Childminder in Barnet

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY240767 Inspection date 20/09/2010 Inspector Samantha Smith

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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 been minding for a number of years and after a break re- registered in 2003. She lives with her adult son in two bedroom, second floor flat in East Finchley. Access to the flat may be gained from four flights of stairs. The flat is located near to a local park, schools and East Finchley station. Children play in the front room and hallway and there is a bedroom available for them to sleep in. There is no outdoor play space, however, children have access to the communal area and are taken to the local park. The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years and there are currently two children on role attending on a full and part-time basis, both are in the Early Years age range. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Outcomes for children are generally sound and they are making progress in their learning. Systems for observation and assessment are currently being developed and the childminder acknowledges the importance of to enable her to support children's development more effectively. Most of the childminder's practice is in line with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She demonstrates an awareness maintaining improvements and has successfully addressed the recommendations made at the last inspection. Sound relationships are maintained with parents, ensuring that children?s individual needs are catered for.

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further?

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

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further?

 up date risk assessments for the premises in line with requirements, by keeping a record of when particular aspects of the environment have been checked and next reviewed and put place clear procedure for the emergency evacuation of the premises (Premises, environment & equipment) 05/10/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop further observation and planning systems to ensure that learning opportunities for children in all areas are identified and maximised  improve children's safety by carrying out regular evacuation drills and keep a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 record of the details in a fire log book  consider developing monitoring systems to evaluate the provision in order to identify what works well and things that can be improved

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the early years provision

The childminder manages her provision sufficiently well. Arrangements for safeguarding are generally satisfactory and mostly ensure children's safety and well being is appropriately protected. All adults living in the home have completed the relevant checks and the childminder demonstrates that she is aware of her responsibility to ensure that adults left with children have completed appropriate checks. Risk assessments are in place for the home environments and for outings. However, the risk assessments for the environment do not meet requirements; this is because they do not identify dates when checks have been carried out, or when they will be reviewed again. This is a breach of a specific requirement is regulation. With regards to other required documentation, such as attendance registers, accident records and background details for children and parents, these are all in place and used appropriately contributing to smooth running of the setting. In

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the early years provision

discussion the childminder demonstrates that she is unsure of her emergency evacuation plan and has not practiced this with the children. Consequently, this places children at risk in the event of a fire or emergency in the home.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of her role in supporting children's learning. The environment is suitably planned to meet the needs of the children attending. There is an appropriate range of toys and resources that are sufficiently organised, enabling children to comfortably choose what they want to play with and generally covers most areas of learning. She is currently developing her systems of observation and assessment and she demonstrates that she has a sound understanding of how these are used to contribute towards children's learning.

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the early years provision

In discussion the childminder demonstrates that she has some awareness of supporting children in gaining an understanding of people from other backgrounds, cultures and with different abilities. She provides some resources such as books and small world people depicting people of various abilities and culture. She provides children with a varied cultural diet and infers that she is still keen to further develop this aspect provision. Background information gathered from parents is used to support children's individual needs. Although none of the children currently on role attend any other provision the childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of how such relationships can have a positive impact on children learning and overall well- being.

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the early years provision

Sound partnerships have been established with parents; from the beginning of a child's placement relevant information is gathered from them and used by the childminder to plan for children's individual care and learning needs. There continues to be a regular exchange of information and all the required agreements and consents have been obtained. From the many references from parent's it is clear to see that the parents appreciate and that they are happy with the service This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the childminder provides.

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the early years provision

Although the childminder has yet to evaluate her practice, she has identified some possible areas she would like to develop further and she recognises that there is always room for improvement. She acknowledges the weaknesses identified at the inspection and has addressed recommendations made at the last inspection.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well settled and clearly happy in the care of this childminder. They are safe and secure and enjoy the learning experiences provided. They benefit from the close and caring relationships they share with the childminder and her son and are described by the childminder "as part of the family". They are confident and display sound levels of independence for their ages. They move around the play environment freely, accessing resources and assisting their personal needs. They demonstrate their independence as they assist themselves when they go to the toilet and the childminder remains close by ready to lend a helping hand if needed. They confidently talk to the childminder about what they are doing and at meal times they sit and feed themselves. They eat well and talk about their favorite foods, which are carrots, salmon and peas.

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and outcomes for children

Activities provided generally meet their learning needs and support their future development, enabling them to extend their skills. They confidently express themselves and communicate their wants and needs to the childminder, who in turn is responsive to this. The childminder uses open ended questions to encourage children's thinking and enabling them to extend their vocabulary as they talk about and recall past experiences. Children show off their imaginative skills as they tell the childminder stories and embellish truth when they talk about things that have really happened to which the childminder remains fully engaged. Children enjoy opportunities to engage in outdoor activities through trips to the park, playgroups and other places of interest, where they enjoy using the large equipment and learn about nature and living creatures. They are provided with some opportunities to learn about electronic and programmable toys as have use

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and outcomes for children

of a digital camera to take pictures; this gives the childminder a clear indication of how children view the world around them. They also have some opportunity to use the computer available. Cutting and sticking activities supports children fine motor skills as well encouraging them to become creative as they practice using scissors and design and make their own pictures.

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and outcomes for children

Children are calm and well behaved and respond well to requests made by the childminder, who provides them with clear and appropriate explanations. Young children have their needs well catered for as the childminder follows their individual routines from home. They are provided with a quiet place to rest and sleep and receive appropriate to feed themselves. Most of the childminder's practice contributes children's safety. However, weaknesses in emergency evacuation procedures means that children are currently not taking part in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 evacuation practices and therefore are not learning to keep themselves safe in the event of an emergency in the childminder's home. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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