Childminder in Lambeth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY416498 Inspection date 23/06/2011 Inspector Linda Close

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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 2010. She lives with one adult member of her family and one child aged four years in Brixton in the London borough of Lambeth. The childminder lives in a house and the whole of the ground floor, and one bedroom and bathroom, on the first floor are used for childminding. The main area for children's play is the ground floor which has an open plan living area and a kitchen. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of five children under eight years of whom two may be in the early years age group at any one time. Children may access the childminder's enclosed garden at the rear of the house for outdoor play. The childminder regularly takes children to parks, commons and children's amenities. She is currently caring for two children in the early years age group who are 16 months and 10 months old respectively and they

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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

Children are well settled and happy with the childminder. They play happily in her home and benefit from worthwhile outings to parks and a children's centre in the local area which helps to extend their knowledge of people and the wider world. The childminder has a good understanding of the steps and stages of learning and she helps the children to make good progress given their age and starting points. She has established good working relationships with parents and carers. The childminder works closely with them to meet children's individual needs. The childminder evaluates her work with children effectively overall and she is constantly looking for ways to make improvements in her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the record of risk assessment to include an assessment of risks for outings and trips to every venue visited with minded children  develop further the outdoor play area to provide opportunities for investigations of the natural world, for example through providing space for children to dig, and through chimes, streamers, windmills or bubbles for children to investigate the affects of wind  review the records of written parental permissions from parents for children to take part in outings to make sure that all are correctly completed. 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 places great importance on safeguarding the children in her care. She has attended a further course since her initial childminder training to extend her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. The childminder knows what steps to take if she is worried about the children she looks after. She has contact details to hand should she need to seek support from relevant agencies about children's welfare. The childminder checks her home daily before children arrive to make sure it is safe. She records her checks and she keeps a log of time taken and any issues that arise during regular emergency evacuation practices. The childminder also thinks about how she will keep children safe on outings. However, she does not keep a record of risk assessments for all of the venues that she attends which is good practice although not a requirement of registration.

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the early years provision

This recently established childminder has made a good beginning in her self- evaluation. She considers her work carefully and maintains a 'to do' list of actions she can take to improve her provision. Many actions have been completed already and the childminder adds more as time goes by which show that she is driving improvement effectively. The childminder believes strongly in further training and she has attended many worthwhile courses including 'Heuristic Play' and how to use 'Story Sacks' which have enhanced her work. She seeks feedback from parents and carers and she takes note of their points of view. Parents write positive comments about the childminder and they are happy with all aspects of the care that she provides. She shares her policy and procedure documents with them so that they understand her approach and her responsibilities. She uses contract documents to clarify agreements, and written parental permissions are in place

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the early years provision

The childminder has arranged her home with children in mind. A dedicated area of her open plan living room is set out with toys and resources to enable children to make independent choices and they have space to play in comfort. They have access to many good quality toys which are clean and in good condition. The childminder takes out different toys and puts some back in store from time to time to maintain children's interest.

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the early years provision

The childminder actively promotes children's understanding and acceptance of diversity. She is well informed about the calendar of events and special days linked to diverse cultures and beliefs. She involves children in celebrations and activities at Chinese New Year, Eid, Holi and Father's Day to name but a few. They find out about special meals and they make greetings cards and gifts which their parents treasure.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a special interest in supporting children with additional learning needs. She is aware that children sometimes need extra support and she is ready to adjust her activities so that all children can take part. She expresses her willingness to take advice and guidance from specialist and therapists if there is a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 need although she has not been called upon to do this as yet.

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and outcomes for children

In discussion, the childminder shows that she is well informed about healthy eating for children as she describes a range of balanced meals with an international flavour. She works closely with parents who can provide meals for their children if they prefer. The childminder gives children rice cakes and a selection of tasty, colourful fresh fruits which include apples, blueberries and grapes and they eat with enjoyment. She talks to them and explains about hand washing so that they learn from an early age that clean hands before eating is important for good health.

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and outcomes for children

The children show that they feel safe in the care of the childminder in the way they come to her for a cuddle if they feel the need of comfort and reassurance. They respond to her well and tell her what they want in their own way. Children are relaxed and content because the childminder recognises their needs and she looks after them well. She changes their nappies often to keep them dry and comfortable and she notices when they are tired and they soon settle down to sleep.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has devised a very useful aide memoire which includes the steps that children take linked to the six areas of learning, and she uses this to assist her in finding out where children are up to in their learning. Her notes are clear and she indicates what children need to learn next. The childminder accurately bases her planning for future activities on her observation notes. For example, she noticed that a child was unwilling to handle messy materials and she has since offered him an ever growing range of materials to touch and explore which is successfully helping him to overcome his initial reticence.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder talks to the children as they play to help verbalise for them as they are just learning to talk. In this way she teaches them new words and encourages them to express themselves. They are given resources to make their first attempts at mark making in preparation for writing. Children often share story books with the childminder and they know how pages turn from right to left. Children learn how to behave in a reasonable manner from the childminder who is calm, pleasant and a good role model. The childminder counts out loud for the children as they play and they use construction toys to solve problems and learn how to fit things together. They play with press button toys including a toy phone and a talking book which is an early introduction to cause and effect. Children are gaining skills that will support their learning in the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children go to the local children's centre on a regular basis with the childminder which enables them to enjoy a different set of toys, activities and resources in a different environment. Activities at the children's centre include exploring materials and space. The childminder is currently developing her own outdoor play area for the children. At present, the area is in the early stages of development and does This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 not as yet provide many opportunities for exploring the natural world. 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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