Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY298370 Inspection date 25/02/2011 Inspector Josephine Geoghegan

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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. She lives with her husband and their two children who are both aged over the early years age range. The family live in the Nunhead area of the London borough of Southwark. Children have access to all areas of the home and an enclosed garden 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 six children under eight, of these not more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for one child in the early years age range. The childminder holds a Level 3 qualification in childcare and education. The childminder does not provide overnight care or employ an assistant. The family pets include one tank of tropical fish.

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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 shows a strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement as she has successfully improved many aspects of her provision since the last inspection and shows a clear awareness of her plans for future development. Good systems are in place to ensure the needs of all children in the Early Years Foundation stage are met effectively, with outstanding aspects relating to the outcomes for children. This is due to the childminders skilful interaction with children which enables them to become fully engrossed in play that extends their learning potential. Children's welfare is promoted well as the childminder successfully implements a broad range of policies and procedures that reflect the requirements of the Early Years Foundation stage.

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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 or risk assessment so that it includes information on who conducted it, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident 10/03/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the methods of self evaluation relating to all aspects of the childminding service. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Good systems are in place to help safeguard children and promote their welfare as the childminder shows a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if she has any concerns regarding children's welfare. She has recently attended training in safeguarding and keeps all relevant documents easily accessible. In addition, she ensures that all required documents are used and stored appropriately, such as records of children's and visitor's attendance, children's individual details and records of any accidents or medication administered. She also ensures all adult household members complete vetting checks regarding their suitability to be with children. The childminder takes positive steps to ensure her home is safe and well maintained and successfully implements a range of policies and procedures aimed at promoting children's good health and safety. She has conducted risk assessments and completes daily safety checks, although not all details are

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents regarding children's individual needs and ensures all documentation is shared effectively. The childminder ensures parents are kept well informed about their children's progress and all events of the day as she uses a home contact book to record all events of the day. In addition, parents views are sought via a questionnaire in which parents comments report that they feel the childminder provides an excellent standard of home cooking and that there is a warm and friendly atmosphere where attention is paid to child development and that the childminder and children have developed a good bond. Although no children attend any other educational settings or have involvement with any professionals at present, the childminder has experience of developing partnerships and working with a range of professionals that support children's individual needs. Equality and diversity are promoted effectively as the childminder

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the early years provision

has a good range of toys and books available that promote positive images of all people in the community. She helps children learn about cultures and beliefs through well planned activities and outings relating to a variety of festivals. Children's individual needs are known and although no children currently attend who have identified special educational needs and/or disabilities, good systems are in place to promote inclusion as the childminder has recently attended relevant courses relating to caring for children with a variety of needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows a strong commitment to driving improvement as she has clearly identified her own learning needs and makes accurate assessments and evaluations of children's learning and development. She has also recently completed a self evaluation relating to all areas of her childminding service. Since the last inspection she has extended the range of resources available to children and organised her home and garden to ensure children have access to activities that are interesting and reflect all areas of learning. In addition, she ensures deployment of resources is effective as she organises the day to meet childrens individual needs and daily routines. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a welcoming learning environment as the childminder transforms her living room and hallway into stimulating play space with a broad range of toys and books stored at low level, along with posters and child sized furniture and equipment. An extensive range of resources that reflect all areas of learning are well organised in clear labeled containers and wooden shelves, enabling children to make choices and develop their independence. Toys and equipment are of good quality and are suitable for their age and abilities of the children attending. Children are offered a good balance of learning opportunities as the childminder plans a good range of activities in the home, including joining up with other childminders for activities and outings to local children's groups and places of interest. Children are supported well as the childminder provides high levels of interaction and engages children purposefully in play. She shows a clear

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and outcomes for children

understanding of children's abilities and constantly extends their learning by offering activities that are stimulating and challenging. She responds quickly to children's interests, enabling them to move freely and make choices of toys and books. The childminder has developed good systems of assessing children's progress through use of observations which are supported by photos and clearly linked to the expectations of the early learning goals. She then uses this information gained from her assessments to plan activities that meet children's individual learning needs.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is an experienced childcare practitioner and has completed a variety of training courses that support her knowledge in identifying any additional learning needs. The childminder shows high regard to promoting children's safety and has completed a thorough risk assessment of the home, although it does not show all required details; for example, the details of who conducted it, the date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. A range of fire safety equipment is in place and the childminder has an emergency evacuation bag. She ensures children are familiar with the emergency evacuation procedures, including childminding colleagues and the children they care for when visiting her home; this helps all children to feel safe. The childminder has developed strong relationships with children within a short space of time, helping them to feel safe and develop secure attachments. In addition, new children settle in gradually, enabling them to

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and outcomes for children

become familiar with their learning environment and feel safe as they get to know the childminder before their parents leave. Children are supported well in learning expectations of their behaviour as the childminder shows a clear understanding of supporting them appropriately in relation to their stage of development; this helps them make a positive contribution to their learning environment as they learn good codes of conduct and receive lots of praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements. The childminder shows high regard to promoting children's good health. She ensures high standards of hygiene practice are maintained during nappy changing routines, while preparing food and during hand washing routines with children, helping to stop the spread of infection. Children's individual dietary needs are known and respected and children are offered a nutritious and balanced diet of freshly prepared home cooked meals. They are offered lots of fresh fruit

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and outcomes for children

and vegetables and have constant access to fresh drinking water, helping to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 develop healthy eating habits. In addition, children adopt healthy lifestyles as they engage in activities that promote regular exercise and enable them to gain fresh air. They benefit from plenty of clear play space in the home, enabling them to develop their crawling skills safely. In additional, they participate in outings to places that challenge their physical skills, such as to the ball pool centre.

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and outcomes for children

Children's independence is fostered well at meal times as the childminder encourages them to develop their self care skills. Children are happy and settled and interested to learn. They have excellent opportunities to develop their language and communication skills as the childminder talks to them during play, holding their attention well at all times while they babble in reply. Children enjoy looking at books as the childminder points out familiar animals and objects, helping to develop their vocabulary. Children have excellent opportunities to be creative as the childminder enables them to explore while using paint and drawing materials. They are able to explore texture while using a broad range of media, such as oats, play foam, jelly and corn flour. Children enjoy listening to music and respond well as the childminder sings to them. They develop their awareness of technology as they use a range of electronic toys that make sounds and they make connections

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and outcomes for children

as they press the buttons to make things move. They have good opportunities to learn about the environment through regular outings in the local community to the library and children's groups. Overall, opportunities for children to enjoy and achieve and develop their skills for the future are outstanding as the childminder ensures no time is wasted and keeps children purposefully engaged in activities that promote all areas of learning and development. She keeps good track of their progress and identifies their learning priorities 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 1 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 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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