Childminder in Lewisham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY260607 Inspection date 08/03/2011 Inspector Liz Coffey

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and five years. They live in a three bedroom house in Forest Hill, in the London Borough of Lewisham. The whole of the house is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

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 a maximum of three children under eight years, of whom three may be in the early years age group at any one time. The childminder is currently minding three children in the early years and one child over eight years. Children attend for a variety of part- time placements. The childminder does not provide overnight care.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the Lewisham Childminding Network. She has completed the National Childminding Association Quality 1st Scheme. She speaks English and German.

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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 children are cared for in a generally safe and stimulating environment. She implements effective procedures that underpin her service. The childminder provides a wide range of activities and outings that meet children's interests and promote their development, across the six areas of learning. There are effective systems in place to ensure daily communication with parents on children's individual needs and their learning. Self evaluation is used effectively to reflect on how well the childminder is providing for the needs of the children and families she works with. The childminder continually looks for ways to improve the quality of the learning, development and care she offers.

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further?

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

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further?

 review risk assessment to ensure children are protected from hazards  develop systems for partnership working by sharing relevant information with other practitioners where children receive care and education in more than one setting This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's safety and well-being is promoted by the childminder. Documentation that is required to promote the children's welfare and development is in place and well maintained. The childminder provides details of her policies and procedures in writing, so parents can access them. The childminder has attended safeguarding training and is confident of the procedures she would follow if she has any safeguarding concerns. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. She is proactive in attending training and workshops that help extend her knowledge and skills base in relation to her childminding service.

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the early years provision

Children play mainly in the open plan living room, although all areas of the home can be used for childminding purposes. Resources are effectively organised to enable children to self-select from a range of activities. The childminder has conducted and recorded risk assessments. However, young children can still access the stairs and utensils are stored at a level that could pose a risk to children. The childminder is keen to address this whilst at the same time helping children to understand the house rules and to develop their own awareness of danger. Fire drills are routinely practised so that children are familiar with what to do in the event of an emergency. The childminder teaches the children the importance of road safety and behaving in a safe manner when out of the home.

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the early years provision

Children demonstrate a strong sense of security in the setting and are settled and relaxed in the childminder's care. All children and their families are valued and equality and diversity promoted well. Children engage in a wide range of activities that helps support their learning and development. The childminder has developed good communication systems to enhance partnership with parents. Partnerships with other settings, such as nurseries that children also attend, are less well established and the childminder is keen to further develop this aspect of her service. The childminder is a reflective practitioner who uses systems of evaluation to help identify the strengths and weaknesses of her service and to set targets for future improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a very good range of resources, experiences and activities. The childminder is very well organised in her planning and demonstrates a secure knowledge of the learning and development requirements. Activities are well- planned; the childminder is resourceful and has a wealth of good ideas to engage children. The childminder keeps a daily diary for each child, including a section for parent's comments, with information on how they have spent their day. Parents are also given photographs showing their children taking part in different activities and outings. These systems help to capture how well children are achieving in line with the early learning goals, and are used to plan effectively for next steps in individual children's learning. This helps ensure that all aspects of children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning and development are fully promoted.

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and outcomes for children

New children settle very well with the childminder because she takes time to get to know their individual likes and dislikes, and allows them to become familiar with her and her home environment in a patient and calm manner. The childminder is bi-lingual and chats to the children in English and German throughout the day, promoting their linguistic skills and enhancing their understanding and appreciation of diversity. Children enjoy their time at the setting and eagerly engage in the wide range of activities available. They participate well and are enthusiastic and keen learners. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the children as individuals and provides activities accordingly, so they offer appropriate challenge. Children are able to explore and select resources independently. Children benefit from a welcoming environment where very good relationships with the childminder and her family are established. As a result, children feel safe and secure in the

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and outcomes for children

Children's imagination and creativity is well fostered. They eagerly engage in role play pretending they are vampires, or superheroes and enjoy dressing up and using the props available. They confidently perform magic tricks making various object appear and disappear, and the childminder applauds their efforts and skill. Children concentrate intently as they play with boxes, tins and other containers and enjoy putting small objects such as shells and stones inside boxes of ever increasing size. This helps develop their mathematical and problem solving skills. They enjoy music and movement and the childminder introduces them to a range of musical instruments, including the guitar which she herself plays for them.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to become independent and develop self-care skills from a young age. They wash their hands independently before eating and help to tidy up after meals by clearing their own plates away. Children enjoy outdoor play in the garden and at local parks, such as the Horniman museum, and gardens and local playgrounds. They develop their co-ordination as they run, play ball and use the fixed playground equipment such as swings and slides. Regular outings to local toddler groups, the library and Children's centres further extend children's learning and provide new and challenging experiences for them, as well as opportunities to socialise with a wide mix of children. Parents state that the childminder makes their child feel 'part of the family' and commend the 'thorough and thoughtful written records and through photographs and discussions' that she provides of their child's progress and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children sit together with the childminder at meal times, making it a social occasion, which promotes their language and social skills. The childminder encourages healthy eating and talks with the children about why they need healthy foods. Children become involved in recycling and learn to respect the environment and it's natural resources. Children's personal care needs such as sleeping, nappy changing and toilet training are discussed with parents, and the childminder adapts her routine to supports the children's individual needs. Overall, children develop very good 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 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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