Childminder in Camden

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY278384 Inspection date 03/10/2011 Inspector Anahita Aderianwalla

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 February 2004. She lives with her son aged fourteen years old. They live in a first floor flat in a shared house in Kentish Town, in the London Borough of Camden. The whole of the childminder's flat is used for childminding. There is fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder may care for no more than five children under eight years; of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group. There are currently three children on roll in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She regularly visits play groups, drop-in centres, soft play centres, the library and local parks.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's welfare, learning and development needs are superbly met by an experienced, caring and committed childminder. Children's needs are being met exceedingly well. The childminder fosters their individuality and works very closely with parents, to ensure continuity of care. The childminder provides children with a highly stimulating environment. The children have access to a broad range of high quality toys. Adult-led activities offer an abundance of different materials for them to use. However, children do not always have full access to natural materials during free play. The childminder is very proactive. She is fully aware of continuing to develop the use of resources, to promote more exciting opportunities for children to self-select. She has strong relationships with parents and works closely with other settings and agencies to maintain consistency of care. The childminder has highly effective organisational skills. Clear systems for reviewing and

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

evaluating all areas of her provision to ensure continual improvement and high standards are being met.

p.4

further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

p.4

further?

 continue to develop the use of resources, promoting more exciting opportunities for children to self-select more natural materials in free play.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are superbly safeguarded by this childminder. She has a thorough understanding of safeguarding issues and is fully aware of her responsibilities. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder provides a detailed written child protection procedure, enabling her to react promptly if she has cause for concern. She ensures children are very carefully supervised at all times. She carries out daily checks of all areas of her home, to identify and rectify potential hazards as they arise. Comprehensive written risk assessments on the areas used by children, and for all outings are being undertaken regularly. The childminder provides comprehensive written policies and procedures to underpin her practice. She keeps all the required documentation up- to-date and stores these securely to maintain confidentiality. This results in the highly efficient running of the setting.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder continuously evaluates her service. She completes written self- evaluative documents in connection with the childminding network and also records information in her self-evaluation form. She is able to fully recognise her strengths and is highly committed to continue enhancing her work. For example, by further developing opportunities for children on outings. Her attendance on a wide range of different courses, contributes to her being able to provide new and exciting activities. This enables her to keep up-to-date with all current requirements.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder organises her home extremely well. Her home is very child centric and is very conducive to children's learning, providing a dedicated playroom, and kitchen where a wide range of different activities are offered. She ensures that their specific needs are met through her well-organised practices and procedures. The childminder has an exceptional knowledge of each of the children in her care and their differing home backgrounds. The childminder provides children with an exciting selection of resources and activities. These enable them to learn about and understand the society in which they live. The childminder has high quality resources and plans a broad range of exciting adult led activities. These allow children to gain an array of experiences using a wide range of materials. However, the children do not fully have daily opportunities to access more natural materials during free play. The childminder is highly effective in ensuring that all children are

p.5

the early years provision

fully included and integrated into her provision.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder provides an extremely welcoming and very inclusive environment. Children and adults are able to feel relaxed and at home. The childminder fully recognises the importance of working in partnership with parents. A strong emphasis is placed on the settling in period, ensuring all details regarding the families' knowledge of their children and relevant information regarding welfare needs is acquired. Regular verbal communication ensures that continuity of care is maintained. Parents' views are highly valued. The childminder carries out questionnaires, to help evaluate and strengthen the service she provides. The written feedback received indicates parents are extremely happy with the care and support their children receive. The childminder is fully committed to working with others involved in each child's care. She communicates with staff from the school where children attend, and shares information regarding children's development to

p.5

the early years provision

support their transition into new settings. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their time with this childminder. The exceptional organisation of the provision for their welfare, learning and development needs, provides children with superb opportunities to play and learn through rich, varied and stimulating experiences. The childminder demonstrates an extensive understanding of the learning requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She delivers a programme of fun, exciting and interesting activities for children, based upon their interests and learning styles. The highly consistent implementation of policies and procedures, ensures that children's health, safety and well-being is effectively promoted. The childminder's system for observation is rigorous. The information obtained from observations of the children's progress is used effectively, to plan a purposeful range of activities to support children's next steps in learning. Children make excellent progress in relation to their starting

p.6

and outcomes for children

points. They enthusiastically access an exciting selection of resources from the range on offer to them. They have opportunities to express themselves creatively and through imaginative play. They enjoy the interaction they receive from the childminder. The children have fun playing with the extensive range of resources in the home and on regular outings.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are becoming excellent communicators. Children talk confidently about events at home and respond eagerly to the childminder's questions and general discussions. Children can freely access books from the wide selection provided. They sit attentively as they listen to stories being read to them. The childminder is very skilful in extending their learning at every opportunity. For example, they thoroughly enjoyed listening to the story about 'the frogs', with the use of puppets; and then came back and made frogs from paper plates. Children's creative, physical and problem solving skills are very well supported as they engage in a variety of activities. Younger children develop mathematical skills as they count out the different variety of fruits offered at snack time. They challenge themselves whilst completing simple puzzle games, that require them to fit the correct shape into the correct space. In addition, they learn simple concepts of

p.6

and outcomes for children

addition and values of different coins, as they happily engage in regular conversations, whilst buying their fruit from the local market stalls.

p.6

and outcomes for children

They thoroughly enjoy going for walks into the community and taking part in local life. For example, they visit local parks and went bird watching. Older children learnt about different types of birds they encountered. They mimicked the different sounds they made, whilst younger children counted the number of birds they saw, whilst looking through binoculars. They enjoy fresh air and exercise on a daily basis. They are able to make excellent choices about whether they play indoors or outdoors. Children have superb opportunities to develop skills which will help them in the future. They enjoy activities which enable them to progress in the communication, language and literacy. For example, drawing, mark-making and looking at books. They regularly visit places of interest and learn about their local community, developing an excellent knowledge of their place within society.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children show a clear sense of security and feel safe within the childminder's care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 They approach her with ease and enjoy the enthusiastic response they receive from her. Children are encouraged to develop a clear understanding of keeping safe indoors and outdoors. The home is rigorously risk assessed and the childminder encourages children to develop a good understanding about road safety and 'stranger danger'. The childminder has effective organisation of routines, which help young children to gain a strong sense of security. Children show a clear understanding of the importance of following good hygiene practices, as they take their lead from the childminder. Children benefit from being provided with a very well-balanced diet, which takes into account their individual dietary needs and requirements. They are encouraged to take ownership of their own

p.6

and outcomes for children

health needs, through open discussions with the childminder about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. All children are extremely settled and content within the childminder's care. They show a good sense of belonging and understand the childminder's house rules. They develop exceptional relationships with the childminder, and their peers as the childminder enthusiastically encourages them to be kind, caring and considerate of each other. All children are valued and are encouraged to participate in an excellent range of activities. These help them to develop their knowledge of diversity and equal opportunities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.8

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

p.8

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.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9