Crabb, Winifred Noja

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY100530 Inspection date 29/06/2011 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 was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and children aged 13 and 15 years old, in a house in a residential area of Merton Park in the London borough of Merton. The whole of the home is available for use for childminding. Children currently use the downstairs of the home, which includes a dedicated playroom. Sleeping and bathroom facilities are situated on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. When working on her own, the childminder may care for a maximum of six children under eight years old at any one time; of these, three may be in the early years age group. When working with an assistant, a maximum of ten children under eight years old may be cared for at any one time; of these, six may be in the early years age group. There are currently ten children under eight years old

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Description of the childminding

on roll, seven of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder also cares for older children. The childminder is a qualified social worker and is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder does not work on Fridays.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a highly effective learning environment for children. She has an excellent understanding of the children's individual needs and ensures her planning is tailored to their individual interests. As a result, they have a wonderful time and thrive in her exemplary care, making excellent progress in all areas of their development. Overall, exceptional systems are in place to ensure daily communication with parents, carers and others. This makes a significant contribution towards meeting children's individual needs. The childminder is a highly reflective practitioner and develops her knowledge through attending ongoing training and development opportunities. She demonstrates an outstanding capacity to maintain continuous improvement .

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 develop additional ways to keep parents fully informed about all aspects of their children's care. 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 has an excellent understanding of her role in relation to safeguarding children. She ensures that parents are made aware of her responsibilities in relation to reporting any concerns. The childminder has attended recent safeguarding training to ensure that her knowledge of protecting children is in depth and up to date. She has the required guidance and contact details, and a comprehensive written policy in place. All adults living, working and/or staying at the premises, including foreign students, are suitably vetted. Children are fully supervised at all times.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates her ambition and drive for improvement in the service she provides with enthusiasm. She sets herself high standards and has a clear vision for the future. She regularly attends training with the knowledge that this promotes and enhances the welfare, learning and development opportunities for the children in her care. To this end she has recently completed the childminding course 'a passion to be outstanding'.

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the early years provision

Children's learning is significantly enhanced by the rich and stimulating child centred learning environment and the excellent use of resources. Children readily access a wide variety of resources because the home has been organised to maximise children's comfort and enjoyment. They receive exceptional support from both the childminder and her assistant, and flourish in their care. In addition, the garden is very well equipped with a tree house, trampoline, sand and water pits, slide and climbing frame.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a fully inclusive setting where children feel valued and truly welcome. This helps children feel safe and secure, and helps them build optimum levels of self esteem and confidence. The childminder has high aspirations for the children and provides them with a meaningful range of activities and resources, which increases their understanding of diversity and consideration of others. There is an extensive selection of artefacts from around the world, including musical instruments, dressing up outfits and books. Children also enjoy activities celebrating a range of festivals and special occasions that help them to develop positive views of different cultures. For example, they make advent calendars based on how people dress from around the world.

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the early years provision

The childminder is fully committed to maintaining strong partnerships with parents and with staff from other settings the children attend. Parents receive regular updates about their child's progress and experiences through generally effective daily verbal discussions, and regular opportunities to view their children's development folders. The childminder takes photographs of the children partaking in various activities whilst they are in her care, and sends these to the parents at the end of each month. This serves as a lovely record of the children's early years. Daily comments are also added to each child's notebook, which travels between the childminder and the parents? homes. Parents are also asked to write references for the childminder and are asked their views on how the service could be improved. Parents evidenced that, overall, they are exceptionally happy with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

the service provided, although some would prefer more information about the care of their children, including what meals children eat. The childminder has taken this comment on board and plans to ensure that parents are fully updated at the end of each day.

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the early years provision

The childminder is a highly reflective practitioner and is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of her provision. She recognises that self-evaluation is the key to continuous improvement, and implements effective systems to monitor her setting. She has made excellent improvements since her last inspection, including improvements in the children's safety when playing in the garden, and improvements in their health with the use of disposable paper towels when drying their hands.

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and outcomes for children

The bright and welcoming playroom is equipped with an extensive range of stimulating activities and experiences, which are very well-planned and based around the children's individual interests. Consequently, children are fully engaged and motivated in their learning, with the excellent support afforded them by the childminder and her assistant. Children grow in confidence in the enabling environment and their sense of belonging is evident as they independently select their chosen toys and resources, and move confidently around the playroom. Children are absorbed in their activities, spending long period's of time role playing with the dressing up outfits and fully immersing themselves in their imaginative roles as ballet dancers, for example. Children have access to an excellent variety of art and craft materials, and enjoy painting and sticking with one to one support and guidance.

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and outcomes for children

Children also enjoy an abundance of outings and trips, which further promotes their leaning and gives them an excellent insight into the world around them. For example, they visit local farms, parks, indoor adventure play areas and aquariums. Children have very good communication skills, which are encouraged by the childminder's skilful interactions and use of excellent methods. These include repetition for younger children and frequent use of open ended questions for older children, which effectively challenges them to think for themselves. Numeracy and problem solving skills are also developing well as children are encouraged to count, complete puzzles and recognise shapes with unlimited support from the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children have access to a good selection of resources that enhance their skills for the future. These include 'all age' interactive toys and a computer, and various computer and television based interactive games for older children. A highly effective observation and assessment system is in operation, which identifies children's individual stage of development. This informs future planning and helps to identify next steps in children's learning. The childminder actively encourages parents to become involved in the children's learning, which optimises their learning and development opportunities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder constantly praises the children and actively encourages them to attend to their own personal needs, for example when taking their shoes off. Children are encouraged to make decisions for themselves in their play, which in

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and outcomes for children

turn helps to build their independence and confidence. She has a very kind and caring disposition, and displays genuine affection for them all. In turn, children are encouraged to be kind to each other and are gently reminded to share the toys and take turns. Children show a strong sense of security and feel safe within the care of the childminder. Effective risk assessments both in and out of the home, as well as regular fire evacuation drills, maximises the safety of the children.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy daily opportunities to play in the fresh air and visit local children groups, which also fosters their social skills and teaches them about the world around them. Children's independence in their personal care is supported through excellent hygiene routines, including the use of liquid soap and disposable paper towels to prevent the spread of infection. Children enjoy healthy, nutritious meals and snacks in close partnership with parents. They learn about where their food comes from when they grow strawberries and tomatoes in the garden, and visit fruit farms to pick fresh produce in the summer. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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