Childminder in CroydonOfsted inspection, 6 Jun 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY392196 Inspection date 06/06/2011 Inspector Elizabeth Mackey

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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 2009. He lives with his wife, who is also a registered childminder, in a three bedroom house in a residential area of Croydon. The ground floor of the house is the main area used for childminding and a garden is available for outdoor play.

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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. When working on his own, the childminder is registered to care for a maximum six children under eight years at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age group. When he is working together with his wife, they may care for a maximum of 12 children under eight at any one time, of whom six may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently caring for three children in the early years age group. He also cares for school age children. Most children attend on a part time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has a level two qualification in childcare.

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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 successfully promotes all aspects of children's welfare and development and all welfare requirements are met. Children are safe and demonstrate an exceptionally strong sense of belonging in his welcoming and child centred home. Strong partnerships with parents ensure the childminder knows the children well and provides good quality care. Children make good progress in their learning given their age, ability and starting points. The childminder reflects on what he does and provides a flexible service, in order to meet the needs of the children who attend and their families.

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further?

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

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further?

 implement a system for parents to contribute to their children's development records  provide clearer definition of the identified next steps for children

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and how to safeguard the children in his care. He has attended safeguarding training and provides clear safeguarding policy and procedures. These are shared with the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 parents, which ensures they are informed of the childminders commitment to safeguard children and his practice. The childminder effectively risk assesses to ensure children can play safely in the setting. He routinely carries out fire drills with the children and promotes children's understanding of keeping safe.

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the early years provision

The children have access to an extensive range of resources that are organised to enable the children to have independent access to them. Resources reflect diversity and children have opportunities to further enhance their knowledge of diversity and equal opportunities, through experiencing and learning about festivals and celebrations from around the world. The childminder also asks parents to contribute by sharing information with the children about their customary celebrations.

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the early years provision

The childminder works well with the parents and other agencies to ensure there is continuity of care for the children being looked after. The childminder uses the parents and children's opinions to aid the self-evaluation process; however, there is not a current system for parents to contribute to their children's development records. The childminder is keen to ensure the setting is responsive to its users and their ideas and suggestions are taken on board. Parents feedback they are extremely happy with the care and education their children receive; they say 'the childminder offers a friendly and enthusiastic environment for the children', and 'we particularly enjoy the way the setting provides fun and learning activities' that help children to develop. The childminder is able to highlight his key strengths in the setting and the areas for future development through the self evaluation process. He is able to maintain continuous improvement as he continually seeks

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the early years provision

out regular training sessions to further develop his knowledge and understanding of childcare practices.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and extremely settled at the childminder's home. The childminder ensures their individual needs are fully meet by the care and attention they receive. Children are confident and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging. Their autonomy and confidence is greatly encouraged and this is a notable strength of the setting. Children enjoy craft activities with the childminder, where they make the first letter of their name with an array of different lids. Children have collected the lids over several weeks and they proudly identify their initial. Children are also learning about the concept of number and count how many lids they have used.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes informative observations on the early years children in his care. Children's next steps are identified, although they are sometimes too general and do not clearly define specific steps. The childminder identifies this as an area that he needs to improve on. Children's observations are supported by beautiful photographs that capture children's engagement. The childminder plans flexibly to follow children's interests and incorporate their ideas. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The children are protected from cross infection and contamination due to the good hygiene procedures that are in place. Children stay hydrated as they have access to fresh drinking water throughout their time at the childminder's. Freshly prepared and healthy meals are given to the children, and the childminder reinforces the message about the importance of healthy eating. Children's understanding of this

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and outcomes for children

is further enhanced through their involvement in growing vegetables and herbs. The childminder has made a large growing box that is set at the children's level, and they are growing onions, carrots and dill. Children learn how to tend plants and about how living things grow. The childminder provides experiences to help children consolidate their learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has lovely established relationships with the children and he talks calmly to them and gently reinforces the boundaries in place. His interaction with the children is positive and respectful and he demonstrates a good understanding of their individual needs. Children have a good rapport with the childminder and his wife. The childminder works with the parents and the local schools to ensure the children have continuity of care. Children are well behaved and show a sense of responsibility, for example helping to tidy up and being careful around the baby. Children are developing good skills for the future through support in using a wide range of learning resources, such as the computer, camera, natural resources and a workbench and tools. Children thoroughly enjoy learning about the environment and the world around, through well planned and meaningful activities. They take regular trips to the local children's centre, parks and farms where their learning is

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and outcomes for children

enhanced because it is fun and educational for them. 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 1 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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