Childminder in Barnet

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY343200 Inspection date 08/02/2011 Inspector Jane Shaw

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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 2006. She lives with her mother in the Salford area of Greater Manchester. The children have access to the whole of the ground floor including toilet facilities. The childminder's bedroom and an additional bedroom on the first floor may be used for sleeping children only. Outdoor play is provided in the garden under direct supervision.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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

The childminder provides a very welcoming and inclusive environment where each child is valued for their individuality; she knows each child extremely well and is therefore clearly able to meet their individual needs very successfully. Children are cared for in an extremely safe and secure manner. Partnerships with parents and carers are excellent and support children's placements very well. The childminder has not yet had the need to liaise with other professionals, but is aware of how she would implement this if required. The childminder demonstrates her capacity to improve, through self-evaluation, identifying her strengths and areas for improvement; however, systems for self-evaluation are in their infancy.

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further?

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

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further?

 evaluate planning to build up knowledge about how individual children learn and make progress  continue to develop systems for self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children  develop systems to continuously assess children's progress.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding and awareness of the need to safeguard children's welfare. She has a sound awareness of the indicators of abuse, what gives her cause for concern, and the procedures for dealing with issues. A comprehensive safeguarding policy is in place which is shared with parents and carers. She updates her safeguarding knowledge on a regular basis through training opportunities and therefore children are very well protected. Required checks were completed prior to registration and the childminder confirms This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ongoing suitability. Children's safety and general well-being is very well promoted through the childminder's policies, procedures and practices. Written policies and procedures, which are available to parents and carers, ensures they are fully aware of how she will keep children safe and well protected.

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the early years provision

Thorough risk assessments and daily checks of the premises, along with detailed risk assessments for outings ensure children are cared for in a safe manner. Daily temperature readings of the fridge and freezer are completed. Weekly tests of smoke detectors and regular fire evacuations ensure that children would be safe in the event of an emergency. Visitors to the premises are asked to sign a visitor's record. Children are reminded to be careful with resources and equipment.

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the early years provision

Children are very comfortable and at ease in the childminder's home. They are developing a sense of belonging and have good relationships with the childminder and one another. The childminder provides an inclusive, child-centred play environment, where children are developing creative imaginations and becoming independent learners. Space, time and resources are well organised to meet children's individual needs. Children are able to choose resources from the wide range available, which are stored at low level to offer children the opportunity to self-select and become independent learners.

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the early years provision

Excellent partnerships with parents and carers are in place and support children's placements extremely well. They receive information about her service along with policies and procedures. Daily feedback is given to parents and carers on their child's day, and they have access to their child's developmental record. They are also invited and encouraged to contribute to this record, as a result they are fully involved in their child's learning and development. Annual parental questionnaires seek views on her service. All questionnaires seen, letters provided for the inspection, and discussions with parents and carers at the time of the inspection show their complete satisfaction with the childminder. They refer to the childminder's commitment to their child and the family as a whole, and her respect for both them and their child. She has not yet had the need to liaise with other settings, but is fully aware of the importance of effective partnerships in ensuring

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the early years provision

The childminder's commitment to improve is evident. She has begun to implement a system for self-evaluation; she has identified the setting's strengths and areas for improvement, such as further developing systems for self-evaluation. The childminder has support from the local authority. The childminder is also committed to her continuing professional development and enhancing her skills and knowledge through training courses and keeping abreast of childcare initiatives.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident and happy in the childminder's care and have a secure sense of belonging within the home. They leave parents and carers very happy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and settle easily upon arrival. The childminder knows each child very well, respects and values their individuality and establishes warm, trusting relationships, as a result children are settled and included. She has developed a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. Observation of children's development is completed and used to plan children's next steps. Planning is in place, but the childminder does not always link this to children's next steps. Each child has a developmental folder, which shows observations of children's activities, evidence of skill development, and records their achievements. Photographs are supported by written comments and show

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and outcomes for children

the link to the area of learning. Records show that children are making good progress across the six areas of learning. The tracking of children's progress across the six areas of learning is an area for development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children well as they play and provides them with a good range of activities, both in the home and outdoors. She has managed to develop a balance between the need to keep babies and younger children safe, whilst enabling them to develop skills of independence, for example, as a young child manages to successfully climb on and off a mini trampoline with no assistance. Children show very good levels of concentration and perseverance at activities. They are developing good relationships with one another, for example, as one child hugs another as they arrive. They have a variety of opportunities to make marks, and early language skills are developing well. They sit quietly as they listen to stories and are able to use books correctly.

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and outcomes for children

Younger children are able to match and sort through access to a variety of resources, recognise shapes by name, and complete jigsaws matching pictures. The childminder uses mathematical language as she talks with children. Children enjoy a variety of activities outdoors. The childminder talked about how they had enjoyed watching bubbles blow during the windy weather.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing good physical skills as they push buttons, take lids off containers, use shape sorters, and hold implements as they use cutters during play dough. They are developing large motor skills and they use a mini trampoline, climbing frame and slide. Children enjoy listening to music. A variety of craft activities develops their imaginative and creative abilities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing an excellent understanding of the need to have a healthy lifestyle through excellent routines and practices. For example, through regular opportunities for outdoor activities, a very healthy diet, and access to drinking water at all times. Younger children are encouraged to take a drink on a regular basis. Excellent hygiene practices ensure that children develop an understanding of the need to keep themselves clean and therefore healthy. Younger children know when they need to wash their hands and are beginning to do this independently.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is good. The childminder describes the use of age and developmentally appropriate behaviour management techniques if this were necessary. Children are developing confidence and self-esteem as the childminder provides activities which she knows they enjoy and encourages and praises their achievements. Children show care for one another. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 A fully inclusive environment ensures that all children feel valued and their individual needs are met. In addition, they learn to value others as they learn about people's similarities and differences through activities and resources. Through appropriate opportunities they are developing appropriate skills and confidence to support their skills for the future. 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 1 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 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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