Inspector Josephine Geoghegan

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 has been registered since 2005. She lives in the Camberwell area of Southwark with her daughter who is over eight years. Children have access to all areas of the home and an enclosed garden is available for outside play. 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 no more than six children under eight years; of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group, and of these, not more than one may be under one year at any one time. There are currently four children on roll, of these, three children are in the early years age range. The childminder supports children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder does not provide overnight care or employ an assistant.

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

The childminder shows a strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement as she has kept up to date with changes and adapted her service, ensuring that the needs of all children in the Early Years Foundation stage are met effectively. The childminder successfully implements a variety of policies and procedures that promote children's welfare. She has developed methods to track children's progress and plan for their individual learning needs. The childminder has established good relationships with the children and parents; as a result children feel safe and enjoy a relaxed family atmosphere where they are purposefully engaged in play.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 ensure the details of regular fire drills carried out are recorded in a fire log book, including any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder shows a clear understanding of the procedures that help safeguard children and promote their welfare. She has attended relevant training and has policies available, enabling her to take prompt action if she has any concerns regarding children's welfare. She ensures all required documentation is in place which is used and stored appropriately, helping to safeguard children's welfare as clear records are available relating to children's attendance and any accidents or medication administered. The childminder shows a strong This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 commitment to developing the quality of her service. For example, she has attended a broad range of relevant training courses since the last inspection, developing her knowledge and understanding of childcare and education. She is establishing methods of self evaluation and shows a clear awareness of her

p.4

the early years provision

strengths and areas of her service that she wishes to improve. She takes positive steps to drive improvement, for example, she has met all recommendations raised at the last inspection.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a range of policies and procedures in place to help support the management of her service. Children participate in regular emergency evacuation drills, although the details are not currently recorded in a fire log book. Equality and diversity are promoted purposefully through use of toys, books and posters that reflect positive images of people in the community. Children participate in activities that help them learn about cultures and beliefs. The childminder knows the minded children well and successfully meets their individual needs. She actively promotes inclusion and supports children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities effectively. The childminder has recent experience of working in partnership with other educational settings; ensuring information is shared and promoting consistency of care. Partnerships with parents are strong as the childminder makes time talk to parents when they collect their

p.5

the early years provision

children and informs them of all events of the day. In addition, she provides a home contact book where she records observations of children's progress. Parents have written positive comments regarding the high level of care that their children have received while in the childminders care. Children benefit from the childminders good organisational skills as she ensures that the deployment of resources is effective; for example, good use is made of the time that children spend with the childminder, enabling children to experience relaxed meal times, adequate time for younger children to sleep and opportunities to participate in broad range of activities that promote all areas of learning.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a stimulating learning environment with a dedicated play room that is set out with a good range of toys and resources. Displays of children's art work and photos of them participating in outings create a welcoming environment that promotes their sense of belonging, along with educational posters and a range of information for parents. Toys and books are well organised and suitable for the age and abilities of the children attending. Children's physical care needs are met well as the childminder has a suitable range of child sized equipment, such as tables and chairs. The childminder shows high regard to promoting children's safety and conducts risk assessments of the home and prior to outings. The home is clean, bright and well maintained with a range of equipment in place to help keep children safe. Positive steps are taken to help stop the spread of infection as the childminder ensures children wash their hands

p.5

and outcomes for children

before meals and helps them to learn good personal hygiene skills such as appropriate nose blowing. In addition, she uses disposable gloves during nappy changing routines and does not allow uncovered shoes to be worn in the home. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are able to adopt healthy lifestyles as the childminder provides a balanced diet of freshly prepared home cooked meals and snacks that include fresh fruit and vegetables. They are offered regular drinks and make healthy choices of foods they wish to eat.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children's individual dietary needs are known and respected, for example, the childminder carefully checks all ingredients to make sure they are suitable for all children. The childminder has established clear methods of recording observations of children's progress on a regular basis and matches her observations to the areas of learning. She keeps samples of children's drawings and creative work along with photos of them participating in a wide variety of activities and outings; this enables her to track their progress effectively. The childminder then uses her assessments to plan appropriate activities and outings for the following week, ensuring children are offered a good balance of experiences that meet their learning needs and interests. The childminder also encourages parent to add comments about the child's progress to their observation book, ensuring good communication and enabling them to highlight any additional learning needs that they identify. The

p.6

and outcomes for children

childminder supports children's learning very well as she is actively involved with them in play, asking lots of questions that make them think and extending their learning. Children are becoming active learners and make choices of resources while being supported by the childminder.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are very well behaved as they are supported by the childminder who gently reminds them of expectations of their behaviour. As a result they respond well to the daily routine and learn to share and take turns during play; this enables them to develop a positive contribution to their learning environment. Children have good relationships with each other and the childminder. They play cooperatively, freely talk and laugh and enjoy lots of cuddles with the childminder, enabling them to feel safe and secure. Children develop their language skills as the childminder constantly talks to them and encourages their speaking and listening skills during play. She is attune to children's attempts at saying words and uses lots of pictures and photos to help develop their vocabulary. Children make purposeful marks as they participate in drawing activities. They learn that print carries meaning as the childminder discusses the letters of their names as they

p.6

and outcomes for children

imitate writing their names on their pictures and displays show lots of written words. Children enjoy creative as they use the large malleable dough set; they use the rollers and cutters effectively, helping to develop their physical control. They learn about number as the childminder counts the pieces of malleable dough with them. Children enjoy using the child sized electronic key board; they jig along to the music, enabling them to explore sound. They have good opportunities to learn about heir local environment and nature as they go on frequent outings in the local community to children's groups, the library and parks. They have good opportunities to use a range of wheeled toys in the garden enabling them to develop their physical skills. Children have good opportunities to develop their social skills, for example, the childminder engages them in group games, such as playing picture snap. They also enjoy relaxed meal times where they all sit and eat

p.6

and outcomes for children

together and talk about the events of the day, creating a family atmosphere that helps children feel safe and secure. Children have good opportunities to develop their skills for the future as they are offered a good range of activities and outings that reflect all areas of learning and the childminder has effective methods in place This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to track of their progress. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.8

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.8

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.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9