Childminder in Croydon

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY244072 Inspection date 19/07/2011 Inspector Rebecca Khabbazi

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband, who she works with as her co-childminder, and their three children aged 12, ten and six years old. The family live in a five bedroom house in a residential area of Croydon in Surrey. The downstairs of the house is the main area used for childminding. A garden is available for outdoor play. The family have pet cats, tortoises and chickens.

p.4

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 five children under eight years old when working on her own, three of whom can be in the early years age range. When working with her co-childminder they may care for a total of nine children, six of whom can be in the early years age group. There are currently seven children under eight years old on roll, six of whom are in the early years age range. There are also two children over eight years on roll.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder successfully promotes all aspects of children's welfare and development. She offers a welcoming, child-centred, inclusive home environment. She works closely with parents to ensure she is familiar with children's needs and most relevant paperwork is in place. Children make good progress in their learning overall, given their age, ability and starting points. Together with her co- childminder, the childminder reflects on the service she provides and identifies areas for improvement. This means that the provision is responsive to the needs of the children who attend and their families.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 obtain written consent from parents for children to take part in outings  strengthen systems for observation and assessment by making sure next steps identified for children are clearly followed up and regularly reviewed

p.4

the early years provision

Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded. The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities towards the children in her care and is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 familiar with the steps to take if she has concerns about a child. She conducts regular checks of her home to make sure that children can move around freely and play safely. The home is well organised and welcoming. Children have access to two playrooms where they can easily choose from a wide variety of good quality play materials and resources. The majority of the documentation that promotes children's health, safety and wellbeing is in place and supports the smooth day to day running of the setting. All aspects of children's care have been discussed with parents, although written consent from parents for their child to go on local outings is not currently in place to ensure their wishes are clear.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents to make sure she has a thorough understanding of each child's backgrounds and needs. She adapts care where appropriate, for instance so that younger children can take part in activities with those who are older, so that equality and diversity is successfully promoted. Parents are kept up to date through daily discussions and they have access to a good range of written information such as policies and procedures. The childminder is aware of the need to build effective partnerships with other providers where children attend more than one setting, although this does not apply to any of the children who are currently on roll. The childminder make use of contact with other providers and attending local courses as well as discussion with her co-childminder to evaluate their service and consider areas for future development. Actions taken are well targeted to lead to improved outcomes for

p.5

the early years provision

children, such as developing outdoor play resources including the giant sandpit or using knowledge gained through local training to plan new activities, such as block play.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children show a strong sense of belonging at the setting. They grow in confidence and independence as they help themselves to toys and play materials and move between the two playrooms. They learn to keep themselves safe when they remember how to go down the two steps into the kitchen carefully or when they take part in a fire drill. Children adopt simple good hygiene routines when they wash their hands before they eat, which helps protect them from the risk of cross- infection. They benefit from regular home-cooked meals and snacks that meet their nutritional needs, enjoying raisins and a drink during the morning and macaroni cheese for tea. They take part in regular physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle, running around and using the equipment at the park, having a turn on the trampoline or digging in the sandpit in the garden.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children make good relationships with each other and with the childminder, who responds to them warmly and knows them well. They play well together and take part in a wide variety of stimulating activities and experiences that support their development across all areas of learning. The childminder makes regular observations of their achievements, but next steps identified for children are not always clearly followed up and reviewed in order to monitor children's progress. Children enjoy looking at books and listening to stories, re-telling the tale through This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 pictures on the wall. They solve simple problems when the childminder asks them how many bowls they need for the raisins at snack time. Children develop skills for the future when they confidently use the computer to complete simple programmes on their own. They find out about the world around them when they

p.5

and outcomes for children

feed the chickens in the garden and check for any eggs. Children use their imaginations when they draw pictures with big crayons, make models with playdough or join in with singing and music. They are well occupied throughout the day. They benefit from a balanced, varied routine and enjoy their time at the setting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8