Childminder in Kingston upon Thames

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY416386 Inspection date 04/04/2011 Inspector Christine Stimson

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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 October 2010. She lives with her husband and two children, one of whom is in the early years age range. They live in a house in Surbiton in the London borough of Kingston-upon-Thames. The premises is located close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding, but children only access upstairs to take their rest in a travel cot or to use the bathroom facilities. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to take and collect children from the local school and attend several venues on a regular basis with younger children.

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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 encourages child-initiated play by providing children with a wide range of colourful, age appropriate toys set out to encourage independence. Children are cared for by a childminder who is kind and caring. They play in a safe environment where they are happy and settled. Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals, as the childminder provides opportunities for activities that cover the six areas of learning. Children have their needs met effectively by the childminder who establishes friendly and professional links with parents. The childminder has not yet developed links with other childcare providers. The childminder strives for continuous improvement by embracing training opportunities as they arise. She includes parents when evaluating her practice to enhance the quality of the provision. Regular risk assessments are carried out to ensure children play in a safe environment.

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further?

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

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further?

 consider using dates on children's next step notes to show goals have been achieved  ensure practitioners from each setting regularly share children's development and learning records and any other relevant information when children attend other settings. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Safeguarding children is important to the childminder who has attended a course to ensure she has a good understanding of child protection issues. She is secure in how she will proceed if she has concerns about a child in her care. All adults in the household have undergone vetting procedures to ensure their suitability to be with children. Risk assessments are carried out by the childminder on her home, the outdoor area and for all outings undertaken with children. These are regularly reviewed with action taken if hazards arise. The childminder maintains regulatory documentation to further safeguard children. She has an evacuation procedure for her home and this has been practised with children to help them learn how to leave the premises quickly and safely in an emergency.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a lot of toys for the children attending that are age and stage appropriate and a number of these reflect diversity. For example, the play figures depict people wearing glasses, people from other cultures and people with disabilities. These are used as part of children's integral play. The childminder has attended a number of training courses since becoming registered to help develop her practice and improve outcomes for children. She intends to continue to embrace training opportunities as part of her continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established friendly and professional relationships with parents, who spend time chatting with the childminder when collecting their children. Inclusive practice is promoted as the childminder provides a contact log between her and the parents she works for. Within the log the childminder details how she meets children's personal needs and provides some details of their day with her. Parents are invited to add their own comments to ensure continuity of care. The childminder has a number of policies and procedures relating to her practice and these are shared with parents when children first start in her care. Parents are invited to sign these to show they have been read and understood.

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the early years provision

Each child, in the care of the childminder, has a learning journey containing photos of their achievements together with written observations. These are linked to areas of learning, with next steps noted. The childminder does not undertake written planning for children, but uses her next step notes to plan activities for them. However, these are not dated to help track the progress children are making. The childminder has yet to establish links with other childcare providers so that information can be exchanged on learning and development. The childminder evaluates her practice by asking parents to complete feedback forms and questionnaires. From these, the childminder can gauge parents' opinions and take steps to improve outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are helped to feel secure in the childminder's home because they are treated with kindness and consideration. They enjoy the toys provided by the childminder and initiate their own play with the childminder alongside to support and develop learning. For example, a child tries to push play figures through the windows and openings of a toy boat and becomes frustrated when one does not fit. The childminder moves the boat slightly, speaks words of encouragement to the child and eventually the play figure drops in to the joy of the child. Children are well behaved because they are occupied and engaged in activities and the childminder is quick to praise children's efforts and achievements. Older children are given small responsibilities such as tidying away toys.

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and outcomes for children

Children are taken on lots of outings to various venues while in the care of the childminder. They visit soft play centres and playgrounds and this helps to develop children's physical skills. The childminder takes children to playgroups where they mix with other children and learn to socialise, share and take turns. The childminder states that the younger children in her care love company and really enjoy these outings. Children are learning to enjoy books. They press buttons on books to make sounds and love looking at the pictures. They sit close to the childminder who asks children about what they can see and makes animal noises to engage children in the pictures and stories. Children point out birds in the garden to the childminder and they love being outside where they explore the toys and plants. Small slides, a swing, play houses and other toys make the garden an interesting place for children to play and learn. Older children have their own

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and outcomes for children

planting area and will be growing salad vegetables and flowers as the season progresses. Younger children have opportunities to count using their fingers while having numbers up to five repeated to them as they look at objects. Children rock back and forth in response to the music being played on the radio, which is tuned into a children's channel that has lots of nursery rhymes for children to enjoy. The childminder shares children's development records with parents, making children's learning journeys available to them on a daily basis. She plans more formal meetings every other month where children's progress is discussed and ideas exchanged. There is a verbal exchange of information at collection times where the childminder discusses the child's day, food intake and any changes in moods.

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and outcomes for children

Children follow routines while in the childminder's care and are learning about good hygiene procedures. For example, the childminder makes sure children's hands are washed or wiped prior to them eating. Older children wash their hands after using the toilet and have their own towels provided. This helps prevent cross infection. Children have access to activities both indoors and in the garden, which is a safe environment. For example, a child discovers a windmill that is standing in a plant pot and spinning slowly in the wind. She puts her fingers on it to stop it from turning and laughs when they let go and it starts to turn again. Diverse resources are available in the form of play figures, dolls, books and puzzles. This helps children gain an understanding of diversity. Children are learning to keep themselves safe. For example, younger children are strapped into buggies when out and about. Older children hold the buggy and are asked by 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 whether they think it is safe to cross the road. Children are made aware from a young age about signs at crossings like the green man. Children are making a good start in their learning journey while in the care of the childminder. 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 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 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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