Carpenter, Carole

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY261076 Inspection date 05/09/2011 Inspector Julie Biddle

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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 husband and two children in a ground floor maisonette in Northolt in the London Borough of Ealing. All areas of the premises are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently two in the early years age group on roll. The childminder also cares for older children. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary 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 well settled and high-quality systems are in place to ensure that all children's individual needs are well met. Children have use of a wealth of toys and resources that are extremely well deployed and help them develop a clear awareness of diversity. They make excellent progress in their learning and development and very effective partnerships with parents ensure individual children's needs are met. Children are beginning to learn to cooperate with others and accept each other's differences through the childminder's effective support. The childminder has implemented an effective system to self-evaluate her setting and demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend further the strategies used to develop children's positive sense of themselves and respect for others.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded effectively because the childminder has a clear and detailed knowledge about child protection procedures. She recognises the signs of abuse, can take prompt action and she has the appropriate contact details for the relevant agencies should she have any concerns about a child in her care. The childminder has devised written policies and procedures that underpin her work with children and her childminding service. Children are relaxed in the home and the childminder places high priority on safety. She has, for example, practised a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 specific evacuation of her home with the children; through practical demonstration the children have learnt how to respond to a bell ringing by calling 'fire, fire, fire.' The childminder ensures all safety measures are in place and has completed written risk assessments for the home and outings. Children are encouraged to

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the early years provision

further develop an awareness of their own safety, when out and about with the childminder who, through discussion and good practice, makes them aware of road safety and stranger danger.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to continuous improvement and has attended training to update her knowledge and skills, including Early Years Foundation Stage and first aid. The childminder regularly reflects on the service that she provides and has completed a self-evaluation form that accurately reflects her work with children and sets realistic targets for future developments. The environment is well resourced and well used to provide children with choices about where and with what they wish to play. The carefully considered use of the resources completely supports the children's learning and development. The planning of activities is flexible and develops through the individual interests and play preferences of the children. This ensures that children benefit from a good balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities. The childminder has a good range of written policies and procedures in place, which she shares with parents. All

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the early years provision

children are welcomed into the setting and enjoy all the activities and experiences on offer to them. Trips in the local community and creative activities mean children are encouraged to develop an understanding of their own community and that of the wider world.

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the early years provision

The childminder works in partnership with parents effectively, sharing information regularly with parents to maintain a two-way flow of information. The childminder places great value in ensuring that parents develop a sense of belonging to the setting and have a say in the care and well-being of their children. She seeks parental opinions and input on a regular basis to enable her to monitor and develop the service provided. Parents speak highly of the childminder. When a child is placed in her care, the childminder gathers all information from parents regarding the child?s individual needs. Effective settling in arrangements ensure children are happy to be left with the childminder. She is aware of the benefits of establishing and maintaining positive links with other professionals involved in the care and education of the children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a happy, welcoming and stimulating environment where they are encouraged to be independent learners. The home is very inviting and children's work and photographs are displayed both around the home and the garden, providing them with a strong sense of belonging. The childminder's knowledge of each child's preferences means that their individual progress is consistently good in relation to their starting points. Children are beginning to learn how to show consideration for others, to share and to be kind to each other. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder shows particular skill in managing children of varying ages including them in all activities and offering consistent support to them all. She praises the children for their efforts and good behaviour, which means they feel good about themselves.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a very good understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. As a result, children are very well cared for and effectively supported. The childminder plans a range of interesting activities and regularly carries out observations on the children to assess their progress. Information is well presented in individual books and shared with parents to ensure they are fully informed of their child's progress and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children have made positive, happy relationships with the childminder and are relaxed and settled. This enables them to make excellent progress in their personal, social and emotional development. The children are particularly delighted when the childminder joins in with their games. There is much laughter as games and activities develop throughout the day. Children are keen to join in the activities, for example, they enjoy using their imagination as they build towers for their princess and take their dolls on holidays. Children develop problem solving skills as they count everyday objects, use shape sorters and build with construction toys. In addition, the childminder encourages children to consider how many more or less or who is missing as they play games. Many opportunities are provided for children to develop their creative skills through a range of craft activities, such as, painting, printing, cooking, collage and sand and water play. A variety of books,

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and outcomes for children

paper and crayons are readily available to help develop their early literacy and writing skills. Children also learn about the environment. They are developing their understanding of the natural world and enjoy planting seeds and watching as the vegetables and fruit grow, which they pick to eat when ripe. Children also benefit from a variety of activities outside the childminder's home. They frequently go for walks around the local community and attend the local soft play areas, nature reserves and parks and they are provided with plenty of opportunities to socialise with friends. Children are learning to respect each other and have access to a variety of creative activities to celebrate special events in their lives. Children have great fun as they place body parts on a body all laughing as they try to place the eyes, ears and mouth in the correct place. They are delighted as they take pictures of each other with the finished body. The experiences provided help children to

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and outcomes for children

develop extremely good skills for their future learning.

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and outcomes for children

Through activities and daily routines, children become aware of healthy eating and good hygiene practices. Children receive a variety of healthy meals and their individual dietary needs are established on admission. Children are reminded to wash their hands before eating. They are well cared for if they have an accident and there are effective procedures in place to protect them from illness and infection. Children develop their physical skills through a range of outdoor activities. They play in the well-resourced garden on a regular basis, where they benefit from a good range of toys and equipment which help to foster their good health. 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 1 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 1

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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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