Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY250362 Inspection date 14/03/2011 Inspector Pamela Bailey

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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, who is registered as her assistant, in the London borough of Southwark, close to schools, parks, shops and public transport links. The childminder's home is situated on the first floor of a block of flats with access to a lift. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years old at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. This number may be increased when working with an assistant. The childminder is currently minding three children in the early years age group, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder attends local parent/toddler groups and takes children to the local library and parks. The childminder is a member of the

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Description of the childminding

National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 is focussed on helping all children to make good progress in their learning and development, and to promote their welfare well overall. Positive relationships have been established with parents/carers and these make a strong contribution to ensuring that each child's needs are met. Effective arrangements exist to ensure the children's safety and health. Self-evaluation by the childminder ensures that any priorities for further development are acted on, resulting in a service that is responsive to the needs of its users.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the record of risk assessment includes information on who conducted it, date of review and any action following a review or incident (Documentation) 28/03/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 improve further the assessment arrangements to provide a clearer link with the expectations of the early learning goals and a secure basis on which to plan the next steps of children's learning  improve opportunities for parents to be involved in the decision making about This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. Effective procedures are in place for identifying any child at risk of harm and liaising with the appropriate child agencies. The childminder is vigilant about safety and takes effective steps to eliminate risks and hazards to children. She carries out risk assessments both inside her home and on outings, and ensures that children are supervised well. Most records are well maintained. However, the record of risk assessment for her home does not include all the information as stated in the specific legal requirement relating to this. Nonetheless, this has no impact on the safety and well-being of children. Good arrangements are in place to promote children's health and prevent the spread of infection. The childminder ensures that she maintains a current first aid certificate. This means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of each child's background and needs. Parents are encouraged to share what they know about their child with the childminder from their initial meeting. A regular exchange of information with parents through the childminder's comprehensive written polices and procedures and daily discussions provides parents with good information about the childminding service, their child's well-being and achievements. Letters received from parents include positive comments in respect of the good service provided by the childminder and achievements their children have made. However, opportunities to actively seeks the views of parents and involve them in contributing to the decision making about the provision have not been fully explored. Although, there are no children currently attending other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage, the childminder is aware of the need

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the early years provision

to liaise with other providers to ensure her provision enhances the early years experiences children receive elsewhere.

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the early years provision

The childminder manages her time effectively and makes sound use of the local resources and amenities. She is committed to attending further childcare training and development courses to ensure that she has sufficient knowledge of current childcare practices to support the care and learning of children. The childminder has been successful in making improvements. For example, the childminder has improved the range of resources to include sand and water play. This gives children more opportunities to explore a varied range of natural materials and textures. Many of the play resources reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability. This helps children to begin to gain an understanding of the wider world and accept differences. The childminder has also fully addressed the recommendations raised at the last inspection which have resulted in improved partnership with parents and promotes children's health and safety.

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the early years provision

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 has a secure understanding of how children learn and develop. Children benefit from the well-organised, safe environment where they receive lots of warmth and affection from the childminder. Their confidence and self-esteem are increasing as they respond to praise and encouragement from the childminder, which has a positive impact on their behaviour. Children confidently choose resources and begin to develop a sense of responsibility as they help to tidy them away. This supports their physical and emotional well-being and gives them the confidence to explore new experiences. They also receive nutritious snacks and meals that help them to develop healthy eating habits from an early age.

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with the level of challenge that sustains their interest and enjoyment which helps them to become active and inquisitive learners. A systematic approach is used to make observations of children as they learn through play. These are use to inform individualised planning and what each child needs to learn next. However, the assessments of children's learning are not matched to developmental progress towards the early learning goals. Therefore they do not provide a secure basis on which to plan the next steps of children's learning or a clear picture of progress over time.

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and outcomes for children

Children's early communication skills are developing very well. They are keen to communicate through signs, gestures and talk. They take pleasure in making and listening to a variety of sounds and words, and are able to respond to simple requests. The childminder tunes into the different messages children attempt to convey as she talks to them about what they are doing during play, repeating words and responds to what children have to say. Activities such as story time, rhyme time and puzzles are used well to encourage children to count, recognise shapes, colours, size and to problem solve.

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and outcomes for children

Children take part in a good range of activities both indoors and outdoors that contribute to a healthy lifestyle and helps them to develop their coordination and balance. For example, indoors children show great enthusiasm for playing ball games. They throw, kick and excitedly run to retrieve the balls developing their physical skills. Children investigate using their senses. They experience a range of different textures both natural and manufactured, such as, sand and water, and play with interactive games that encourage them to explore and find out how things work. 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 3 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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