Childminder in Lambeth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY275522 Inspection date 08/11/2011 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 registered in 2003. She lives with her son who attends a college of further education. They live in a two bed roomed flat situated on the second floor of a converted house located in the Stockwell area of southwest London. The childminder's home is close to transport links, local shops, parks and schools. Rooms used for childminding include the living room, one bedroom, the kitchen/diner and toilet and bathroom facilities. There is no outdoor play space but children are taken out daily.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register to care for three children under eight years at any one time and all may be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for children aged 14 months, two years nine months, four years and 11 months and one older child after school who is eight years and one month old. All of the children attend on a part time basis. The childminder looks after children from Monday to Thursday inclusive throughout the year. The childminder has a NVQ Level 3 in Childcare, Learning and Development and she has also attained Early Years Professional Status (EYPS).

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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

Children are very happy, safe and secure in the care of the childminder. Children are making outstanding progress given their age and starting points. Partnerships with parents are excellent and the detailed information that the adults share helps the childminder to meet the individual needs of the children. The childminder carefully evaluates nearly all aspects of her work and she takes well planned steps to secure ongoing improvement. She is very conscientious and her studies help her to achieve exceptionally high standards in her work with 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?

 Plan an environment that is richer in signs, symbols, notices and words that take into account children's different interests and understanding.

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the early years provision

The childminder gives safeguarding children a high priority. She ensures that her home is safe, that children are carefully supervised at all times and all family This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 members are checked for suitability. She shares her policy and procedure documents with parents so they are aware of her responsibilities. She keeps her knowledge and understanding of child protection matters up to date through ongoing training and through discussions with local authority advisors and children's centre workers. She is very well informed about the signs or symptoms that can indicate ill treatment. To further strengthen her approach to safeguarding the childminder has devised new policies about bullying, mobile phones and the use of computers. The childminder conducts a thorough self evaluation exercise and she identifies areas to improve. This includes a successful initiative to encourage parents to add

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the early years provision

their comments to the children's learning journeys. She has undertaken very valuable training courses and she applies her learning very effectively to her work with children. The childminder has a wide range of good quality toys, books and resources which she stores so that the children can make independent choices and decisions. She observes the children carefully and studies their learning journey records to make sure that the toys and resources she provides are interesting, challenging and well matched to their stage of development. She makes excellent use of children's centres in the local area to provide children with opportunities to socialise and space and resources for outdoor play. Every child is important to the childminder and she builds on the information provided by parents to ensure that individual care and learning needs are met. She actively celebrates diverse cultural events including Black History month. She

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the early years provision

introduces children to the smell and taste of exotic fruits and she prepares a variety of savoury dishes from different parts of the world. The childminder has completed a worthwhile six month course about meeting the needs of children with complex needs and learning difficulties. She is acutely aware of the importance of working in close partnership with specialists and advisors although she has not yet been called upon to apply her skills. The childminder has established excellent relationships with parents. They complete questionnaires at six monthly intervals and when their children move on to school or to other providers. Parents comment very favourably about their children's progress, the happy family atmosphere and how much their children look forward to coming to the childminder. They say that the childminder provides healthy food and they mention how much their children enjoy their outings and

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the early years provision

activities. They also comment on her flexibility and willingness to accommodate any changes in their schedule.

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and outcomes for children

The children show in their relaxed body language and their happy smiles that they feel safe in the care of the childminder. The childminder is gentle, positive and encouraging in her approach to behaviour management. She raises children's self esteem through praise so that they learn to gain her attention in positive ways. Her approach is very successful. The children get along very well together and their behaviour is exemplary. They help to put away their toys and they are fully involved in preparing meals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder supports children exceptionally well in learning to adopt a healthy lifestyle. She welcomes them into a clean environment and keeps their toys clean. She reminds them to take a clean tissue and throw it away straight after use. She follows rigorous routines for good hygiene at nappy change time. The childminder

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and outcomes for children

carefully heeds parental requirements concerning their diet. She offers children sliced fresh fruit snacks and milk or water to drink and they eat with obvious pleasure. She is happy to give children food from home or she provides healthy, balanced meals which are cooked using fresh ingredients. She makes up for the lack of outdoor space at her home by taking children to soft play centres, parks and children's centres for healthy exercise. The childminder has given a lot of thought to developing children's skills for the future and she is very successful in her work. She helps children to learn good manners and to take turns and be considerate of the needs and feelings of other children. She gives them her full attention and listens carefully to what they have to say to give them confidence. Children's speech is gaining clarity and their vocabulary is growing rapidly. Children are developing a love of books and they

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and outcomes for children

handle them correctly. They choose their favourite stories and they listen exceptionally well because the childminder is a very skillful story teller. She encourages play writing although there are few examples of signs or labels around the area where they play to show them how writing is used. The childminder helps children to learn about shapes, numbers and counting as they play. They look at the numbers on houses, cars and buses when they go out and about and they are beginning to recognise numerals. Children have easy access to battery operated toys and they take great pleasure in pressing buttons to see what will happen. The childminder also shows them how to operate a DVD player. The childminder helps children to learn about the world around them through outings, planned activities and through incidental play. She encourages them to explore their surroundings for example by handling the fruit in the fruit bowl. She

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and outcomes for children

scratches the skin on citrus fruits, bananas, pears and mangoes so that the children can smell them and they taste them too. She asks well worded questions to make children think and give their own opinions. She provides them with valuable opportunities to explore materials and textures including sand, water, glue, paint and other media. The childminder shares a contact book with parents that describes the day's activities and mentions 'memorable moments'. She also compiles a large book that tracks each child's learning journey with photographs and pertinent notes. The childminder identifies children's steps and stages of learning very clearly and she uses the information gained to plan how she will help them to take the next steps. 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 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 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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