Winham, Charlotte

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY282190 Inspection date 04/10/2011 Inspector Helen Steven

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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 has been registered since February 2004. She lives with her husband and three children aged five years, three years and six months. The childminder works alongside another childminder and an assistant. The home has four bedrooms and is arranged over four floors. The basement area and kitchen diner are the main areas used for childminding. Children have access to the living room to sleep. The home is in Parsons Green in the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. There is a secure garden and patio area used for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

When working alone the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, only one child may be in the early years age range. When working alongside her co-childminder and assistant they can care for a maximum of seven children in the early years age range. There are currently eighteen children on roll in the early years age range. All children attend part time. She is registered on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding network. She is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education to children aged three and four. She cares for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. She holds a National Nursery Examination Board childcare qualification.

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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 cared for in a warm, welcoming environment where their individual needs are supported well. The childminder, alongside her co-childminder and assistant, provides a wide range of activities for the children both inside and outside of the home to ensure overall that they are making good progress in their learning and development. Documentation to promote the safe and effective management of the setting is in place and generally well maintained and detailed. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to improve her service through her involvement with the local childminding network and plans to attend relevant training. Recommendations from the last inspection have been addressed and she is evaluating her many strengths as well as areas for improvement.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  value what children can do and children's own ideas rather than expecting them to reproduce someone else's pictures or models for example  strengthen the records of evacuation drills by detailing any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

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the early years provision

The childminder's secure knowledge of child protection matters, including the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and what to do if she has concerns about a child, helps to safeguard children's welfare. She has produced a safeguarding policy that she shares with parents to ensure that they are clear about her role and responsibilities. Her co-workers understand the safeguarding policy and procedure. The childminder carries out thorough risk assessments of her home and for each type of outing. The playroom is organised well to provide children of differing ages sufficient space to play and the ability to help themselves to a good range of toys and resources safely. Required documentation is well maintained well in order to promote children's good health and welfare. Regular fire drills take place and the childminder notes the date of the drill, but does not record details of any problems encountered and how they were resolved as good practice. The childminder holds

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the early years provision

a valid first aid certificate and deals with any accidents appropriately.

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the early years provision

The childminder evaluates her individual childminding service and discusses improvements with her co-childminder. She is an active member of the local childminding network and demonstrates a commitment to improve her service. She plans to attend further training and embrace any advice from the local advisory teacher. Recommendations from the last inspection have been addressed. This has improved recording keeping and demonstrates her capacity to make necessary improvements. The childminder provides a service that is inclusive for all children; they are supported well and are encouraged to have a sense of belonging in the setting. She encourages children with the same home languages to attend at similar times to support their communication and language skills. The adults caring for the children learn key phrases in the children's home languages and plan activities that help children to learn about their differences and to value diversity.

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the early years provision

Systems are in place to provide support for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder has explored the use of various systems to help her to plan for children's individual learning and to monitor their progress. She now uses a specific publication designed for this and it is working well. In addition, she collates photographs, samples of children's art and records notes in a daily diary. In this way she ensures that those working with her and the children's parents have a clear picture of where the children are in their development and how they can support the next steps for children's learning.

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the early years provision

Engagement with parents is good. She has established strong relationships with them and obtains useful information from them when the children start and during their regular conversations. This provides her with valuable information about children's individual needs. Parents report that the childminder provides a warm, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 nurturing and stimulating environment for the children. They say that she knows the children well and their children receive care that is very individual. The childminder is keen to work alongside other agencies as and when the need arises in order to support children's individual needs. She has established links with other early years providers that are involved in the children's care to ensure her provision complements the education and care they receive elsewhere.

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and outcomes for children

Overall, children make good progress towards the early learning goals as the childminder provides a wide range of interesting activities to support their learning. They are developing skills for the future well. Children form good relationships with the childminder and other adults in the setting. A number of children are settling in and the childminder is sensitive to their needs as they gain a sense of belonging. Children are encouraged to behave well as adults are good role models and are consistent in their approach. There is a structured routine, but within this the children are able to make choices about their play as resources are arranged attractively at a low level. Therefore, they are encouraged to become independent. Activities are often based around themes, for example, children are learning about different countries. They are taught some words, taste foods from the focus country and look at related books. Children's interests are also incorporated into

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and outcomes for children

Children learn to become skilful communicators as adults talk to them a lot and ask simple questions to encourage their language and thinking. Children confidently use language and gestures to make their needs known and the adults are responsive to them. Children learn songs and the accompanying actions. Many of their favourite songs encourage them to count and calculate, for example, when singing about sizzling sausages that pop and bang. Children push dolls around the garden in buggies, negotiating the space successfully. In addition, outings to the park give children more opportunities to enjoy fresh air, exercise and to explore the natural environment. Children relish creating structures from a variety of recycled products. This, alongside growing activities, supports children's emerging understanding of sustainability. Good opportunities are in place for children to learn to care for living things such as the childminder's pet tortoises.

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and outcomes for children

Although the children do have opportunities for free expression, there are many adult-directed art projects planned. These adult determined activities are prominently displayed on the walls as well as in the children's progress files. Such activities introduce children to different crafts and techniques but do not encourage them to explore their own creativity.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn how to keep themselves safe as they practise fire drills ensuring they know how to evacuate the home efficiently in the event of an emergency. They are also members of a road safety club and learn how to keep safe on outings, including wearing high visibility jackets to improve their safety. Children are offered nutritious snacks and meals in line with their dietary requirements. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 They learn about different foods and about healthy eating. They are keen to try new foods, for example, the Italian cheese they taste as part of their discovery about different countries and traditional foods. 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 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 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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