Blaby Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 135825 Inspection date 20/06/2011 Inspector Samantha Smith

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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 1995. She lives with her husband and three children aged 21, 19 and 15 in Bush Hill Park, within the London Borough of Enfield. The whole of the ground floor and first floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has 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 to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding four children, all on a part time basis. Two are in the early years age range. She also cares for children before and after school, who she takes to and collects from the local school. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group and she is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 cared for in a safe and stimulating environment. Where the childminder recognises their individuality and effectively promotes inclusive practice. They are making good progress in all areas of learning through the childminder's skilful interaction with them and she has a good understanding of her role in supporting them to learn new skills. There are secure partnerships with parents and relevant information is shared. The childminder has not yet developed systems of self evaluation, although she demonstrates a sound capacity to maintain continuous improvement. All recommendations made at the last inspection have been fully addressed.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide children with appropriate explanations about the importance of regular hand washing at appropriate times in the day  consider developing systems of self evaluation to identify particular strengths and areas for improvement

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which she implements effectively in her practice; consequently, children's care and learning needs are promoted well. Arrangements for safeguarding This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children are robust; adults living permanently in the house are vetted and the childminder does not allow anyone else to have unsupervised access to children. Detailed daily risk assessments include all areas of the home accessed by the children on the premises and the childminder is vigilant in her organisation of outings to ensure children's safety is fully maximised.

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the early years provision

Children benefit because the childminder has an understanding of their individual needs and how to meet them. She provides good levels of support and attention and is careful to ensure she cares for an appropriate number of children at any one time. She organises her time effectively to ensure her documentation are well maintained and up to date. She demonstrates a positive approach to treating all children with equal respect. She gathers information from parents about the children's backgrounds to enable her to understand and support each child. She recognises the importance of equality and diversity and knows how to include all children. Children have good opportunities to learn about themselves and the wider world through activities and resources that develop their understanding of different cultures. They have access to a suitable range of play resources designed to promote their understanding of diversity including puzzles, dressing up clothes

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the early years provision

Furniture, equipment and resources are of sound quality and suitable for the ages of children to support their learning and development in a homely environment. Space and play resources are organised effectively to meet children's needs. Children have free access to all areas designated for childminding, including the stimulating outdoor play area which enables children to engage in challenging play experiences. There are good systems in place to deal with any accidents, incidents and illnesses and children's health needs are well promoted. The childminder has not yet started the self-evaluation process, although she demonstrates a commitment to providing good quality childcare and has addressed all previous recommendation made at the last inspection, which shows a very good approach to making improvements to her provision to ensure children have positive experiences.

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the early years provision

Effective partnerships have been established with parents. They are provided with copies of policies and procedures, and all necessary parental permissions are in place. They receive verbal information at the end of the day when they collect their children and they receive regular updates about their child's learning and development. The childminder also completes daily diaries. A notice board contains information about the childminder's details and contact details for the regulator. Parents speak highly of the childminder, recognising the good level of care and education she provides.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has good knowledge of the learning, development and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, which she uses effectively. Consequently, children are making good progress and they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 demonstrate a positive attitude to learning. The childminder carries out sensitive observations of children in their play and activities. Samples of children's work are displayed in scrap books that also capture the enjoyable experience that children receive and are also linked to the areas of learning. She observes children at play, to find out what they know, what they can do and what they enjoy and this forms part of an ongoing assessment of children's achievements.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has created a homely, caring environment where children can play safely and happily. Children are able to make choices from a balanced range of toys and equipment, which encourages them to become independent learners. They benefit from one to one interaction with the childminder as she divides her time well between them offering reassurance and good levels of support where needed. Children are well behaved and respond well to the childminder's calm and caring manner as well as her consistent in approach. This also results in them feeling safe and secure in her care. They have developed healthy and happy relationships with the childminder who is sensitive to their emotional needs and supports their routines from home.

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and outcomes for children

Young children are developing good skills for the future by increasing their communication and language skills through the constant flow of communication and appropriate use of questioning from the childminder. They are learning to value one another and socialise more widely as they regularly visit toddler groups and enjoy regular visits with other childminder's. The childminder's commitment to inclusion ensures that activities are open and accessible to all and resources that depict positive images of difference are freely available.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to adopt healthy practices as they engage in regular physical activity. A good selection of outdoor equipment is made available in the garden, including, a slide, tent and various wheeled toys. Children have the opportunity to further extend their learning and development through participating in creative activities, they engage in painting and play dough activities and show great fun as they enjoy the dressing up clothes, which are non gender specific.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is supported with the nutritious snacks provided by the childminder. Lunches are provided by parents and the childminder ensure that these are stored appropriately. Appropriate steps are taken to ensure children's safety as the childminder monitors the environment and equipment on a daily basis and undertakes routine checks of safety equipment, such as smoke detectors. The childminder is attentive to hygiene, particularly potty training arrangements, which minimizes the risk of cross infection. However, appropriate explanations are not always provided for children to support their developing understanding of the importance of regular hand washing. 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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