Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY426366 Inspection date 30/11/2011 Inspector Chris Hodge

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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 was registered in 2011. She lives with her husband and 16 month old baby, in a two bedroom flat, in Rotherhithe, within the London borough of Southwark. Most areas of the ground floor flat are used for childminding, except for the master bedroom and balcony. The premises are accessible via one step. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of four children under eight years; of these, two may be in the early years age group at any one time. She is currently caring for two children in the early years age group, one of whom who is at full time school. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 provides children with a welcoming and highly stimulating home environment. Her very good professional knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage ensures that children are fully supported to make excellent progress overall across all areas of their learning and development. Children's health, safety and well-being are significantly enhanced by the robust and highly consistent implementation of policies, procedures and very good practice. Excellent partnerships with parents and other early years professionals ensure that children settle well and their individual needs are consistently met. The childminder is fully committed to maintaining continuous improvement and is further developing her already good systems for self-evaluation.

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further?

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

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further?

 increasing children's understanding that text carries meaning through the use of picture and written labelling on boxes of play resources and equipment.

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the early years provision

The childminder is fully aware of her role and responsibility to safeguard the welfare of children. She is exceptionally well-informed about child protection issues and has a comprehensive safeguarding policy, in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures, that is shared with parents. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate and all adults living on the premises have been appropriately vetted. Rigorous risk assessments for the home and outings, together with regularly practiced emergency evacuation procedures help to ensure This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children are kept safe. All required documentation is in place and is professionally maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes excellent use of the available space within her home. Furniture, equipment and resources are of high quality and suitable for the ages of children to support their learning and development. An extensive range of play resources in the lounge and small bedroom are very accessible to children. This encourages them to self-select what they want to play with and to become independent and active learners. The childminder promotes equality and diversity well. She provides resources that reflect positive images of diversity. She welcomes all children and families into her home. She establishes excellent relationships with parents and works in partnership to support children's individual needs and to enhance their learning and development. She has a very good knowledge of each child's background and needs through 'Getting to know you' forms and discussions with parents when a child first starts. Parents are provided with considerable

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the early years provision

information about all aspects of her childminding practice in a portfolio that includes written policies and procedures. Information about children's day and progress is shared daily in a two-way contact book, verbally and at regular organised meetings. Photographs of activities and outings are emailed to parents each Friday allowing them to see examples of their children's play and progress. This provides them with excellent opportunities to be fully involved in their children's learning. The childminder has excellent links and works in partnership with other early years settings children attend to ensure continuity and consistency in their learning. Although she has not minded any children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, she has previous experience of supporting them in group settings to inform her practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder is a very knowledgeable and experienced childcare practitioner and has been extremely proactive in enhancing her professional development. She holds a BTEC National Diploma in Childhood Studies, a CACHE Certificate in Playwork and a Foundation Degree of Arts in Early Years and Education. She demonstrates a high level of ambition to provide good quality care and to continually improve outcomes for children. She reflects on her provision and has started to complete a written self-evaluation to more rigorously assess her strengths and areas for development. She identifies several areas for future development that include providing high-visibility jackets for outings, introducing parent questionnaires and keeping a record of visitors.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely relaxed and very much at home in the childminder's care. They relate exceptionally well to the childminder who is warm and responsive and demonstrates a very good understanding of their individual needs and preferences. The childminder supports them fully and they make excellent progress across all areas of their learning and development in relation to their starting points and capabilities. She observes children through play and spends time with them during activities. The information gained about their interests, skills and abilities is used to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 track children's progress towards the early learning goals and to highly effectively plan activities that engage them and help them to make progress. The activities children are offered promote their significant development in each of the six areas of learning of the Early Years Foundation Stage and help them to gain skills for the

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and outcomes for children

Children show a strong sense of being safe and secure and display extremely high levels of confidence and self-esteem. The childminder builds their confidence through familiar routines, positive relationships and high-quality interaction. They show great curiosity and are inquisitive and active learners as they confidently explore their stimulating environment. Children are developing very good language and listening skills because the childminder constantly talks to them and encourages their responses. Younger children are beginning to vocalise and to imitate sounds and actions. They have access to an extensive range of good quality books and respond with excitement to music, rhymes and stories read to them by the childminder. Older children enjoy making their own story books and reading with the childminder after school. However, there is no labelling on boxes of resources or equipment to further increase children's awareness that text carries

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and outcomes for children

meaning. Children have great fun as they develop their creativity with the dressing-up clothes and take turns to play various musical instruments. They have good opportunities for painting, drawing and to practise their early writing skills. The childminder effectively uses routines and activities to encourage children to develop mathematical concepts such as counting, number, colour and shape recognition. Various puzzles, construction resources and cause and effect toys are available to encourage children's problem solving skills. During the week children enjoy regular outings to the local children's centre where they have great fun socialising with other children and take part in activities different to those provided at home. Children also benefit from trips to museums, farms, zoos, parks, shops, markets, library and local places of interests to help broaden their knowledge and understanding of the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and welfare is fully promoted and the childminder's very good practice is underpinned by comprehensive written policies and procedures. For example, her sickness policy which includes a chart for exclusion periods for infectious diseases helps to ensure that cross-infection is minimised. Appropriate procedures for the administration and recording of medication and accidents are in place. Children are cared for in a very clean and well-maintained environment and are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles. They have many different opportunities to engage in a wide range of physical activities, both indoors and out, helping them to gain a secure understanding about the importance of regular exercise, as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. When walking to and from school and during activities the childminder talks to children about road safety, keeping safe when out in the dark and stranger danger. Children learn from an early age the

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and outcomes for children

importance of hand washing. They know to use their individual flannels, hand towels and liquid soap, which help prevent cross-infection. The childminder promotes healthy eating and offers children a healthy balanced diet. She is fully aware children's special dietary requirements and provides children with fresh fruit and vegetables and water to drink. Mealtimes are a nice social occasion where the childminder sits with the children to eat and encourages their independent skills. Younger children are extremely content and settled because their individual health, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 physical and dietary needs are very well met. The childminder acts a good role model and encourages children to develop their social skills and to behave in a positive manner. They clap their hands in delight when they do something to help or well. They are very confident and develop self-esteem through lots of praise and

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and outcomes for children

encouragement from the childminder. 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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