Childminder in Croydon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY346693 Inspection date 15/03/2011 Inspector Gillian Cubitt

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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 registered 2007. She lives with her three school age children in a house in West Croydon, close to main line services and bus routes. There is parking outside the childminder's home. Children use the main downstairs lounge for play and have access to the garden to the rear of the home. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children overall. There are two children on roll in the early years age group. The childminder collects children from local schools. She takes children to toddler groups, children's centres and local parks.

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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 provides an inclusive environment where children make good progress in almost all areas of their learning. They are able to choose from an extensive range of excellent resources. Children are safe and secure and this is fully supported through generally good partnerships with parents and others who work with the children. The childminder is enthusiastic in her commitment to continuously improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend opportunities for parents to participate in helping to evaluate the strengths of the provision and areas for development through more detailed feedback forms, for example  develop areas in the garden to engage children in exploring their natural environment through caring for plants, for example.

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the early years provision

The childminder's good comprehension of the procedures to safeguard children means that children in her care are very safe. All adults in her household are cleared through the vetting process and the childminder knows exactly when and how to inform the correct services if she has any concerns about children. The comprehensive procedures to oversee the areas where children play, both inside and outside the home, reinforce children's well-being in a continuously monitored, risk-assessed environment. The childminder considers the individual risks to each child taking into account their age and level of understanding. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder organises her home and documents well. Children's routines flow naturally throughout the day because the childminder manages her time very well. This ensures children enjoy time to engage in quality play as well as relax and rest.

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the early years provision

Her home has a personal, homely, inclusive atmosphere where children enjoy looking at their photographs of themselves and their friends. The childminder deploys her resources extremely well, constantly reviewing what she has so that children have excellent choices, stimulating their development and curiosity. For example, props such as dressing up clothes support children's participation in nursery rhymes. This in turn effectively supports their communication, language and literacy skills in a relevant and meaningful way. The childminder's constant appraisal of her setting means that consideration is given to improvements such as her on going understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is proactive in seeking new ways to record and assess children's progress and has purchased up to date literature to aid her in improving outcomes for children. The childminder also reflects on the messages children receive about diversity and promotes this

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the early years provision

through her resources and by continuously seeking out the best ways to embrace differences in others. To meet these needs she makes the best use of local facilities such as libraries and Children's Centres. Her drive for continuous improvement is constant.

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the early years provision

There is a particularly good relationship between parents and the childminder, with a continuous verbal two-way flow of information. Parents have copies of the key policies such as safeguarding and know how to raise any concerns. Parents are warmly invited to view and discuss the ongoing records of observations and assessments on their children and the best use is made of photographs which clearly illustrate how children make very good progress. The childminder believes in taking the parents' lead in what works best for their child and the two-way verbal communication is good. However, the feedback form encouraging parents to contribute to the evaluation of the childminder's strengths and weaknesses is not effectively used to help her make improvements to her provision. The childminder demonstrates how she would work well with other professionals if appropriate to develop the close partnerships to support children. She has already

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the early years provision

works well with other childminders and made successful connections with local Children's Centres children also attend.

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and outcomes for children

Children have access to an excellent variety of toys and resources that fully support their play and help them to thrive in their learning and development. Children are extremely happy and content and have a wonderful time. They develop a good sense of independence as they fulfil their need to explore, playing enthusiastically in an exceptionally well resourced home environment and extending this through regular visits to Sure Start Children's Centres. Here, their personal and social skills develop because they make friends with other children and they learn to share toys and help each other in their play. Children enjoy choosing books and singing songs during rhyme time. They look at pictures which This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 reinforces their understanding that print has meaning. Children count confidently and the childminder extends this by singing nursery rhymes using fingers and

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and outcomes for children

children count objects such as wheels on cars. They demonstrate excellent communication skills and are highly expressive. Children show curiosity and enjoy practical creative play such as dressing up and joining in with movement and dancing whilst playing percussion instruments. Children's physical skills are promoted in every way from excellent use of small world and pop-up interactive toys, to having opportunities to extend their larger physical skills by using larger equipment and apparatus in outside activities. They learn about their world through some very good resources such as books and puzzles. Children also enjoy joining in with others to explore different cultures and customs that are appropriate to their level of understanding. Children observe nature during their adventures to local parks; however, the childminder has not developed activities to support children's understanding of the natural world.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy being with the childminder and relate to her extremely well. The childminder is fully aware of the six areas of learning and all her activities link to improving children's outcomes. Her written observations are excellent and clearly show the very good progress children are making. These are supported with an interesting range of photographs which both children and parents enjoy seeing.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well because children respond to the childminder's kind guidance and respond well to the encouragement and praise and hugs which promote children's happy disposition and self-esteem. Children learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder is rigorous in her assessment of risks. Children know they must remain close to the childminder especially when visiting public places. Very young children wear reigns during the early stages of walking to ensure they do not wander too far. The children stop at roads and practice at listening for the sound of cars which helps to raise their awareness of hazards of traffic. Children acquire healthy hygiene habits because the childminder introduces them to good routines in their personal hygiene which is encouraged from a very early age. Children's dietary needs are discussed and regularly reviewed with parents. Children enjoy fruit snacks, home cooked meals and they have am accessible

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and outcomes for children

water machine so they can help themselves when they are thirsty. 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 1 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 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 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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