Childminder in Lambeth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 961200 Inspection date 22/11/2011 Inspector Angela Ramsey

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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 August 2001. She lives with her partner and three children aged 17, 13 and four years in the London borough of Lambeth. The ground floor of the home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for five children under eight years at any one time and of these, two may be in the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for four children in the early years age group, who attend on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

The childminder gains knowledge of each child's needs prior to them starting. This allows her to promote their welfare and learning successfully. Children have access to effective learning opportunities and, as a result, make good progress in their learning and development. Arrangements to promote children's welfare are implemented effectively. Trusting relationships with parents promote consistency of care. The childminder takes positive action to maintain continuous improvement to her service, setting good targets for improvement. However, her system for monitoring all aspects of the provision does not always assess it against challenging quality criteria in order to build on her current good practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the system for self-evaluation by assessing what the setting offers against robust and challenging quality criteria so that areas for improvement can be clearly prioritised to further improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding matters and understands her role and responsibilities. Effective risk assessments identify potential hazards in the home, garden and on outings. Suitable safety precautions This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are taken to minimise identified risks and the childminder is vigilant in her supervision of the children to promote their safety. Regular fire drills are carried out with the children to familiarise them with the emergency evacuation procedure and the details of these are recorded. The childminder has an up-to-date knowledge of first aid and follows clear safeguarding procedures. She requests all required parental consents and records any medicines she administers.

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes positive partnerships with parents. She keeps them informed of their children's progress through daily conversations and provides copies of policies and procedures she has developed to support her service. Parents are kept informed of their child's development. The childminder's systems to observe and assess children's progress are effective. Her written observations identify where they are in their learning. She then uses this information to plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child's next steps in learning, and these are linked to all six areas of learning. The childminder is aware of the need to establish working relationships to ensure continuity of care for children, by sharing relevant information with other practitioners who implement the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Currently, children do not receive care in any other setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to professional development and continuous improvement, and has attended training to enhance outcomes for children. She regularly reflects on her practice, accurately identifying aspects for improvement and implementing effective action plans. She has fully addressed the recommendations made at the last inspection. Overall, her informal methods of self-evaluation work well to achieve good outcomes for children. However she has not fully considered the benefits of assessing what she offers against robust and challenging quality criteria and using this to identify further aspects for improvement in order to achieve even better outcomes for children. The childminder actively promotes equality and diversity. She works closely with parents and becomes familiar with each child's needs, such as their likes and dislikes, food preferences and sleep routines. The childminder provides resources

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the early years provision

to increase children's understanding of the wider world. For example, children can choose from a selection of books depicting people of different cultures, puzzles, musical instruments and small play figures. Good quality resources are used successfully to support children's learning and development. Children freely access books to aid their communication, language and literacy skills. The welcoming environment is conducive to learning, both indoors and outdoors.

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and outcomes for children

The children cared for are all aged under 18 months. They are happy, secure and settled in the childminder's care. She creates a comfortable, welcoming and child- centred environment where children are able to enjoy the activities on offer. Resources are easily accessible, which enables children to confidently choose the play materials that interest them. The childminder provides a wide range of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning opportunities and experiences that stimulate and challenge children's knowledge and understanding. Outings to local childminding groups and parks are organised to develop children's social and physical skills. Children enjoy developing their early writing skills with a variety of resources, such as crayons. The childminder sits with the children blowing bubbles and the children squeal with delight as they reach out to touch them. Children also enjoy making the actions to

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and outcomes for children

favourite songs, such as pretending to wind a bobbin up. Outdoor play is a firm favourite, either in the childminder's garden or in the outdoor play areas of local childminding groups. Children learn to ride scooters and tricycles and engage in sand and water play. Young children and babies investigate interactive toys gaining awareness of information and communication technology. Building using construction toys and the completion of puzzles enable children to practise their problem solving skills. The childminder supports children's healthy lifestyles effectively by meeting individual health, physical and dietary needs. She implements positive hygiene routines to prevent the spread of infection and promote children's good health. For example, the childminder follows good nappy changing practices and promotes children's understanding of the importance of hand washing through their daily routine. The childminder devises menus that include healthy and nutritious meals

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and outcomes for children

and snacks. Children's welfare is promoted through good quality interaction and well-organised routines. Children's behaviour is very good given their age and the childminder uses appropriate techniques to manage their behaviour, in line with their stage of development. The childminder rewards positive behaviour with copious amounts of praise and explains to children in language they understand why any behaviour is not acceptable. Everyday experiences help children to acquire skills for the future. For example, children are encouraged to try and put their shoes on, tidy away the toys and feed themselves. 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 3 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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