Childminder in Merton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY422711 Inspection date 12/08/2011 Inspector Lindsay Farenden

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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 12-year-old child. The childminder's house is in Morden, within the London borough of Merton. The whole of the property is used or childminding, with the main area for play being the ground floor.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of whom three may be in the early years age group. There are currently three children in the early years age group on roll. She is also registered to provide overnight care for two children. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 secure in the setting and are treated with a great deal of warmth and kindness by the childminder. Children's individuality is recognised and nurtured by the childminder, who has a good knowledge of their individual needs, interests and abilities. The childminder provides a wide range of activities to promote children's learning, both inside and outside the home. The close working partnership with parents ensures good continuity of care for children. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to liaising with the schools children attend and keeps most required records. The childminder has identified aspects of her provision she would like to develop and is committed to attending further training to continuously improve her childcare practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 keep written records of all medicines administered to children. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 22/08/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 improve liaison with other provisions children attend in order to complement the education children receive. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

There is a strong emphasis on safeguarding children. The childminder has a good knowledge of the signs of abuse and is aware of the procedures to follow if she were to have concerns about a child's welfare. Adults living in the home have been fully vetted to ensure they are suitable to be in the presence of children. The childminder has undertaken risk assessments of her home and for outings. Children are cared for in a safe environment. Action has been taken to ensure all potential hazards are inaccessible to children; for example, a safety gate prevents children's access to the stairs. Fire safety equipment is in place. The childminder has a good understanding on the procedures to follow in the event of a fire and has practised these with the children. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder teaches them the importance of crossing the roads safely.

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the early years provision

Overall, polices and procedures are used to promote the welfare and safety of the children. Most of the necessary records and documentation are in place, including all the required written parental consents. Parents are informed of any medication administered to their children. However, the administration of medicines is not recorded, which is a breach of a specific legal requirement. The childminder has started to evaluate her childminding provision. She is aware of her strengths and weakness and is very motivated to continuously improve her childminding provision and the outcomes for children. For example, she plans to start liaising with the local school next term to further complement children's learning while they are in her care.

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the early years provision

Good use is made of space and children feel at ease as they move freely around the environment. The childminder ensures children access a good range of toys that are appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder has plans to help children learn about different festivals, such as Eid. She provides children with a range of resources and books that promote diversity. Children behave very well because they are constantly engaged in purposeful play. The childminder provides a good role model for children as she talks to them in a kind and caring manner. Children clap their hands and smile with glee as she praises them for completing an activity.

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the early years provision

The childminder strives to provide a service that is inclusive for all children and their families. She values the role of parents and encourages them to share what they know about their children. This helps her to focus on each child's individual needs and support their learning. Daily verbal feedback to parents keeps them well informed about their children's progress, routines and activities they have done. Letters from parents are very complementary about the childminder and comment on how happy the children are in her care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time in the care of the childminder, who dedicates her time to them. High quality adult interaction and well-organised routines help babies and children feel secure and confident in the setting. The childminder clearly enjoys the children's company and they fully include her in their play. Children are very keen to learn about technology. They explore with great interest remote-control toys and resources that require them to press buttons to make sounds and light up. Young children learn basic problem-solving skills. They try to work out how to fit the lids on their drink bottle and do simple puzzles with the childminder's help. Babies vocalise with pleasure as they play. The childminder encourages this by talking to them and repeating the sounds they make. Children get great pleasure from looking at books and cuddle up to the childminder as she reads them stories.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn to express themselves as they use crayons from a young age and enjoy painting activities. They develop their senses as they investigate many different mediums, such as sand, water and bubbles. Children's interest in the wider world is developed during bus rides and visits to farms, where they delight in seeing real animals. Regular visits to a local children's centre help to develop children's social skills and provide access to a further range of activities that support their learning and development. The childminder knows the children she cares for very well. She uses this knowledge to plan activities and provide toys that support them in their next stage of development. Photographs show how much children enjoy activities and outings; this enables all special moments to be shared with their parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a good awareness of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle. They learn that exercise is good for them as they walk to and from school. They enjoy a wide range of opportunities to develop their physical skills, such as using the trampoline or playing ball games in the childminder's garden. They regularly visit parks and play on large equipment. Babies have plenty of space to crawl and have fun developing their walking skills using push-along toys. Children are cared for and play in a clean home, where the childminder gives priority to hygiene procedures. She has a current first-aid certificate, enabling her to respond to minor accidents when they occur. 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 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 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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