Childminder in Lewisham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 128777 Inspection date 28/06/2011 Inspector Elizabeth Ellen 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children, of whom one is an adult. They live in a house close to shops, parks, library and public transport links. All areas of the property are available for childminding, with the exception of the top floor extension. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family keeps cold water goldfish as pets in an enclosed tank. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and she holds a level 3 qualification in childcare and education.

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Description of the childminding

She is also a network childminder. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder works with her husband, who is also a registered childminder and jointly they may care for a maximum of eight children, of whom six may be in the early years age group at any one time. There are currently six children on roll in the early years age group. Additionally the childminder cares for children aged over eight years before and/or after school. Children attend a number of sessions on a part-time basis.

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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 promotes all aspects of children's welfare and development well. Children are safe and well cared for in her welcoming, inclusive home and most documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the provision is well maintained. Good relationships with parents ensure that all children are included and their individual needs are met. They make good progress in their learning, given their age, ability and starting points. The childminder reflects on her service and practice through completing the setting's self-assessment and identifies areas for ongoing improvement.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure a record of risk assessment is maintained, clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 08/07/2011

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  extend further the systems for monitoring and evaluating the provision; consider using the views of parents as part of the process for ensuring ongoing improvement  improve the use of assessment and planning records to clearly reflect children's capabilities in all aspects of their learning so as to ensure each individual child make the best possible progress; encourage parents to add to these records.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively safeguards children's welfare. She is clear about her responsibilities towards the children in her care, and has completed relevant child protection training. She knows what steps to take if she is concerned about a child. Most of the required documentation that promotes children's health, safety and well-being is in place, with the exception of a risk assessment. Although the childminder undertakes a risk assessment on a regular basis to ensure she maintains a safe play environment for the children, a record of her risk assessment has not been made.

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the early years provision

The home is well organised to meet children's needs and they can easily access an extensive variety of excellent resources that support their play and learning. The childminder reflects on her practice to evaluate her provision and does so in partnership with her co-childminder. Whilst feedback is welcome from parents the childminder is not proactive in gathering their views as part of the process of self- evaluation to assess the effectiveness of her provision. The childminder takes steps to develop and improve her practice, for example through training and adding additional resources. The childminder is aware of the gaps in her provision and identifies areas targeted to improve outcomes for children, for example the system for observation and assessment, which is not fully developed. It includes observations of the children and some identified next steps for future learning, however it does not consistently reflect their learning journey or incorporate a

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the early years provision

The childminder obtains information about children's backgrounds and needs so that she includes all children appropriately and effectively promotes equality and diversity. She works closely with parents and keeps them well informed, for instance through a range of written policies and procedures, daily verbal feedback and lovely photo compilations of their children enjoying the excellent range of activities and outings. Parents report they are happy with the setting and they state, their children have, 'made good progress' and 'enjoy lots of interesting outings'. The childminder works closely with other partners and providers where children have additional needs or attend more than one setting. This ensures continuity of care and that the childminder's provision enhances the early years experiences children have elsewhere. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident and extremely settled in the childminder's home. They show a strong sense of belonging as they help themselves to the inviting, stimulating resources and move freely and safely around the areas used for childminding. Children learn to keep themselves safe when they tidy away toys and put their shoes away when they come in from the garden. They sit properly on their chairs at mealtimes and adopt simple good hygiene routines when they wash their hands before they eat, which helps protect them from the risk of cross-infection. Children are given healthy choices at meal times and their drinking cups are replenished with water throughout the day so they remain hydrated. Children benefit from outdoor activities as part of a healthy lifestyle. They attend a wide variety of outings, including parks, soft play areas and museums and they play in the garden, riding bikes, crawling, balancing, climbing and playing in the water tray.

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and outcomes for children

Children engage in exciting activities and experiences that support their learning and help them make good progress towards the early learning goals. They have excellent relationships with the childminder and her husband, who plan activities that help them build on their interests and existing skills. There is a strong emphasis on children's personal, social and emotional development and as a result children are confident, capable and able to make their needs known. The childminder encourages the children to have appropriate interaction with their peers. They learn to be kind to and respect one another, which helps them to develop very good skills for the future. Their behaviour is excellent. Children snuggle into the childminder for comfort and they benefit from being in a relaxed environment where there is a good sense of fun. They count and solve simple problems as they play and show they are adept at accessing games and puzzles

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and outcomes for children

with the latest computer technology. They find out about the world around them when they explore in the sand and use their imagination as they make models with dough or play a game with the cars. Children enjoy a balanced routine and settle very quickly in the childminder's care. They are well occupied and stimulated throughout the day. 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 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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