Childminder in Harrow

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY418803 Inspection date 18/07/2011 Inspector Victoria Vasiliadis

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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 2011. She lives with her partner and three children in a residential area of Harrow. Children have access to the downstairs of the house and a bathroom can be accessed on this floor. There is a secure garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for five children under eight years of age. Of these, three children may be in the early years age group. Currently she has two children on roll within the early years age range who attend on a variety of days.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children have the opportunity to engage in a variety of age appropriate activities within a safe environment. The childminder works with parents to identify children's individual needs so that consistent care can be offered. The childminder has emerging systems in place to monitor and assess the children's development as they progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder is in the very early stages of evaluating her service and has managed to identify some of her strengths and weaknesses. Risk assessments are conducted and records maintained, but outings are not included in the written record.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the systems for observation and assessment and use this information to plan the next steps in the children's learning  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips  provide positive images that challenge children's thinking and help them to embrace differences in gender, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, special educational needs and disabilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of her role in ensuring the safety of the children in her care. As a result, children are cared for in a safe environment and their welfare promoted. The childminder monitors visitors to her setting and has recently introduced a visitor's book. The childminder has effective risk assessments This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in place that identify potential hazards and she has taken action to address these. For example, safety gates restrict access to the stairs and hazardous materials have been made inaccessible to the children. Although the childminder conducts visual checks before taking children on outings, she has not included the written record in her risk assessments. The childminder has a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures and is aware of the possible signs and symptoms that may be displayed if a child is being harmed.

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the early years provision

The childminder strives to ensure that the individual needs of all the children in her care are known and planned for. She works with parents to find out information about the child before she commences care. For example, she talks to parents to find out information about children's dietary requirements, likes and dislikes. This enables the childminder to provide consistent care and helps the children to feel secure and settled. The childminder shares information with parents at collection and drop off times and parents can contribute to their child's care as a regular two-way flow of information is exchanged through the daily diaries. The childminder has developing links with other professionals involved in the children's care and learning. For example, she follows some of the themes adopted at the playgroup and uses this information to complement the children's learning. The childminder has made some efforts to support the children's understanding of

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the early years provision

equality and diversity as she encourages children to accept and respect others through her interactions, discussions and role-modelling. The children have access to a small selection of resources that are reflective of the wider community such as, books and dressing up clothes.

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the early years provision

Children have access to an appropriate selection of resources that are fit for purpose, adequately maintained and which provide suitable challenges. Although the childminder has only recently begun to care for children, she is able to demonstrate a sound understanding of the importance of self-evaluation as a means of identifying areas in her practice that will improve outcomes for children. For example, she has identified that she wishes to develop her systems for observing, assessing and planning for the children's next steps and to increase her resources that reflect equality and diversity.

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and outcomes for children

The children are cared for in a safe and secure environment and are learning the importance of how to keep safe. For example, the childminder talks to the children about how to use the equipment and resources safely so that they don't harm the other children. The childminder also talks to the older children about her procedures that should be followed in the event of an emergency situation. In addition, babies feel safe and secure as they have healthy emotional attachments with the childminder. For example, babies enjoy snuggling into the childminder when they wake up from their naps.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is suitably supported by the childminder as she ensures that appropriate precautions are taken to reduce cross infection. For example, children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are excluded for at least 48 hours if they have contagious ailments so as to prevent the risk of cross infection. The childminder ensures that children's meals, which are provided by parents, are appropriately stored and heated. She also provides children with healthy snacks that take account of any dietary requirements such as, toast with margarine. The childminder supports the children in developing a healthy lifestyle as she encourages the children to use their physical skills whilst in the garden or when visiting the local parks.

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and outcomes for children

The quality of children's learning and their progress towards the early learning goals in relation to their starting points is satisfactory. The systems for observation, assessment and planning are still in their infancy and the childminder continues to work on these processes. The children are provided with a suitable range of age appropriate resources and learning opportunities which are interesting and fun. For example, children enjoy moving their bodies when they hear the music.

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and outcomes for children

The children have access to a suitable selection of interactive and programmable toys which are beginning to support their interest in information and communication technology. For example, the children thoroughly enjoy hitting the different buttons and listening to the different noises that are produced. In addition, the childminder supports the children's awareness of numbers as she counts objects during the children's play. The children are suitably supported in their learning as the childminder sits with them at activities and extends their thought processes as she poses open-ended questions which encourage them to think and respond. For example, discussions take place about night and day and natural and artificial lights.

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and outcomes for children

Children's independence skills are suitably supported as they are encouraged to make choices in their play as resources are easily accessible. Their behaviour is managed in an appropriate and sensitive manner by the childminder who sets clear and consistent limits. This helps children to play and work feeling safe and secure. For example, when children squabble over toys the childminder intervenes calmly, reminding them that they must share. Children are encouraged to respect their resources as the childminder gently reminds them to put away toys before getting more out. Children are given lots of praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements which promotes their self-esteem and confidence. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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