Childminder in Lambeth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY309358 Inspection date 24/02/2011 Inspector Josephine Geogehgan

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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 has been registered since 2005 and lives with her husband in the Herne Hill area of the London borough of Lambeth. The whole of the childminder's flat is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor 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 three children under eight years; of these, not more than two may be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for two children in the early years age group, both of whom use English as an additional language. The childminder does not provide overnight care or employ as assistant. The family does not have any pets. The childminder holds NVQ 3 level qualifications in childcare and education.

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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 the needs of all children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are met effectively as they are provided with a good range of activities and outings that promote all areas of learning. Children's welfare is promoted well as the childminder successfully implements a range of policies and procedures that reflect the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, although methods of recording risk assessments and emergency evacuation drills are not fully established. The childminder shows a strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement as she has successfully improved many aspects of her provision since the last inspection and is developing skills of self evaluation relating to all aspects of her childminding service.

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further?

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

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further?

 make a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. (suitable premises, environment & equipment) 10/03/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the details of evacuation drills carried out are recorded in a fire log book, including any problems encountered and how they were resolved. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder shows high regard to safeguarding children and promoting their welfare. She has attended relevant training and has appropriate policies and procedures in place; this enables her to take prompt action if she has any concerns relating to children's welfare. The childminder takes positive steps to ensure children are safeguarded as she ensures all adults in her home complete relevant vetting checks regarding their suitability and she keeps a record of all visitors to the home. Children's safety is assured within the home as the childminder uses a range of safety equipment and practises regular evacuation drills with the children, although a record has not been retained. In addition she conducts risk assessments of her home and prior to outings although methods of recording the risk assessment have not yet been established.

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the early years provision

Deployment of resources is effective as the childminder makes good use of the time children attend so that they are purposefully engaged in play. She ensures the home is well organised so that children can make choices of toys and books and develop their independence. Children use a good range of toys, musical instruments, dressing up clothes and books that promote diversity and participate in activities that help them learn about cultures and beliefs. They benefit from a stimulating learning environment that includes displays of pictures that promote positive images of people in the community. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met and that their routines are catered for, promoting consistency of care. Parents report that their children are cared for in a warm and friendly atmosphere and that their children are happy in the childminder's care. They comment that the childminder shares information and

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the early years provision

that they value her natural mothering instincts and that she promotes their children's welfare. The childminder shows a clear understanding of promoting effective partnerships with other agencies as she has previously cared for children who attend educational settings. She has also worked in a nursery and has knowledge of promoting inclusion for any children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder shows a strong commitment to driving improvement as she has met all recommendations since the last inspection. She has attended a wide range of training courses since the last inspection, developing her knowledge and understanding of childcare and education. In addition, she is developing skills in self-evaluation relating to all aspects of her childminding service which help identify her strengths and any areas of improvement. She has devised a range of policies and procedures that support the effective management of her

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the early years provision

service and ensures all required documentation is in place, such as records of children's attendance and any accidents or medication administered, helping to safeguard their welfare. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder shows high regard to maintaining a clean, bright and well maintained learning environment which is made inviting to children with lots of educational posters and a broad range of toys and books. Children are able to access resources and work independently as toys and books are stored in low level units that show pictures and labels written in English and Spanish. Children are supported well by the childminder who constantly engages them in play. She follows children's interests very well and responds to child initiated play. The childminder holds children's attention as she engages them in well planned activities. For example, she provides home made modelling dough that she has hidden things inside; the children then explore the dough and find the threading buttons. The childminder then encourages them to look at the differences in the buttons they have found, enabling children to learn about shape and colour.

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and outcomes for children

Children are offered a good range and balance of learning opportunities that are suitable for their age and abilities. They participate in regular outings to the local children's centre, enabling them to participate in a broad range of activities and develop their social skills as they mix with other children in the community.

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and outcomes for children

Children are engaged in adult led activities in the home and benefit from plenty of clear play space which enables them to move freely and safely. Their physical care needs are met as the childminder has appropriate sized equipment, such as child sized tables and chairs. Good systems in place to help track children's progress as the childminder keeps a folder of each child's creative work and photos of them participating in activities and outings; she then adds her written observation and links these to the expectations of the early learning goals and highlights children's next learning steps. She discusses all aspects of children's care with parents, including children's developmental progress, enabling them to discuss any additional learning needs.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder implements a good range of policies and procedures aimed at promoting children's welfare. She helps children adopt healthy lifestyles as they have good opportunities to gain exercise and fresh air during garden play and regular outings to parks. She also provides children with a nutritious diet of home cooked meals that include fresh fruit and vegetables and constant access to fresh drinking water, helping children to develop healthy eating habits. Children's individual dietary needs are known and respected. The childminder shows regard to maintaining high standards of hygiene practice, for example during nappy changing routines and while helping children to learn to wash their hands appropriately; this helps stop the spread of infection.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good relationships with the childminder and each other. They all cosy together for stories read by the childminder and enjoy hugs and kisses, helping them to feel safe and secure. In addition, children are supported well in learning to share and take turns during play as the childminder encourages them and talks to them calmly. Children respond well to the daily routines and help tidy away toys and prepare the table for lunch; this gives them a sense of responsibility and enables them to make a positive contribution to their learning environment. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are purposefully engaged and interested to learn. They enjoy stories read by the childminder and are supported both in learning English and Spanish as the childminder speaks to children in their home language and English during play. They develop their vocabulary as they discuss pictures in the book with

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and outcomes for children

enthusiasm. Children have good opportunities to be creative as they participate in paint, collage and drawing activities. They enjoy exploring sound as they use a range of musical instruments purposefully as they sing and dance to the nursery rhymes. Children develop their physical control and show good use of hand held tools as they explore the sand and water. They use a range of utensils appropriately along with plastic fish and rods, enabling them to have fun as they try to catch the fish. Children benefit from regular outings to the local park and one o'clock club where they are able to use a broad range of apparatus aimed at developing their physical control. They are able to develop their problem solving skills as they use a range of puzzles and construction sets appropriately. Children have good opportunities to develop their skills for the future as the childminder provides a good range of activities and outings that reflect all areas of learning and

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and outcomes for children

she has developed methods to track their progress effectively. 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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