Childminder in Sutton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY242604 Inspection date 19/05/2011 Inspector Sandra Jeffrey

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and seven, in a house in Beddington, Sutton. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and includes a dedicated playroom and toilet facilities. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a pet rabbit and a cat.

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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 is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years, three of whom may be in the early years age range. There are currently 10 children in the early years age range on roll, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder also cares for older 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 provides a comfortable and welcome environment and meets children's welfare and learning requirements well. She has an excellent understanding of the children's individual needs and ensures that all children are valued. Warm and trusting relationships are fostered, therefore, enabling children to feel safe and secure. The childminder is enthusiastic and establishes good partnerships with parents and others involved in the care of the children. Consequently children's consistency of care and learning is good and children are progressing very well. The childminder reflects on her practice and is able to recognise her strengths and areas for improvement and shows good commitment to continually developing and improving the service she provides.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the information provided to parents in relation to the complaints procedure is regularly reviewed and updated as necessary  consider ways to improve hygiene measures in relation to nappy changing practice  extend the opportunities to promote children's understanding of equality and diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her role in relation to safeguarding children and ensures parents are made aware of her responsibilities through This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effective written polices and procedures. All household members are vetted to establish their suitability and visitors are required to complete the visitor's log book. Children play in a safe environment because the childminder effectively minimises potential hazards by conducting regular risk assessments within the home and before embarking on trips out in the local community. Comprehensive written records are kept of these risk assessments, enabling the childminder to review and evaluate them.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming and child centred environment. Children can independently select from a substantial variety of very well maintained resources that support their play and learning very well. Children's choice and independence are very well fostered with the addition of pictorial and written labels on the boxes and drawers that the toys are stored in. The home is brightly and warmly decorated throughout and there is a good selection of children's artwork, photographs of the children and various artefacts that help them feel at home. The childminder organises her home to maximise children's comfort and enjoyment and children evidently feel at ease in the setting, where the childminder ensures they all feel truly welcomed. The childminder enthusiastically dedicates her time to them, getting down to their level and playing with them, in order to fully enhance their learning experiences.

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the early years provision

The childminder values diversity and respects differences, which is reflected in all aspects of her service. She finds out about children's backgrounds and culture and asks parents if there are any special events that she can celebrate with them in order to meet their individual needs. However, opportunities to promote a positive view of the wider world are not fully extended as the range of celebrations children learn about does not fully reflect the wider world.

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the early years provision

Fire safety precautions are comprehensive and include emergency evacuation drills, which are regularly carried out, ensuring that children are familiar with the procedure. The childminder has an up-to-date first aid certificate and all appropriate medical information and consents in place to promote the safety and wellbeing of the children. Generally effective procedures are in place to promote the good health of the children; although, the mat used when changing children's nappies is not cleaned after each use, this does not fully support children's health.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are good and ensure each child's individual needs are met well. When reviewing her setting, the childminder takes into account feedback from parents and uses this information to help improve outcomes for children. Questionnaires that the childminder asks parents to complete show that parents are very happy with the service the childminder provides. Parents have access to information about the setting including extensive policies and procedures that the childminder has produced. The information parents receive in relation to the complaints procedure is duplicated in several forms, but some of these have not been updated to reflect changes of address and telephone numbers for Ofsted. This reduces there effectiveness. Good systems to promote partnerships with other professionals involved in the care of the children are in place.

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the early years provision

The childminder sets herself high standards and has a clear vision for the future; she is enthusiastic and committed to the continual development of her service. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder regularly attends training, with the knowledge that this promotes and enhances the welfare, learning and development opportunities for all children in her care. To this end she has recently successfully obtained a Level 3 qualification in child care, learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is very attentive towards the children. She spends all of her time playing with them, talking to them and effortlessly meeting their care needs, which helps the children feel welcome. Children evidently feel secure and comfortable in their environment and have formed strong bonds with the childminder; as was confirmed by a parent spoken to during the inspection. The children's interests and needs are at the forefront of the childminder's planning for their individual next steps in their learning journey, which ensures their developmental needs, are met to a high standard.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a good selection of resources and activities that help develop their communication and literacy skills. They receive good opportunities to recognise and practise writing letters that are familiar to them; including those in their names that are displayed on the daily attendance board and the 'letter of the week' theme. They have access to a good selection of books and various writing implements including white boards and pens. The childminder skilfully interacts with the children, using repetition to help children learn new words and simple sentences. Early maths and problem solving skills are developing well as children are encouraged to count everyday objects, play matching and sorting games and explore different shapes as part of the 'number and shape of the week' theme.

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and outcomes for children

Children have access to a good range of resources that effectively promote their skills for the future, including various electronic and interactive toys; older children are permitted to use the computer. Children enjoy good opportunities to develop creative skills with an array of art and craft activities including painting and gluing.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a very kind and caring disposition. She is calm and gentle with the children, displaying genuine care and affection for them which helps children develop high levels of self-esteem. Children are encouraged to be kind and considerate to each other. They are gently reminded to share toys and to give each other a cuddle following minor disputes.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes detailed observations of children's achievements that are used to plan future learning experiences. She ensures activities build on children's existing knowledge and skills, in partnership with parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children's physical development is fostered well; they take part in the various outdoor activities and play hopscotch in the garden. The childminder actively encourages healthy eating. Parents are asked to provide healthy and nutritious food for their children. Children are given reward stickers as an incentive for bringing fruit to eat, which further encourages healthy choices. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensures children have access to drinks throughout the day, so they remain hydrated and do not become thirsty. 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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