Childminder in Barnet

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 147146 Inspection date 14/03/2011 Inspector Rosemary Coburn

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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 1996. She lives with her husband and 16-year- old son in a three bedroom house in the North Finchley area in London Borough of Barnet. The entire ground floor, comprising of the lounge, conservatory, kitchen and secure outdoor play area, are used for childminding, as well as one bedroom and the first floor bathroom and toilet. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years, of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently five children on roll in the early years age range.

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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

Children are happy, settled and feel safe and secure within an enabling environment. The childminder's good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework is supported with effectively deployed resources both indoors and outdoors, which successfully promotes good outcomes for children in an inclusive setting. Children's welfare, learning and development needs are met through good partnership with parents, well-planned learning opportunities, effective systems for observations and assessments, and policies and procedures which promote safeguarding. Most documentation is thorough an complete. The childminder demonstrates that she has the capacity to drive ongoing improvements in the quality of the provision.

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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 of risk assessment so that it includes the signature of the person who carried it out (Documentation) 31/03/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further systems for self-evaluation to improve outcomes for children 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 has a clear understanding of child protection procedures and knows where to make referrals. She has an up-to-date first aid certificate and obtains parental consent for outings and emergency medical treatment for all children in her care. This means that if a child has an accident, or should any concerns arise with regards to the well-being of a child, suitable measures and appropriate procedures are followed. Although the childminder maintains extensive risk assessments, they are not sufficiently detailed to indentify who carried them out. Nonetheless, the childminder clearly demonstrates a good understanding of the safeguarding requirements throughout all aspects of her practice. This supports children in developing a good awareness of safety issues and an understanding of how to keep themselves safe.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from playing in a well-resourced and stimulating environment where they make good progress in all areas of learning. Good systems are in place to share relevant information and the day-to-day management of children's individual needs with parents. Good partnerships with external agencies, secure and trusting relationships with adults and children, and a good balance of child-led and adult-led activities foster active learning in an enabling environment. This promotes good outcomes for children and helps ensure that children's welfare, learning and development needs are well met. This also supports the uniqueness of the child in a suitably inclusive environment which positively promotes equality and diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder's understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the provision, and how she can build on what has been accomplished so far, help to reinforce her vision for continuous improvement. Continuous monitoring and analysis support the quality of the setting's self-evaluation and, as a result, outcomes for children continue to improve.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has developed good systems for observations, assessment and evaluation. These include photographic evidence to provide information about children's achievements and include the next steps of learning to for each child. Children have safe and easy access to good learning opportunities which promote children's independence in selecting activities. The effectively deployed resources, both indoor and outdoors, support the needs of all children within a suitable inclusive environment. For example, children develop skills for the future while their knowledge and understanding of the world is supported as they use suitable tools and gardening equipment to plant and grow vegetables. When one young child found a ladybird, the children brought it into the living room where they selected child-sized magnifying glasses to observe the creature more closely. Children engage in meaningful discussion with each other while the childminder

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effectively supports and extends their learning experience.

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and outcomes for children

Children play and learn in a clean and suitably maintained environment where they learn that good daily routines and personal hygiene practices prevent cross infection. For example, after playing in the sand tray children come in one by one and wash their hands in a bowl containing clean, warm, soapy water. Children work collaboratively to set the table with place mats and child-sized cutlery. Then each child carried their own plate of chicken, vegetables and potatoes to the table. The childminder reminded them to keep their 'fingers on the outside of the plate'. The childminder sat at the table with the children.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from playing in an environment which is child centred and provides them with ample opportunities to initiate their own play safely. For example, outside children decided to play on the slide. Each child waited for their turn to use the slide. The childminder placed a soft mat at the bottom on which to land and the children took turns excitedly sliding down onto the soft mat at the bottom of the slide. After which the children went on to play football and took turns in kicking the ball into the goal. Children have easy and safe access to play experiences and resources that are stimulating and suitable for the development of children of all ages

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and outcomes for children

Children develop skills for the future and have their individual interests supported through well planned focus activities. For example, one child pointed to a collage attractively displayed on the wall which depicted firemen, fire trucks and fire fighting equipment. The child talked with great confidence about an upcoming trip to the local fire station. Planned learning opportunities also include making models for special days, which include using a range of different size tools, paint brushes and craft materials. Easy access to information technology resources extend children's learning. Children are supported in using the mouse and they confidently use different search engines on the internet to find out about the role of different charities.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder knows the children well. She constantly praises their efforts to join in all activities. Toys, play materials and the effective deployment of resources support the needs of all children and show positive images of people with different abilities from different parts of the world living different ways of life. Consequently, children feel good about themselves and learn to enjoy respectful relationships with adults and each other as they begin to develop a positive attitude towards diversity. 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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