Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY420658 Inspection date 13/07/2011 Inspector Liz Coffey

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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 registered in 2011. She lives with her husband and their two year old daughter. They live in a three bedroom house in Nunhead, in the London Borough of Southwark. Children are cared for mainly on the ground floor. The family have a dog as a pet.

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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. She is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years, of whom two may be in the early years age range, with one under a year at any one time. There are currently two children on roll, both of whom are in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 provides a safe, stimulating, inclusive environment. She has drawn up and implemented policies and procedures that underpin her service. The childminder provides a wide range of activities that meet children's interests and promote their learning and development. There are effective systems in place to ensure daily communication with parents and others with regard to children's individual needs and their learning. The childminder reflects on her practice and has begun to use self evaluation to identify the strengths and weakness of her provision. She is keen to further develop her service to ensure improved outcomes for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems of self-evaluation to further identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children  develop use of observations and assessments to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child that are shared with parents

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes children's safety and welfare. She has devised written policies and procedures which she shares with parents. Parents are provided with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 good verbal and written feedback about their children's care and how they have spent their day. The childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding procedures. Appropriate referral details are in place and the childminder is aware of the procedures she would follow if she had any safeguarding concerns. The childminder updates her knowledge through attending training courses run by her local authority early years department. She holds a current first aid certificate.

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the early years provision

Areas used by the children are well laid out to enable them to move about freely and safely. Resources are effectively stored to enable children to self-select from a range of activities. Risk assessments for the home and outings have been completed and help to identify potential hazards that children may be exposed to. The childminder takes appropriate action to protect children from danger and makes effective use of safety equipment such as stair gates and cupboard locks. Children practice regular fire drills with the childminder, ensuring that they are familiar with how to evacuate safely in the event of an emergency.

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the early years provision

Children demonstrate a strong sense of belonging in the setting and readily approach the childminder for help or reassurance. All children and their families are welcomed and valued and the childminder's commitment to inclusion ensures that all children enjoy a challenging and enjoyable programme of activities, tailored to their individual needs. The childminder understands the importance of working closely with other adults involved in the children's care, to ensure that relevant information is shared and that continuity of care is provided. Although systems of self-evaluation are in their infancy, the childminder is able to demonstrate an awareness of the strengths and weaknesses in her provision. Her plans for future improvement appear to be well targeted and likely to bring about improved outcomes for children, demonstrating a suitable capacity for continuous improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a good range of resources, experiences and activities. The childminder is well organised and demonstrates a secure knowledge of the learning and development requirements. Activities are well-planned; the childminder is resourceful and has a wealth of good ideas to engage and challenge children. The childminder uses a daily diary to record what children they have done and this is shared with parents. Written and photographic observations of children's achievements in line with the early learning goals are collated. However, these are not always used to plan effectively for next steps in individual children's their learning and development. The childminder recognises this as an area for further development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and eagerly engage in the wide range of activities available. They participate well and are enthusiastic and keen learners. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the children as individuals and provides activities accordingly, so they offer appropriate challenge. Children are able to explore and select resources independently. Children benefit from a welcoming This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 environment where very good relationships with the childminder are established. As a result, children feel safe and secure in the childminder's care. They are aware of the expectations and boundaries in place and they are extremely capable of making their needs known. Parents state that the childminder is "responsive to my child's individual needs" and highlight the "child-led" approach and "welcoming and friendly environment" as particular strengths of the service. They comment that

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and outcomes for children

their child benefits from attending the setting in terms of their "confidence, relationships and general learning."

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and outcomes for children

The childminder gives meaningful praise and encouragement to children. Their efforts are acknowledged and their achievements celebrated. Children are polite and well behaved and the childminder acts as a good role model for the children saying 'please' and 'thank you' and encouraging them to do the same. Children's individual personalities and likes and dislikes are acknowledged and valued. This builds children's self-esteem and confidence well. As a result, children make good progress in their personal, social and emotional development. Children enjoy healthy nutritious meals and the childminder encourages healthy eating, talking with the children about why they need healthy foods. They enjoy 'hands-on' cooking activities, for example baking their own bread rolls to eat at lunchtime and making muffins to share. Children's personal care needs, such as sleeping, nappy changing and toilet training are discussed with parents and the childminder adapts

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and outcomes for children

her routine to support the children's individual needs.

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and outcomes for children

Daily outdoor play and activities are included in the routine and children benefit from plenty of fresh air and physical activity, promoting their understanding of healthy life styles. They play in the back garden in all weathers developing their co-ordination and dexterity as they ride and manoeuvre the wheeled toys. Trips to local parks and open spaces to walk the family dog, offer opportunities to splash in puddles, search for mini beasts and talk about and observe the changes that the different seasons bring. Very good use is made of local resources such as children's centres and toddler groups. Here children can participate in additional creative and group activities and develop their social skills as they mix with a wider group of children and their carers.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop very good communication skills as the childminder listens to them and talks to them asking questions that help to extend their vocabulary and conversation skills. They enjoy looking at books and eagerly join in familiar action rhymes and songs with the childminder. Linguistic diversity is highly valued, and the childminder promotes inclusion for example by supporting the developing use of English alongside children's home languages. Children develop an understanding of mathematical concepts and problem solving skills as they play. For example, they eagerly join in a game of 'shops', taking turns to be the customer and counting real and pretend money. The childminder extends this activity well, providing props such as toy credit cards and travel tickets for the children to incorporate into their game. Children enjoy making their own scrapbooks and diaries and concentrate intently as they stick photos and pictures and samples of

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and outcomes for children

their art work in their books. Overall children develop very good skills for the future. 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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