Childminder in Waltham Forest

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 153649 Inspection date 24/03/2011 Inspector Jane Davenport

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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 1994. She lives with her husband and two adult sons in a residential area of Leytonstone, situated in the London borough of Waltham Forest. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. Access to the premises is via two steps at the front door.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and is currently minding three children in the early years age group on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local schools and playgroups to take and collect children. She has a pet cat and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a generally sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She provides children with a comfortable, family orientated environment and supports them to make satisfactory progress overall towards the early learning goals. Partnerships with parents are good and most of the required documentation is in place. However, some of the welfare requirements relating to risk assessments and the administering of medication, are not rigorously applied at present, resulting in weaknesses in the childminder's practice. Nevertheless, recommendations from the last inspection have been addressed and the childminder has evaluated her provision, thus demonstrating a satisfactory capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain a record of risk assessments, stating clearly when they are carried out, by whom and identifying aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis (Premises, environment and equipment) 30/04/2011

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given (Promoting good health)(Also applies to the Childcare Register) 30/04/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop further the system for carrying out observations; improve frequency in order to make them more meaningful and to demonstrate a clear progression in children's learning and development .

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the early years provision

Appropriate steps are taken by the childminder to ensure that the children in her care are suitably safeguarded. She has a satisfactory understanding of child protection issues, knows some of the signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect and is aware of the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child's welfare. Children benefit from the level of supervision that they receive and the childminder takes reasonable precautions to keep them safe, both within the home environment and on outings. There are some very basic written risk assessments in place, but they lack rigour, are not signed and dated and do not include all aspects of the care environment. Therefore some risks have not been fully assessed, which potentially compromises children's safety. This is a breach of a specific legal requirement. The childminder maintains generally appropriate records relating to accidents and medication. She usually obtains prior written permission

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the early years provision

from parents before administering medication, however, on occasion, she has omitted to do this and this is a further breach of requirements.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides an inclusive service, where the individual needs of every child are taken into account. An appropriate range and deployment of resources ensure that children have easy access to choose what they wish to play with. Children learn about the wider world through resources such as books and dolls, which contain positive images of diversity, and by celebrating some of the different religious and cultural festivals, such as Diwali and Guru Nanak's birthday.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed good relationships with parents and supports them well. Information is shared on a regular and ongoing basis so that parents are aware of their children's participation and progress at the setting. Parents have supplied written testimonials which indicate how pleased they are with the care provided and they comment specifically on the 'loving, caring family environment'. The childminder is also aware of the benefits of working in partnership with other professionals. She recognises the importance of evaluating her provision and the recommendations raised at her last inspection have been addressed. She has completed a hard copy version of the Ofsted self-evaluation form and demonstrates a satisfactory capacity for maintaining continuous improvement. This is supported by the fact that she has attended updated training courses in first aid, safeguarding, special educational needs and 'what's in your food' since her last

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the early years provision

inspection. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development because the childminder provides a range of activities to meet the six areas of learning. The childminder has a very calm, patient approach and children are settled in her care. They demonstrate their attachment to her by seeking her out for cuddles and they giggle as she tickles them playfully. The childminder has made a good start with her Early Years Foundation Stage observations of the children, making them detailed with links to the areas of learning and plans for children's next steps. Scrapbooks containing photographs and examples of the children's work are also shared with parents. However, although observations are detailed, they are not completed on a regular basis and, as such, do not currently show a clear progression in children's learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Young children's language is developing well as the childminder talks to them about what they are doing and they attempt to say words back to her. They enjoy looking at books with her and point to the pictures as she reads the story. They are also attempting early writing skills as they participate in mark making activities on the white boards provided. Cause and effect toys teach young children how things work and that if they push a button a musical sound is created. They are beginning to solve problems for themselves by finding the appropriate openings to post shapes into the shape sorter. Children's personal social and emotional development and creativity are promoted during the regular outings undertaken to local pre-school groups and childminder drop-ins, where they meet up and socialise with other children and participate in messy play activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being is adequately supported. The childminder liaises with parents to store and prepare meals provided by them for their children in accordance with their wishes. Any special dietary requirements are recorded and catered for and children receive healthy snacks of fresh fruit with fresh drinking water, which is available to them throughout the session. Messages about healthy lifestyles are reinforced through the many posters on display featuring fresh fruits and vegetables. Children benefit from play and exercise in the fresh air on walks and when playing in the rear garden. Children's behaviour is good. The childminder has some simple house rules, which are consistently applied and she positively reinforces good behaviour with praise and rewards. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Early Years section of the report (Records to be kept) 30/04/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Early Years section of the report (Records to be kept) 30/04/2011

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