Childminder in Waltham Forest

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY344432 Inspection date 07/04/2011 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 2006. She lives with her husband and three daughters aged 12, 17 and 21 years in a house, which is situated in North Chingford in the London borough of Waltham Forest. The whole of the ground floor at the rear of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under the age of eight 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 one child in the early years age group. The childminder has a pet cat. She 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a welcoming and enabling environment, where the deployment of resources is excellent. The childminder knows each of the children well and this enables her to meet their individual care needs appropriately. She has made a good start with children's observations and assessments and is able to plan activities which are well matched to their interests and abilities. As a result, children's welfare is effectively promoted and children make good progress in their development and learning. The childminder maintains effective communication with parents and other professionals. Although self-evaluation systems are in their infancy at present, nevertheless, the childminder demonstrates a commitment and capacity to maintain continuous improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the system for self-evaluation to further promote continual improvement in the service provided  develop the current system of planning and assessments to ensure that observations are linked to the six areas of learning and next steps for individual children's learning are clearly identified

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good commitment to keeping children safe and ensures that their welfare is of paramount importance. She has a good knowledge of child protection issues and is confidently able to implement relevant procedures This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in the event of a concern being raised about a child's safety and welfare. The childminder is vigilant about supervising children at all times and safety equipment is in place to prevent accidents. Effective risk assessments indoors and for outings ensure that any potential hazards are managed, and risks are eliminated.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well organised and promotes an enabling, inclusive environment where children are helped to value different aspects of their own and other people's lives. Children settle well and feel confident within the childminder's home, making choices and gaining a sense of belonging. She encourages children to take the lead in their play, allowing them to make choices from the excellent range of resources available and then supports them by extending their language skills, problem solving and thought processes. Resources are very effectively organised, both indoors and out, to promote children's independence and develop active learning.

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the early years provision

Effective partnerships are established with parents. Written testimonials from the parents regarding the childminding service are very positive, for example, they refer to her as being 'very reliable and trustworthy' and state that children 'thoroughly enjoy their time with her.' The childminder values the information shared with her to support her in meeting children's individual needs and there are good systems in place to share this information with other early years providers. Although the childminder has not yet completed a formal self-evaluation of her provision, she is reflective about her practice and committed to maintaining continuous improvements. She has addressed the recommendation made at her last inspection and is proactive in seeking out relevant training courses that will enhance the service she offers to children and their families. For example, since her last inspection, she has attended training courses in safeguarding, first aid,

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and outcomes for children

Children are well settled and relate warmly to the childminder in the familiar environment. She is warm, caring and patient with the children, ensuring that she divides her time and attention equally. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has made a good start with her observations and assessments. Although they do not currently contain next steps for children or links to the six areas of learning, nevertheless, she is able to demonstrate verbally that she understands these aspects and children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. Resources and activities are set out very imaginatively, both indoors and in the large rear garden. Children enjoy a free flow between the different areas and they eagerly and happily explore the wide choice of imaginative and challenging opportunities that are available. For example, children concentrate well at a fishing game, learning about the properties

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and outcomes for children

of magnets and turning the handle on the fishing rod as they reel in the line. The childminder encourages them to hold the line steady until the magnets attach and the children give a big cheer as they name the colour of each fish that is caught. Children's language and thought processes develop well as the childminder talks to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them and asks them open-ended questions about what they are doing.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very creative and this is, once again, promoted through a range of well thought out resources. For example, at the arts and crafts activity set out for the children in the garden, they are provided with numerous opportunities to develop their imagination and creativity. They can choose from water colour paints, sponge painting or sequins, pom-poms and shells for their collages. They enjoy drawing shapes of Easter eggs and people and cutting around the outline with scissors or pinking shears, showing very good hand-eye coordination as they do so. Children are confident and assertive in asking for what they want, saying, 'I need a glue stick please,' and they receive lots of praise from the childminder for their achievements. Their physical development is promoted as they master new skills, such as learning to ride a scooter.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about the world around them in various ways. Some prominently displayed posters contain positive images and promote interesting discussions about differences. Children consider the needs of living things as they find some ants in the garden and the childminder encourages them to watch but not hurt them. The childminder listens, watches and responds sensitively to each child. Consistent, positive interactions enable children to feel secure and to thrive as they develop independence and self-motivation. The childminder is a good role model. She is calm, listens to the children and shows respect in all that they do. She gives plenty of praise for their efforts and acknowledges when they are kind to each other. In response to this, children are learning to behave well and to be considerate of other people's feelings.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn how eating well and taking exercise has a positive impact on their health. The childminder provides healthy alternatives for them such as fresh fruit, mild lentil curry with naan bread and jacket potatoes with tuna. A jug of water and cups are set out on a table so that children can help themselves to fresh drinking water whenever they wish, which ensures that they remain well hydrated. The childminder reminds them not to sit in the direct sunlight for too long and provides shade for them for their protection. Children learn good hygiene routines, washing their hands at appropriate times. Practising the emergency evacuation procedure on a regular basis means that they become used to what to do in the event of a genuine emergency and learning good road safety routines helps them begin to understand how to keep themselves safe. 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 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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