Kensington and Chelsea College

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 130410 Inspection date 24/03/2011 Inspector Sally Smith

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and 13 years in Watford, Hertfordshire. The whole of the house is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family has a dog, three guinea pigs and one rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for five children in the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She also provides care for children aged over five years. The childminder takes children to local parks, shops and schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She holds a recognised early years qualification.

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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 has a sound understanding of child development which has been enhanced through gaining a recognised early years qualification. Positive relationships are established with parents and carers, enabling her to effectively support each child's welfare and development. Self-evaluation provides an accurate assessment of her practise, whilst identifying areas for further development.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that written parental permission is requested at the time of the child's admission to the provision, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 28/04/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop observations further to consistently make links to the 'Development matters' prompts to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress  improve the written risk assessment further so that it covers anything with which a child may come into contact. 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 is confident in her knowledge of safeguarding procedures and her responsibilities to report any concerns. She demonstrates a clear understanding of whom to contact so that children are protected from harm. A written child protection policy is shared with parents, clearly informing them both of their own and the childminder's responsibility in this process. The childminder and her husband have undertaken appropriate vetting procedures ensuring they are suitable to work with children. The childminder is conscious of the need to ensure that the environment in which children play is safe and ticks a daily checklist to show this has been done. She discusses safety issues with children so that they develop self-awareness, for example, picking toys up off the floor so that they do not trip over. However, whilst the childminder maintains a more detailed written record of risk assessments, it does not identify all hazards that children come into

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the early years provision

contact with and how these are minimised. The childminder has obtained new contracts but these do not ask for consent to seek any necessary emergency medical treatment for children in her care, potentially compromising their health and well-being. Children play in a well-organised environment where resources are accessible and meet the age range of children attending.

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the early years provision

Effective partnerships with parents and carers are established. They are warmly welcomed into the childminder's home and encouraged to discuss any anxieties they may have about their child's welfare, care and development. The childminder recognises that parents are central to children's well-being so regularly promotes a two-way exchange of information. She welcomes parents comments so that together they can consistently meet children's individual needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder evaluates her service, highlighting her strengths and priorities for improvement. She embraces training enthusiastically to develop and enhance her knowledge and skills. She assesses the impact training has for her practise and how it can be utilised to promote positive outcomes for children. She is keen to develop her own interests through training, identifying special educational needs as a future priority.

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and outcomes for children

Since the last inspection, the childminder has completed a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3. She has found this most helpful in her understanding of child development and consolidating her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. She provides sessions that are interesting and fun-filled, ensuring children are stimulated and actively engaged in all that they do. The childminder plans effectively and imaginatively to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 make learning practical in nature and inspiring to all children in her care. Good use is made of all the available space so that children have plenty of opportunity to move freely and spread out on the floor with their toys.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress because they are looked after well, interactions with the childminder are effective and links with parents and carers are productive. The childminder observes children in their play, linking what she sees to the six areas of learning, recognising that these are often inter-related. Learning journeys record these observations along with photographic evidence. Whilst the childminder assesses the progress children make she does not consistently link this to the 'Development matters' prompts to plan the next steps in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans activities in response to children's interests. For example, the fish tank in the lounge prompts much discussion and children love to watch the fish swimming around. The children are taken to a large aquatic centre nearby where they can see a variety of marine life. The tanks are low enabling all of the children, even those in pushchairs, to view everything quite easily. Children also delight in visiting the reptile house to see the lizards, snakes and large spiders. Children enjoy playing in the outdoor environment, whether this be in the garden or going on woodland walks. They observe the trees, animals and birds and thoroughly enjoy bug hunts. Binoculars and magnifying glasses enable children to scrutinise and observe things at close hand. Useful reference books develop and consolidate children's knowledge further as they begin to recognise and identify the various insects and birds they find.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides healthy snacks and meals and all children eat heartily. They regularly participate in cooking activities, purchasing ingredients from the shops and then weighing and measuring these to make a cake, for example. Children often take a picnic with them when they go on a day out, sometimes prepared by the childminder or on other occasions prepared by their parents. The childminder requests that lunch boxes include a range of healthy options in preference to chocolate, sweets and crisps. Equality and diversity is promoted through explanations and discussions. For example, whilst changing a child's nappy, another child notes a birthmark and asks what it is. This is sensitively handled by the childminder who explains that everyone is different and points to the moles on her skin. She explains that this is what makes each person special and unique. Various resources positively portray different cultural family groups

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and outcomes for children

and people with disabilities, whilst children dress-up in a variety of different cultural clothes. Children are happy and participate with great enjoyment in everything they do. 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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