Childminder in Croydon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY304762 Inspection date 04/10/2011 Inspector Pamela Paisley

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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 2005. She is on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder lives with her husband and two children aged seven and five years in New Addington within the London Borough of Croydon. The whole ground floor and bathroom facilities on the first floor of the childminder's home are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play and the family has a rabbit. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding five children on a part-time basis in the early years age range. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and Croydon Childminding Network.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder's home is extremely child centred, giving children great opportunities to play and learn in a highly stimulating home environment where they are highly motivated and very confident to initiate their own activities. Children are making excellent progress in their learning and development in relation to their starting points and the childminder has extensive knowledge of how to support most children. The childminder works extremely hard to monitor and maintain a high standard of care and is committed to working in partnership with others, taking a lead role in establishing effective working relationships. The childminder is committed to attending relevant training courses in order to maintain continuous improvement and outstanding outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 developing her knowledge of how to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a comprehensive awareness of safeguarding issues and has kept her knowledge up-to-date through attending several training courses. She has meticulous procedures in place to follow should she have concerns about a child in her care. High priority is given to ensuring that children remain safe in the childminder's home. An effective range of safety devices, such as safety gates, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 socket covers and smoke alarms are fitted throughout her home and extensive risk assessments are carried out each day before the children arrive to minimise potential dangers. There are well organised and comprehensive policies and procedures in place that fully support the childminder in giving utmost priority in protecting all children, promoting their well-being and supporting them to develop their full potential. Children have easy access to an extensive range of high quality

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the early years provision

play materials, toys and resources that are easily accessible in low level cupboards and storage units and are appropriate for individual developmental needs. The childminder is strongly committed to inclusion and has exceptional knowledge of each child's background and needs and places the promotion of equality of opportunity at the heart of the service she provides.

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the early years provision

Since the last inspection the childminder has made improvements to her record keeping to ensure children's attendance is accurately recorded. She has also extended the range of resources and activities she provides to develop children's awareness of diversity. The childminder's self-evaluation reflects rigorous monitoring of what she does well and what areas she wants to develop. The childminder has highlighted that she would like to gain more knowledge of how to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder has developed very strong partnerships with parents. Her relationship with parents is honest, open, trusting, friendly and professional. Parents are well informed about their children's progress through regular meetings. This enables them to establish effective channels in which they can work together to contribute to their children's education. They receive comprehensive information and guidance in the

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the early years provision

form of a daily journal and the childminder shares a resource folder with them on how to support their children's learning at home. Children's and parents' views of the service the childminder provides are monitored through questionnaires. She received excellent feedback regarding their views of her provision and the childminder actively takes on board suggestions to enhance the service she provides and improve the outcomes for children. The childminder is highly committed to working in partnership with other early years provision where her minded children attend, to ensure that their learning, development and welfare is successfully promoted.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides an exceptionally well organised environment. Activities and experiences are extremely well matched to children's needs and interests. Observations and assessments are rigorous and the information gained is used very effectively to plan for children's next steps of learning. The childminder expertly uses long term and short term plans to ensure children take part in an exciting range of highly innovative and developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor activities which provide optimal challenge. Children take part in an excellent range of physical activities that are well planned to help them make extremely good progress in their physical development. They have plenty of opportunities to visit soft play areas and physical activity groups so they can practise balancing, crawling and climbing. The childminder's garden is extremely This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

well equipped with large play equipment such as a slide, trampoline, pedal cars and a climbing frame to encourage physical play. Children have excellent opportunities to learn about what is dangerous and how to keep themselves safe. They practise regular fire drills to help them become familiar with emergency evacuation procedures and are due to visit a local fire station where they will learn some safety precautions and be able to assist the firemen in using the water jets and go on board a real fire engine. Children are gaining excellent use of language and are able to express themselves well. Books are very accessible on low level tables and toy boxes. Children can relax on a sofa to look at books of their choice and thoroughly enjoy listening to stories read to them by the childminder. They have great opportunities to use pencils, crayons and chalks for mark making.

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and outcomes for children

Children show an excellent understanding of healthy eating and make healthy choices at snack and meal times. Drinks are left out throughout the day so that they can help themselves when they are thirsty. Children enjoy a wealth of stimulating creative activities. They are able to experience and experiment with different types of media to do paintings and drawings. Children have independent access to an extensive range of musical instruments such as guitars, drums, keyboard, xylophone and symbols so that they can explore different sounds. Children are extremely confident and make their own choices in choosing play materials. They are learning how to dress and undress themselves independently and manage their own personal care. Children are gaining knowledge and understanding of the world through purposeful activities and experiences. They help to grow flowers and various plants in the childminder's garden, go on regular

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and outcomes for children

nature walks and visit a wide range of museums. Children have access to an extensive range of books and resources that promote positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. Children's knowledge and understanding about diversity is strongly enhanced as they celebrate various festivals throughout the year. They have a chance to taste foods from around the world and discuss how other people live, and talk about their own cultures with the childminder. Children have excellent use of Information and Communication Technology equipment such as a laptop, cameras, video recorders, electronic activity centres and phones to support their learning. 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 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

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Stage

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

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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

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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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