Childminder in Harrow

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY282916 Inspection date 16/02/2011 Inspector Victoria Vasiliadis

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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 March 2004. She lives with her husband, adult daughter and three school aged children in a residential area of Harrow. The whole of the house except the master bedroom is used for childminding. There is a garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years, with no more than three in the early years age group when working alone. However, when working with her husband, who is also her assistant, she may care for no more than seven children under eight years, with no more than six in the early years age group. She is currently caring for six children within the early years age range who attend on a full and part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory part 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

The childminder ensures that an inclusive service is provided and in the main, children's safety and welfare is promoted. She works well with parents to make certain that the children's individual needs are identified and met. In addition, the systems for sharing information where children receive education and care in more than one setting are well developed. As a result, children are making good progress in their learning and development. Risk assessments in place, but they do not identify when the risk assessment was conducted or by whom. Self-evaluation is emerging and developing and the childminder has sought the input of parents as part of this process.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the record of risk assessment so that it includes information on who conducted it, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 04/03/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips  take further steps to reduce potential hazards to children in the garden. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

In the main, children are cared for in a safe and secure environment as the childminder has a clear understanding of her role in promoting the safety and welfare of the children. Daily checks are conducted on the home to identify and remove possible hazards. For example, safety gates restrict access to the stairs, kitchen and front door and hazardous materials have been made inaccessible to the children. There are detailed written risk assessments in place, but they do not identify when the risk assessment was conducted or by whom. The childminder conducts visual risk assessments for outings; but these are not recorded in her written risk assessment record. Although the children are well supervised whilst using the garden, the childminder has not addressed possible hazards in the garden that is jointly shared with her neighbour. The childminder has a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures and is aware of the possible signs and

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the early years provision

symptoms that may be displayed if a child is being harmed. Furthermore, the childminder has a range of written policies and procedures in place that support her practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder works well with her husband, who is also her assistant. Together they provide children with a warm, nurturing and stimulating environment. The home is well organised and the children have access to a well resourced playroom, where they access a wide selection of toys and equipment that are well utilised, fit for purpose and support the children's learning and development. Children can freely access the resources as they are easily accessible, which increases their independence skills. In addition, children have access to a suitable selection of resources that are reflective of the wider community, such as, puzzles, dolls and books. This increases their awareness of others within the wider world.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes a proactive role in establishing effective working partnerships with parents and others. The childminder is in regular contact with the nursery school in which the children attend. She complements the children's learning and development as she discusses the children's progress and next steps with the nursery teacher at the school. Parents receive regular feedback about their children's development in addition to information about the Early Years Foundation Stage and her policies and procedures. She shares information verbally at collection and drop-off times and also uses electronic systems such as, email and texting as a means of keeping in touch with parents. Parents are encouraged to share information about their child through the use of the 'all about me' and 'child record' forms. This enables the childminder to find out vital information, such as, the dietary requirements of the children, cultural and religious observations,

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the early years provision

languages spoken, social development and their health. Consequently, the childminder is aware of the children's individual needs and ensures that these are well planned for.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the importance of developing systems for self-evaluation as a means of identifying areas in her practice that will improve outcomes for children. She recognises the importance of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ongoing professional development in order to develop her knowledge to benefit the children and improve outcomes for them. For example, she has just recently begun working towards a foundation degree in Early Years. In addition, she has attended training provided by the local authority, such as safeguarding training; basic food hygiene training and fire safety training. As a result, she continues to develop her skills and knowledge which impacts positively on her ability to improve outcomes for children. The childminder has addressed some of the recommendations from the last inspection, but, the safety of the garden continues

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with healthy and nutritious foods such as, fresh melon, apples and bananas. Mealtimes are a social event and the children sit together at the table where they enjoy talking to each other. The childminder works with parents to find out any dietary requirements or other observances that must be respected as a means of ensuring children health is supported. Children have regular access to the outdoors as they go for daily walks or play in the garden, which contribute to a healthy lifestyle. In addition, babies are provided with safe surroundings in which they have the freedom to move around as they pull themselves up, shuffle or crawl.

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and outcomes for children

Children are helped to feel safe as the childminder gently reminds the children about the consequences of their behaviour which might affect their safety or others. For example, discussions take place with the children about not throwing toys as they may hurt others. The childminder talks to the children about road safety and stranger danger when they are out and about. In addition, babies feel safe and secure as they have healthy emotional attachments with the childminder. For example, babies enjoy snuggling into the childminder for comfort when they have just woken up.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder conducts observations on the children's development which she uses to record their achievements. This information is then used to identify the next steps in children's development and learning. Children are valued as unique individuals as the childminder takes into account the children's interests, ages and abilities when planning for them. Subsequently, children are provided with a challenging environment which supports and extends their learning. The children are settled and content in the childminder's care and are involved and engaged as they enjoy playing with the cars and musical instruments.

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and outcomes for children

Children's independence skills are well supported. For example, they are encouraged to take off their own shoes and put on their wellington boots before going into the garden and when helping to tidy away toys. Children receive praise for their efforts and achievements such as, when they complete a puzzle on their own, which encourages their self-esteem and confidence. The childminder has appropriate systems in place to manage children's behaviour, which in turn supports their understanding of right and wrong. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's problem solving and numeracy skills are encouraged as the childminder helps them to learn through practical everyday situations. For example, children count the number of bricks as they construct towers. In addition, they are beginning to learn about technology as they have access to programmable and interactive toys. They also learn about living things as they frequently go on nature

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and outcomes for children

walks and they thoroughly enjoy accessing the garden to look for bugs and insects. This activity is further extended as the children tell the childminder what they think that they may find in the garden and she makes a list for them. This supports the children?s communication, language and literacy skills. In addition, the childminder talks to the children, whilst also allowing them time to think and respond to her questions. Children also enjoy looking at books and having stories read to them. 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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