Childminder in Croydon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY252384 Inspection date 06/10/2011 Inspector Denys Rasmussen

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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 registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged 12, 10 and four years. They live in a house in Penge, in the London Borough of Bromley, within easy access of transport links. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children in this age group on roll. The childminder has a National Nursery Examination Board (NNEB) qualification. The family has a pet hamster.

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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 self-evaluation and capacity to make continuous improvements has enabled her to provide a very high standard of care and education. She meets all the Early Years Foundation stage requirements extremely well. She is experienced and motivated with an exceptional knowledge of each child's individual needs. This means that, overall, children's welfare, learning and development are promoted highly successfully. The childminder gives high priority to safeguarding children. She works extremely well with parents and other settings to support children's well-being, learning and development. She has a very clear vision for her service and has successfully created a stimulating, nurturing and inclusive environment.

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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 children's awareness of other communication systems such as signing and Braille.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent awareness of safeguarding issues and is well aware of her responsibility to protect children. Children's health, safety and well- being are significantly enhanced by the childminder's excellent risk assessments. She also has robust policies and procedures which she implements highly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effectively. The childminder keeps her knowledge and skills up-to-date by attending relevant training and is highly motivated. She uses publications and the internet to research good practice ideas. Her self-evaluation is highly reflective and as a result continuous improvements have enabled her to reach a high standard of care and education. She seeks feedback from parents through questionnaires to help her in this process.

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the early years provision

The childminder values children's individuality and helps children to feel good about themselves by respecting their ideas and using lots of praise. She has an exceptional knowledge of each child's background and individual needs and follows the child's home routine to help to ensure consistency. She recognises barriers to learning and has attended training to enable her to better support boys' learning. This helped her to identify how to support children's different learning styles resulting in positive outcomes and experiences for all children. Children have excellent opportunities to learn about wider society. For example, they take part in a rich and varied range of activities to celebrate Rosh Shanah. The childminder's home is child friendly and welcoming with a strong emphasis on outdoor play and sensory and messy activities. The childminder has a clear vision of high quality education and, as a result, has run a group for parents to support their children's

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the early years provision

learning through sensory play. She uses her highly effective transition policy to ensure a shared approach to children's care and learning when they attend other settings.

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the early years provision

The childminder has fostered excellent partnerships with parents. She respects their wishes and has established a highly effective two-way flow of information. She visits the children at their home to support their settling in, which helps them to get to know her in familiar surroundings. Parents report that 'the childminder was very professional when demonstrating her experience and qualifications. Everything was displayed readily and was well presented. We are in no doubt that she has more than enough experience and expertise to look after our child'. Parents particularly appreciate the daily diary and comment that when they were anxious to leave their child the childminder texted them with 'updates and reassurances. She also texts the occasional photo if my child is doing something new or particularly fun.'

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a highly stimulating environment where they have access to an abundance of enriching play resources and learning experiences. The childminder has organised her home and garden to fully cater for children's love of nature and has used all opportunities to provide an environment rich in sensory experiences and to promote physical development. For example, children dig in the garden, experiment with gloop, corn flour and play dough and make 'clean mud' with tissue and soap. Children can access resources freely and plan simple projects and practise their skills. Natural resources are brought indoors such as conkers, pine cones, acorns and leaves, which spark children's interest and support their exploration of shapes, sizes and textures. The children sort them and match them This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and balance and build with them which supports their problem solving and

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and outcomes for children

numeracy skills. The childminder's sensitive observations of the children are linked to the areas of learning and next steps for learning are planned according to the child's individual interests. For example, a child is interested in aeroplanes so the childminder encourages them to look at the colours of aeroplanes and what they are made of, experimenting with rubber and metal. An airport is set up for role play to inspire imaginative play and mathematical skills are supported when they count down to the rocket launch. The childminder extends this interest by planning a trip to an airport. The children have free access to a huge range of different materials, natural objects and construction equipment which support them to find their own solutions in the design and making process.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder treats mealtimes as an opportunity to promote children's social development. While the children are enjoying the nutritious, varied and home- cooked food, the childminder engages with them, talking about foods that are healthy. Children attend regular groups where they make friends and practise their social skills. Realistic boundaries and the childminder's skilful guidance supports children to behave extremely well. Excellent hygiene routines such as regular hand washing and using individual hand towels and flannels reduce the risk of cross- infection. The childminder's positive and warm relationship with children nurtures their well-being and encourages their use of language because she is highly responsive and reassuring. This results in children being relaxed and secure, confidently using speech. The childminder has used other communication methods such as picture exchange to support children's communication needs but has not

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and outcomes for children

as yet introduced the children to signing or Braille. The childminder knows the children well and cuddles up with them to read their favourite book. Children take part in the story telling and thoroughly enjoy the close contact with the childminder. They are extremely confident in communicating their thoughts. Their excellent relationship with the childminder and the exemplary organisation of routines help them to gain an exceptionally strong sense of security. They engage in activities, such as the traffic club, to learn about road safety and other activities to learn about fire safety. 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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