Childminder in Lewisham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY419874 Inspection date 21/06/2011 Inspector Angela Ramsey

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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 her adult son and seven year old daughter. The family live in a three bedroom town house in the London Borough of Lewisham. The ground floor and second bedroom on the middle floor are used for childminding purposes. There is direct access into a rear garden via the living room.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for upt to five children under eight years at any one time; of these, not more than three may be in the early years age range and, of these, one may be under one year. The childminder may provide overnight care for one child aged from one to eight years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is currently caring for two children in the early years age range.

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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 shows a secure understanding of each child's individual needs. Their needs are inclusively met and individual routines followed with regard to their requirements and preferences as discussed with parents. Good relationships with parents have been established through the exchanging of valuable information. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to her own personal development and is committed to attending training to further improve her knowledge of child care practices. The childminder regularly reflects on her practice and has identified areas for improvement although does not as yet record her findings.

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further?

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

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further?

 consider developing more formal methods to monitor and evaluate the quality of the provision and ensure that any weaknesses that are identified are promptly acted on to improve outcomes for children  develop further the system for observation and assessment to clearly identify and plan for the next steps in learning for each child and link observations to six areas of learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is effectively promoted in the warm and homely environment provided by the childminder. Children are safeguarded by the childminder who has a good knowledge and understanding of her role in protecting children. She is aware of the possible signs of abuse, the importance of recording her concerns and she has the details of whom to contact if a referral needs to be made. Regular fire drills are carried out with the children and the details of these are recorded. Risk assessments are conducted for her home, garden, outings and when travelling on public transport. She also records children's attendance and all visitors are required to sign in and out of her home.

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the early years provision

Positive partnerships with parents have been established. The childminder keeps parents informed of their children's learning and development. Parents are provided with copies of her policies and procedures, which support the service provided. Through discussions with parents the childminder actively promotes equality and diversity. She works closely with parents and she becomes familiar with each child's individual needs, such as likes and dislikes with regards to food and sleep routines. Parents are also kept informed of their child's development. Parents are also provided with a written daily diary which details what their child has eaten, activities they have played with and outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. She has started to observe the children in her care as they engage in activities. However, these observations are not linked to the areas of learning and the childminder has not recorded how she plans to further each child's development. The childminder is aware that if children receive education and care in more than one setting, relevant information should be shared. She has recently requested such information which ensures continuity and coherence.

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the early years provision

Resources are well deployed and easily accessible in containers, enabling children to make choices about what they want to play with. The environment both indoors and outdoors is conducive to learning and support children's learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, secure and settled in the childminder's care. She has created a very comfortable, welcoming and child-centred environment where children are able to enjoy and choose from a variety of activities. Resources are easily accessible and the childminder provides a wide range of experiences and learning opportunities which stimulate and challenge children's knowledge and understanding.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder organises outings to local childminding groups, parks and the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 library. She has implemented a system to monitor children's development and progress using the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. However, currently these observations do not clearly identify how children's next steps in learning will be targeted.

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and outcomes for children

There are good strategies in place to promote children's communication and language development. Having access to book, singing songs and rhymes help children practice their language skills. Construction bricks and puzzles encourage children to problem solve. Children's knowledge and understanding of the world is emerging as the childminder encourages the children to be inquisitive. When out on a trip she allows them to experience splashing in puddles. Everyday daily routines are used as learning experiences. For example children are encouraged to feed themselves at meal times. The childminder also organises trips to venues such as museums where children are able to experience and listen to African drumming.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is appropriately supported. If required, the techniques used are suitable for the age and stage of children's development, for example, distraction and explaining to children in language they understand why the behaviour is not acceptable. Children are also encouraged to apologise and say sorry to each other.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is protected because the childminder has up-to-date knowledge of first aid. She has a written procedure in place in the event of a child becoming ill and obtains written consent to administer medicines to children. Records are also kept of any medicines administered. Parental permission to seek emergency advice or treatment has also been obtained.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health and well-being are supported and positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder's home is clean and the children are taught the importance of hand washing. Meals can be provided by parents and these are kept in the fridge prior to being heated before serving. Alternatively the childminder has devised menus which include healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. There are lots of opportunities for children to be active either in the childminder's garden, in the park or whilst in the out door play areas of childminding groups. Children have access to bikes, and fixed apparatus such as climbing frames and slides. 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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