Childminder in Enfield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY410451 Inspection date 08/04/2011 Inspector Jill Nugent

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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 registered in 2010. She lives with her two children, one adult and one aged 14 years, in a house in Enfield. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a secure garden for outdoor play. The family has a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of four children, of whom three may be in the early years age group, at any one time. Currently she has two children in the early years age group on roll.

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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 offers a welcoming and safe provision for children where their individual needs are met effectively. She actively promotes children's learning through play as they participate in a variety of indoor and outdoor play activities. Children keep safe and healthy in the setting as the childminder has appropriate policies and procedures in place. She works closely in partnership with parents, encouraging them to be involved in their children's learning. She is beginning to reflect on different aspects of her childcare practice so that she can work towards continually improving the outcomes for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of self-evaluation to enable effective reflection on all aspects of the childcare practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder's documentation provides a good framework for her childcare practice. She has effective safeguarding procedures in place. Her records relating to children's health and safety are well maintained. The childminder carries out detailed risk assessments of her home, and any outings, showing the actions she takes to make sure that potential hazards are minimised effectively. She is knowledgeable about child protection issues and understands what to do if she has any concerns about children.

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the early years provision

The childminder's written policies and procedures are very clear and she provides useful information for new parents about her practice. She exchanges information This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with parents about their children's care so that she can cater for their differing needs. Children's learning journey files are easily accessible to parents, encouraging them to keep up to date with their children's progress and development. Parents express much satisfaction with the care their children receive and especially appreciate the opportunity to regularly view their children's progress files.

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the early years provision

The childminder has set up an attractive play environment for children both indoors and outdoors. Her living room provides a comfortable area where children have access to a variety of toys and games. Outdoors children enjoy the opportunity to access a selection of resources including a sand and water tray. The childminder is attentive to issues of hygiene and safety and supervises children closely, whilst encouraging their personal independence. In this way she helps children to feel secure in her care. Consequently they quickly develop a sense of belonging and enjoy their play.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the need to work in partnership with other providers and professionals in order to ensure consistency of care for all children. She has several years experience of working with children who have special educational needs and this has provided her with a good knowledge base for supporting all children. She is particularly keen on a multi-sensory approach and promotes children's learning through imaginative and creative activities. This works well in enthusing children and encouraging new skills. She is interested in seeking further training to develop her childcare practice, although she is not yet using a process of self-evaluation to identify possible aspects for further improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop close relationships with the childminder and show her much respect. They listen to her instructions and are increasingly aware of the needs and feelings of others in the group. They enjoy the company of the childminder, talking confidently with her about their own experiences and recent events. Children are encouraged to make their own decisions as they choose from a range of toys at play times or foods at mealtimes. They show a lively interest in the play activities and become excited at the prospect of different activities, for example, rushing outdoors to play with dinosaurs in the bubbly water tray. They benefit from many opportunities to explore different materials, for example, jelly or coloured spaghetti. The childminder interacts purposefully with children, asking open-ended questions which encourage children to think and express themselves.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder successfully promotes the acquisition of future skills amongst children. She extends their early literacy and numeracy skills in fun activities, for example, hiding letters and numbers in a bowl of shaving foam. Children learn to concentrate at self-chosen tasks, for instance, carefully choosing coloured blocks to balance and complete a model. They have opportunities for alternative learning experiences at play groups, parks and the library. Children learn about diversity in a wider world as they take part in creative activities linked to special festivals, for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 example, making chocolate shamrocks or painting vases for Mother's Day. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and makes use of an effective system of observational assessment to record children?s progress as learning journeys. She plans relevant activities for the future which help move

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and outcomes for children

individual children on in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children approach the childminder confidently and often initiate their own conversations. They are reminded about rules and safety issues so that they learn to keep themselves and others safe. Children are happy in the setting and make use of all the play space available so that they can play contentedly on their own or alongside others. They are inquisitive but well behaved as the childminder has appropriate strategies in place to manage individual children?s behaviour. Children benefit from the provision of a healthy menu and find out about the origins of foods when they go fruit and vegetable picking. They are encouraged to keep fit as they enjoy outdoor play in the garden at different times of the day. Children?s manipulative skills are well developed through taking part in hands-on activities, such as sowing seeds or making sandwiches. As a result children have an increasing awareness of the importance of healthy lifestyles.

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and outcomes for children

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 1 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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