Childminder in Croydon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY272715 Inspection date 13/07/2011 Inspector Sandra Jeffrey

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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 2003. She lives with her partner and three children aged 10, six and four years, in Coulsdon in Surrey. The whole of the home is used for childminding, except for the master bedroom. The lower ground floor, second floor bedroom and loft conversion are the main areas used by the children. There is also a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 four children under eight years, three of whom may be in the early years age range at any one time. There are currently four children in the early years age range on roll, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder also cares for older children. The childminder holds a level 3 childcare qualification and is a member of the local Childminding Network. The childminder has two cats and keeps ducks and tortoises in the family garden.

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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

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides a relaxed and welcome environment and supports children's welfare and learning needs well overall. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and have access to an excellent range of resources and stimulating play opportunities. As a result, they are making good progress in their learning and development overall. Inclusive practice is well established and the childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's individual needs are effectively met. Secure working partnerships with others also involved in the care of the children, helps the childminder to support each child's individual needs. The childminder manages her provision well in the main. She is able to reflect on her practice and shows commitment to continually developing and improving the service she provides.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the daily attendance record reflects the actual hours of children's attendance. (Documentation) 22/07/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 consider additional ways to improve measures to prevent the spread of infection in relation to children's hand washing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  extend systems for making assessments of children's progress so that observations are used more effectively to plan future learning experiences for individual children's needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder is able to protect children because she has good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and is aware of procedures to follow if she has any concerns about children in her care. All household members are vetted to establish their suitability and the childminder has attended safeguarding training.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from a well organised, safe and secure home environment where they can independently access the extensive variety of well maintained resources. Children have access to a large secure garden, which has been divided into various tiered sections. These include a secure duck pond and enclosure, a large play house and several grassed areas which house a selection of large outdoor play equipment.

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the early years provision

The childminder conducts regular checks in the home, the garden and before embarking on trips with the children, in order to minimise potential hazards. Comprehensive written records are kept of these risk assessments, enabling the childminder to review and evaluate them. The childminder has recently had a loft conversation, which is due for completion and has had extensive renovation work carried out in the garden. The childminder has carried out extensive risk assessments in relation to both these areas before permitting children access to them.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a very child centred and accessible environment. Children can independently select from a substantial variety of age appropriate resources that support their play and learning extremely well. The childminder's home has been organised to maximise children's comfort and enjoyment and children evidently feel at ease in the setting, where the childminder ensures they all feel truly welcomed. The childminder enthusiastically dedicates her time to them, getting down to their level and playing with them, in order to fully enhance their experiences. The childminder is fully committed to inclusion and values diversity and respects differences. Children have access to a meaningful range of activities and resources that promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's understanding of diversity. Children acknowledge and celebrate various different festivals and special days throughout the year, including Did, Chinese

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the early years provision

New Year and a variety of Christian celebrations.

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the early years provision

Parents are kept well informed with all aspects of the setting and their child's development, through the childminder's daily verbal feedback. When reviewing her setting, the childminder takes into account feedback from parents and uses this information to help improve outcomes for children. Written comments from parents, viewed as part of the inspection process, evidenced that overall parents are very happy with the service the childminder provides. Good systems to promote partnerships with other professionals involved in the care of the children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are also in place.

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the early years provision

The childminder sets herself high standards and has a clear vision for the future. No recommendations were raised at the previous inspection as there were no children on roll at the time. The childminder is however, committed to continual development of her knowledge and skills within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and understands the value of ongoing training in order to continuously improve the service that she provides for the children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a comfortable home environment, where they can move freely and independently because the childminder is vigilant about safety precautions and supervises the children closely at all times. Children play mainly in the well organised playroom/lounge, where they confidently access the toys and play materials. In addition, the childminder has created a welcoming and cosy sensory room adjoining the second floor bedroom. Work is also in progress to complete another dedicated play space for the children; in the form of a small loft conversion. These arrangements provide an enriching environment and enable the children to flourish and grow in confidence and independence.

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and outcomes for children

Children have evidently formed close bonds with the childminder and respond positively to the care she provides; this fosters their emotional well-being and helps them to achieve to their full potential. They show a strong sense of belonging as they spontaneously climb on the childminders back for rides and happily approach her for cuddles, for example.

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and outcomes for children

Children's sense of belonging is evident as they move confidently around the setting, deciding which room they want to play in next and which toys they want to get out. The childminder happily sits at the children's level, involving herself in their play and extending their learning with the use of good questioning and extension skills. For example, children are supported in their understanding of mathematics, as they play with the toy money and large play shop, correctly identifying the value of notes and coins with good support from the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans a varied daily routine, effectively using her knowledge of the individual children, to develop their progress. She offers a variety of age appropriate activities, to ensure children's developmental needs are met to a good standard. The childminder makes regular observations of children's achievements and uses her assessments to plan relevant experiences for future learning, but is still developing this system.

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and outcomes for children

Children are active and benefit from daily exercise which supports their physical development. Daily trips out are incorporated into the planning and include various children's venues such as local children's drop in groups, farms and indoor play centres. This also helps to develop children's social skills and understanding of the wider world. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children also benefit from helping to care for the pets; including the ducks and tortoises in the garden. They learn how to feed and tend the animals and how to be kind and gentle with them. Children also enjoy collecting leaves and studying the changing seasons with good support from the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children are gaining confidence in their early language and literacy skills, as they explore books with the childminder and sing nursery rhymes and songs. They have access to a good selection of materials that enable them to practice their early writing and creative skills. Younger children's speech and language is developing well, in partnership with parents. Children have access to many electronic and interactive toys, including several that aid letter and number recognition, which helps them become confident users of information and communication technology at a young age. They also enjoy operating the large climb on interactive dinosaur, pressing the buttons and then squalling with delight as it roars and shakes it's head.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder constantly praises the children and actively encourages them to make decisions for themselves in their play, as a result, they are confident and develop high levels of self-esteem. She has a very kind and caring disposition and is calm and gentle with the children, displaying genuine care and affection for them all. Children are in turn, reminded to be kind and considerate to each other and are gently reminded to share the toys.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles as the childminder promotes healthy eating, drinking and regular exercise. The childminder provides children with healthy and nutritious food; they enjoy snacks of fresh fruit and cooled drinking water is available throughout the day to ensure they remain hydrated.

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and outcomes for children

Children know to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. On the day of the inspection, they were observed to use the same basin of water when washing they hands before snack time. This does not fully support their good health. They do however; use individual hand towels when drying their hands, which goes some way to reducing the risk of cross infection.

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and outcomes for children

Fire safety precautions are comprehensive and include emergency evacuation drills, which are regularly carried out, ensuring that children are familiar with the procedure in the event of a real emergency. The childminder keeps relevant documentation that promotes children's health and well-being; including written consent from all parents to seek medical advice or treatment in the event of an emergency. The childminder has an up-to-date first aid certificate and easily accessible first aid box. 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 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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