Childminder in Merton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY423171 Inspection date 13/09/2011 Inspector Linda Close

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and one child in the early years age group in a house located in a residential road in South Wimbledon. The whole of the premises can be used for childminding purposes, although children play mainly on the ground floor and go upstairs to sleep or use the toilet facilities. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. When working on her own, the childminder may care for no more than three children under eight years; of these, not more than two may be in the early years age group at any one time. The childminder does not provide overnight care. The childminder employs an assistant and when working together they may care for a maximum of five children, all of whom may be in the early years age group. She currently has five children on roll

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Description of the childminding

who are all in the early years age group, and attend part-time.

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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 safe and happy in the care of the childminder, and they enjoy their free play, planned activities and outings. Their individual needs are effectively met, Children are making good progress overall, given their age and starting points. The childminder supports children's health exceptionally well, providing a balanced diet of healthy food carefully selected with advice from a professional nutritionist. The childminder evaluates her service to children effectively and makes thoughtful plans to secure ongoing improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 create an environment that is rich in print where children can learn about words, for example using names and labels

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the early years provision

The childminder has attended a relevant training course which has contributed to her secure knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children. She conducts and reviews risk assessments for her home, her garden and for outings and she This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 takes steps to keep children safe at all times. The childminder shares her policies and procedures with parents to make them aware of her responsibilities in relation to child protection issues. The childminder thinks carefully about her work with children and she identifies ways to improve, including the planned installation of a new storage system to make more books available to children in their play space. She studies her observation notes and finds ways to help children to make progress in areas which are relevant to their individual learning and developmental needs. A good example of this is her encouragement and support for young

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the early years provision

children who are learning to climb and use the slide in her garden. The childminder is eager to extend her knowledge of children's care and learning, for example by attending further training courses.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a wide range of good quality toys and resources, which are suitable for the age of the children she cares for. She has arranged her home to provide a dedicated playroom within sight of the kitchen so children are always under her watchful eye when she is preparing their meals and snacks. The children can select toys freely from low-level storage, and they can play indoors or outside as they choose. This gives them a sense of freedom and develops their independence well. Examples of children's art work and posters make their play environment colourful and attractive. However, there are few labels for children to see how their names and other words are written.

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the early years provision

The childminder respects each child's uniqueness, and she meets their individual needs well, particularly in relation to sleep routines and dietary needs. She provides children with books and toys that reflect diversity and she takes children out and about to gain familiarity with the features of the local area. The childminder expresses her willingness to liaise with other providers and to take advice from specialists if there is a need for guidance concerning children's care and learning. She fully understands the benefits of working in partnership with outside agencies, but she has not been called upon to do this as yet.

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the early years provision

The quality of the childminder's engagement with parents and carers is good. Parents are very positive and complimentary in their feedback to the childminder. They say that they are very pleased with her standards of care, their children are happy, settled and thriving and the food is exceptional and nutritious. Parents comment that they particularly like the childminder's calm manner and the detailed daily reports that she provides. They say that they appreciate her flexibility, feel lucky to have found her and are more than satisfied.

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and outcomes for children

Children are busy, confident and fully involved in their play and they are clearly happy and making good progress. Their body language is relaxed and they relate well to each other, and to the childminder, which shows that they feel safe in her care. They are learning to share their toys with others and the childminder kindly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 explains to them why they must go down the slide one by one for their own safety. The childminder speaks politely to the children, providing a good role model for them. They are learning to be helpful at tidy-up time, and they are only too pleased to set the table for their meals and snacks. The childminder takes many photographs and makes notes of each child's experiences and achievements. She uses the information gained to plan relevant and interesting activities and outings, which support children in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder gives children her full attention, and she talks to them as they play so that they learn new words. She listens to them carefully and this encourages them to express themselves. Children hear the childminder counting out loud as they climb the steps, encouraging their interest in numbers. They have many puzzles and games which encourage early problem solving. The childminder provides children with toys that have batteries and make sounds when they press the buttons, and in this way they learn about cause and effect. The childminder helps children to develop skills in their play that are relevant to their future learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides children with attractive small world toys which they explore with interest. She takes children out for walks and visits to places of interest in the local area. She helps them to learn about nature by taking them to the park and through planting and growing activities in her own garden. They know that apples and cherries grow on trees, and her herb border gives them opportunities to touch and smell basil, lavender and thyme. The childminder provides children with water and toys for pouring and splashing, and she gives them clean sand, which they handle, dig and sprinkle with great enjoyment. The paints, crayons and other materials that children use to make pictures give them further opportunities to learn about the properties of different materials.

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and outcomes for children

Children from a very early age are familiar with healthy lifestyles. The childminder makes a particularly strong contribution to helping very young children learn about their own health. Their emotional well-being is significantly promoted as the childminder engages with them during nappy changes by talking and smiling. Children are supported and encouraged as they wash their hands after their nappy is changed. This lays a firm basis for continued very good hygiene routines as they grow. Children enjoy tasty, healthy meals specifically devised by a nutritionist. The childminder prepares food early in the morning, or cooks and freezes it in advance, so most of her time can be spent with children. Menus are varied, introducing children to a vast range of healthy options from a very early age, and consequently extending their tastes. These include salmon cakes served with broccoli and peas, butternut squash risotto and home-made bran muffins and banana bread. Children

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and outcomes for children

eat with obvious pleasure. They follow excellent routines for personal hygiene considering their very young age. Children enjoy fresh air and daily energetic exercise on a very regular basis, laying the foundations to help them be active and healthy throughout their childhood and beyond. 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 1 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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