Childminder in Kingston upon Thames

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 132103 Inspection date 03/03/2011 Inspector Linda Close

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 was registered in June 1998. She lives with her husband and five children who range in age from nine to 19 years. They live in a house in a residential area of Kingston-upon-Thames in Surrey that is situated within easy reach of local parks, shops and schools. The children have the use of all the ground floor areas, the upstairs bathroom and they may sleep in a cot in one of the first floor bedrooms. There is a enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and three of these may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding two children who are both in the early years age group and both attend part time. The childminder walks or drives to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children if required. She regularly attends a local parent toddler group and several other children's activities and places of interest. The family pets are a cat, a guinea pig, some fish in an indoor aquarium and a rabbit.

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

Children are safe and happy with the childminder and they enjoy many interesting outings and activities which help them to learn about the natural world and the local area. Partnerships with parents are good and the information that the adults share helps the childminder to meet the individual needs of the children. Children are making good progress given their age and starting points. The childminder evaluates her service to children effectively overall. She reflects on the quality of her provision, accurately identifies most areas of strength and weakness and is keen to maintain continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 carry out a risk assessment for each type of outing and review it before embarking on each specific outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 17/03/2011

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop further the range of activities provided that help children to understand and respect a range of cultures and customs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has recently updated her policy and procedure relating to safeguarding children. She has enrolled on a course to refresh her knowledge of child protection issues which demonstrates her eagerness to maintain good standards in her work with children. She is already well aware of the signs and symptoms that can indicate ill treatment and she has relevant contact details to hand if she has the need to share concerns with outside agencies. The childminder conducts a detailed risk assessment of her home and garden to ensure children's safety. She is a keen gardener and she makes sure that the plants, shrubs and trees in her garden are not harmful to children. The childminder takes children on numerous outings in the local area and she ensures that her motoring insurance covers her when she is working and that her car has a current certificate of roadworthiness. However, she has only risk assessed a few of the many venues

p.5

the early years provision

that she visits which does not fully meet statutory requirements.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder conducts a self-evaluation exercise which is effective in most respects. As a result of her study, she has adopted a new system of recording her observations of children's responses to their activities, their progress and planning for the future. She is not entirely satisfied with her new system and continues to seek ways to improve it. She identified a need to update training in relation to safeguarding and has enrolled on a relevant course, and she keeps her first aid training up to date. Her work demonstrates clearly that she is eager to provide good quality childcare and is proactive in her approach to driving improvement.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a wide range of good quality toys and resources which suit all ages and reflect a range of people. She selects toys with care so that they suit the age of the children attending and are suitably challenging for them. She brings out different toys from time to time to ensure that children remain interested and stimulated by their playthings. She arranges the toys and books so that children can access them easily and make independent choices. The childminder's equal opportunities policy shows that she welcomes children of all backgrounds and abilities. She takes children out to playgroups and other venues to meet and play with a diverse range of children and adults. Children take part in some activities linked to diverse cultures including Festivals of Light but the range of these activities is somewhat limited.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder expresses her willingness to work in partnership with specialist advisors and therapists if there is a need. However, she has not been called upon to put this into practice as none of the children she has cared for, or cares for currently, has identified special educational needs. The childminder has established good working relationships with parents and carers. She welcomes them into her home and she shares her observations of their children informally on a daily basis. She ensures that the children are cared for as their parents wish. This includes adjusting sleep times to fit in with home routines and making sure that children only have food and drink that their parents approve of. The childminder is flexible in her childminding arrangements which is helpful for working parents. Parents of children that she has cared for in the past have written very positive testimonials This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

the early years provision

expressing their admiration for the childminder. They comment on how happy their children have been in her care.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children show in their relaxed body language that they feel safe in the care of the childminder. They come to her if they need reassurance, enjoy a soothing cuddle and soon go off to play again. Children confidently make their needs known to the childminder. They ask for favourite toys and cheerfully tell the childminder when they feel in need of a snack.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are developing the skills and attitudes that will serve them well in their future learning. The childminder talks to them using clear, correct speech and she teaches them new vocabulary as they play. Children are very vocal and they are gaining clarity in their speech. The childminder is currently helping children to recognise and accurately name colours and their progress is good. She shares books with the children who show a keen interest in the pictures and they know how to hold books and turn the pages. Children are very eager to make marks using jumbo chalks and a chalk board. They hold their chalks firmly and make deliberate circular marks and straight lines which is a precursor to writing at a later stage. The childminder notes children's interest in numbers and counting and she indicates in her planning that number songs and rhymes are to feature strongly in her programme to support their further learning. Children explore their playthings

p.6

and outcomes for children

with interest and they press the buttons on battery operated toys. They smile broadly when their actions cause music to play and lights to flash. This exploration of cause and effect shows that they are making their very first steps towards confident use of technology.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder helps children to learn about healthy lifestyles. She welcomes children into a clean, well-organised home environment where soap and disposable towels are ready for use. She has a hygienic routine in place for nappy changes which involve cleaning the changing mat in between changes, putting soiled nappies and wipes in an outdoor bin and washing her hands afterwards. The cat is fed where children cannot access their food and children wash their hands after feeding the rabbit and the guinea pig. They benefit from daily energetic play at the playgroup, in various parks and at the childminder's home which has a well- equipped garden for outdoor play. The childminder liaises with parents about food and drink for the children which meets their preferences and the children's individual dietary needs. She is happy to provide nutritious, balanced meals for the children or she will give them food that their parents prepare at home.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are gaining an understanding of taking appropriate care of their learning environment. They pick up some of their toys and help the childminder to put them away. The childminder manages their behaviour well. She relies on distraction techniques for younger children which are successful. She encourages them to take turns and play fairly and she reports that they get along well and enjoy one another's company. Regular visits to playgroups also help children to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understand that other people have rights, needs and feelings and they are learning to share and get along with others.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder's programme of events chosen to develop children's knowledge and understanding of the world is a strength in her provision. She takes the children on many outings which include farm visits to see the animals, visits to stables to talk to the horses and trips to the park to feed the ducks and to look at the squirrels. She involves them in an annual competition to see who can grow the tallest sunflower and she shows them how to plant and grow herbs, potatoes, beans and tomatoes. They also visit her allotment to pick soft fruits which they eat and enjoy. Children have many small world toys which they eagerly explore in free play. They also feel the texture of malleable materials which includes dough and they happily spread glue which they use to stick different papers and materials. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

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 3 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