Childminder in GreenwichOfsted inspection, 10 Nov 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 510596 Inspection date 10/11/2011 Inspector Justine George

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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 1992. She lives with her husband and two adult sons in Greenwich, London. The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is an upstairs family bathroom for children to use. Children play in the fully enclosed garden. The house is in walking distance of a railway station and local bus routes. There are schools, parks and local amenities close by.

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Description of the childminding

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 four children under the age of eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early year's age range, and one may be under one. The childminder currently minds three children aged five years, 21 and 11 months on a part-time basis. The childminder supports children who speak English as an additional language and those who have special educational needs and /or disabilities. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends toddler groups.

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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 make good progress in their learning and development and overall, there are sound systems in place to monitor their progress. Children enjoy playing with the good range of toys and most exploration is well supported by the childminder. The childminder is well organised and has all the required documentation is in place. The childminder effectively drives improvement. She has addressed past recommendations and attends training courses to promote good outcomes for children.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve planning further by observing and reflecting on children's spontaneous play  encourage young children as they explore particular patterns of thought or movement, sometimes referred to as schemas, in order to help support children's exploration during their play. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's safety and welfare is of high regard to the childminder. She demonstrates good knowledge of child protection procedures and has a good range of reference materials to refer to in the event of any concerns. As a result, children are well protected. The childminder is very well organised and has all the required documentation in place. This demonstrates her good knowledge of the welfare requirement and means that children are cared for in line with parents wishes. There are a good range of written policies and procedures for parents, to ensure they are well informed of the childminder's responsibilities in caring for children. The home is safe and secure as risk assessments identify hazards and the childminder takes action to minimise these.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of how to promote equality and diversity for children. She has some resources which depict positive images of diversity and the environment enables children to have good access to the toys, which helps them develop their play ideas. Children visit local places of interest, learning about the diverse society in which we live. The childminder meets the needs of children well. This is due to the good relationships she has with parents and information they share with her about their child. As a result, the childminder has a good insight to family life as well as children's individual needs. The childminder seeks the views of parents through the use of questionnaires. Parents comment that they are happy with how the childminder cares for their children and that the childminder is well organised. The childminder also works in partnership with other practitioners where children attend other settings. Verbal

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the early years provision

communication takes place to pass on messages and the childminder also finds out about some learning styles to support children in developing, for example, their phonic awareness. Therefore, continuity and consistency of care is maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder has the capacity to drive improvement well. She has addressed past recommendations to further promote children's safety, for example, by checking unfamiliar adult's identification and ensuring the radiators do not pose a safety risk to children. The childminder keeps her knowledge up-to-date through attending training courses. She has also used the online self-evaluation to review her practice and liaises with other practitioners to share ideas. As a result, outcomes for children are well promoted as the childminder's knowledge reflects current practice.

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and outcomes for children

Children are achieving well and they develop good skills for their future lives. The home is welcoming and set out with a good range of activities. This stimulates children's curiosity, and helps them develop a positive approach towards learning. The childminder's planning and assessment is good. She keeps photographs of children at play and written observations, which are linked to show the areas of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning covered. Observations are used to plan the next steps to support children in making progress. However, the childminder does not always note observations of children's spontaneous play to include in their learning and development records. Children are showing good levels of communication using sentences, babbles and pointing to show they have noticed something. The childminder responds to children well, asking questions and inviting conversation, supporting

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and outcomes for children

children in developing their communication skills. The childminder supports most aspects of young children's exploration well. For example, children press and turn buttons to make animals pop up; they also use puppets and enjoy listening to songs, giggling when the puppet tickles their tummy. Children enjoy drawing where they make swirls and dots on the paper and very young children participate, copying older children. The childminder plays alongside children well and provides language, talking about what they are doing. She also asks about and introduces concepts of shape and colour. However, the childminder is not yet familiar with children's particular patterns of play, sometimes referred to schemas, and how to extend such ideas. As a result, such significant play may not be fully explored.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and are making a positive contribution. This stems from a good settling in procedure which makes for a smooth transition from home. The childminder is well informed about children's individual needs and adheres to home routines, which provides children with emotional security. Children relate well to the childminder seeking cuddles when required and making their needs known, for example, when they are tired or hungry. The childminder responds to little personality traits and children are soon happy and content. Children are confident in the home, choosing what they would like to play with and exploring the space available. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe as they participate in fire drills, learning what to do in the event of an emergency. Very young children also have opportunities to practice their new found skills of standing. The childminder is close by to offer support and minimise the risk of injury. Children

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and outcomes for children

also help to tidy up, therefore minimising tripping hazards.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is well promoted. The childminder is well informed of children's dietary needs and stages of weaning. She provides a lovely range of snacks and meals which are made using mostly fresh produce. Children enjoy fresh fruit, bread sticks and savoury snacks, and drinks are given when they are thirsty. The childminder is aware of outdoor limitations for some children; therefore, children have good opportunities for fresh air and exercise. Children enjoy using the garden where they make and watch bubbles as they float in the wind. Children also visit local groups and parks, helps them lead active lifestyles. 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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