Childminder in Sutton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY416456 Inspection date 15/08/2011 Inspector Marcia Robinson

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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 has been registered since 2010. She lives with her partner and three children, in Carshalton, Surrey. The family have five pet rabbits. The ground floor of the home is used for childminding purposes and children have access to bathroom facilities and a lounge. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to look after a maximum of three children under eight years, including two children in the early years age group. Currently, there are three children on roll in the early years age range.

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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

Children are happy and settled and enjoy an interesting range of activities, both in the setting and outside in the local community. This helps children to make good progress in their learning and development, given their age, ability and starting points. On the whole, most of the legally required documentation is maintained to a high standard, although the daily attendance record for one child does not include the required detail. Inclusive practice is satisfactory as the childminder has a suitable range of play materials which support diversity, although the systems in place to promote all areas of this are less well developed. Partnerships with parents and all who work with the children are a key strength and significantly contribute to children's overall welfare. The childminder places high importance on safety, although fire procedures are not monitored fully. She is committed to providing a high standard of service and has begun to reflect on her practice

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance are accurately maintained for all minded children. (Documentation) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 16/09/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out regular fire evacuation drills and monitor any problems This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encountered and how they were resolved  plan and provide children with further opportunities to learn about different ways of life, cultures and religions.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded overall. The childminder ensures positive steps are taken to help safeguard children and protect them from harm. For instance, she has recently attended a relevant child protection training course. As a result, the childminder shows a good understanding of her responsibilities towards the children in her care and knows what steps to take if she has concerns about their welfare. She places much importance on promoting children's safety and conducts risk assessments, both of the home and for any outings. This effectively minimises hazards to children and keeps them safe. However, although the childminder practices the emergency evacuation procedure, she does not fully monitor its effectiveness. Generally good systems are in place for promoting children's welfare, including those relating to accidents, medication and attendance. However, the daily attendance record in place lacks the required detail

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the early years provision

for one child. This is a breach of a legal requirement. All other records are up to date and shared with parents where appropriate, to ensure they understand the childminder's role and responsibilities.

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the early years provision

Deployment of resources is effective. The childminder makes good use of time and organises a broad range of activities and outings that promote all areas of learning. In addition, the learning environment is well organised, creating a welcoming, child-friendly space, both in the home and garden. This encourages children to lead and direct their own play and learning and successfully engages their interest. The childminder works closely with parents to make sure she has a thorough understanding of each child's background and needs. For instance, she ensures detailed information about children's stages of development, interests, likes and dislikes is obtained before they start. As a result, the childminder is able to ensure planning is reflective of children's individual needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder works successfully alongside the parents to help children make good progress, both at home and in her setting. She provides parents with a broad range of information regarding their child's care and learning, including children's learning journals, diaries and daily discussions. This effectively contributes to a continual two-way flow of information. The childminder provides opportunities for parents to be actively involved in supporting their child's learning at home, through opportunities such as a book lending scheme.

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the early years provision

The childminder is fully aware of the importance of developing effective links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. For instance, she demonstrates a full awareness of targets and themes covered, so children experience continuity of care and learning. She makes use of positive feedback from parents, receives plenty of support from the local authority and regularly networks with other childcare professionals to keep up to date and evaluate her provision. The childminder has started the process of self-evaluation and is aware This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of how such systems can help to identify strengths in the provision and assist in prioritising areas for further development. She demonstrates a keen and enthusiastic approach to ongoing improvement such as building a summer house in the garden for the storage of equipment and to give children more space for

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the early years provision

play. She also regularly attends training made available by the local authority, enabling her to further extend her knowledge of childcare and education. The childminder demonstrates she is motivated and committed towards the continual development of the service, whereby plans for the future are well targeted towards positive outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children settle quickly and are confident and well occupied. They are able to move safely around the home because the childminder makes sure appropriate precautions are in place, such as door stoppers and safety gates. Although fire safety precautions are in place such as smoke alarms, the emergency evacuation procedure is not frequently practised with the children to make sure everyone can act quickly in an emergency. Children benefit from regular opportunities to discuss road safety with the childminder when outdoors. They also enjoy the interactive learning activities available, which are regularly used to support children's understanding of road safety. This further extends their understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Children adopt good hygiene routines. The childminder supports younger children to wash their hands prior to handling food or after playing outside. They have easy access to their own cups and beakers of drinks,

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and outcomes for children

and enjoy nutritionally balanced snacks and meals, including plenty of fruit, salad and vegetables. Children play outside every day as part of a healthy lifestyle, enjoying a wide variety of activities. They move freely in the fresh air or have fun developing their skills using the range of physical play resources in the garden or at the local park. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. She has made a good start in developing methods of assessment for all minded children. She makes regular observations of children during play which show clear links to the areas of learning and highlight children's next learning priorities. She takes photos of children during a variety of activities and outings. These, along with her good knowledge of children's interests and needs, provide a good baseline from which children's progress can be tracked.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a good variety of activities and experiences that support children's development and learning both in the home and local community. Children are actively engaged in a broad range of activities. They show positive attitudes towards learning and are very settled and secure. Young children are learning to share and take turns through the childminder's consistent approach, positive attention and praise for their achievements. Consequently, young children behave well, given their age and stage of development. Displays of children's work help to build on their confidence and self-esteem because they demonstrate that the childminder respects the children's efforts. The systems in place for children to learn about and understand aspects of diversity and inclusion are satisfactory. For instance, children have opportunities to extend their knowledge and understanding This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

of the local community to help them to become accustomed to meeting and playing with children and adults from diverse backgrounds. The childminder has a good range of toys, books and puzzles that reflect positive images of diversity. However, she has not extended further to include planned activities aimed at children's learning about other cultures and religions. Children enjoy looking at a wide range of books independently. They also read with the childminder as they snuggle up on the sofa together. They are beginning to learn that print carries meaning as the childminder talks to the children and asks relevant questions that make children think. Children participate in lots of singing and music activities and have regular trips to the local library to aid their early language skills and their growing love of books. Children's knowledge of the natural world is nurtured well. They plant sunflower seeds in the outdoor area. In addition, they enjoy interactive

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and outcomes for children

flash card activities or jigsaws with animal pictures where they discuss what they can see and the different noises the animals make. Children create colourful pictures whilst painting, cutting and sticking. They enjoy using a range of role-play equipment including dressing up costumes to play imaginatively. Children have fun and show delight as they press buttons on a selection of programmable toys. They explore these to find out why things happen and how things work. The childminder ensures children have good opportunities to develop their 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified within the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 16/09/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified within the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 16/09/2011

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