Childminder in Camden

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY362414 Inspection date 05/12/2011 Inspector Helen Steven

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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 2007. She lives with her lodger in a three-bedroom house in Kentish Town, in the London Borough of Camden. The areas of the house used for childminding purposes are the living room, dining room, kitchen and downstairs toilet. There is a rear garden available for outside play. The childminder is on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years. There are currently two children on roll in the early years age group, who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She holds a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3 in Childcare and Development.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make good progress as they enjoy varied play experiences that support their learning and development, although systems for monitoring are not so robust. The childminder knows how to respond to safeguard children but has not carried out risk assessments effectively to meet regulations and to minimise all hazards. The childminder has satisfactory capacity for maintaining continuous improvement. She understands the importance of reviewing and improving her practice but has not undertaken significant self-evaluation to ensure she identifies priorities for development. Positive relationships with parents and a strong commitment to working in partnership with other professionals help provide consistent care and suitably meet children's needs. Most required documentation is in place, although the childminder does not seek all permissions from parents.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 improve the risk assessment to include all hazards that need to be checked on a daily basis, including loose cabling, and maintain a record of these risk assessments, clearly stating when they are carried out, by whom and the date of review (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 30/12/2011

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further?

 request written parental permission to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future. (Safeguarding and promoting children's 30/12/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 welfare)

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the systems to monitor children's progress and development in ways which can be easily shared with parents and other agencies if required  develop procedures to promote reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify priorities for development to improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge of the signs and symptoms of possible safeguarding concerns. She is aware of how to respond to any concern to help ensure children are safeguarded and has guidance to support her in this process. She has carried out a risk assessment for her home; however this is not completed in line with requirements and is not fully effective. This is a breach of a specific legal requirement. As a result, loose cabling is present in the living room, which was identified as a hazard at the last inspection. The childminder is aware that she needs to notify the regulator of her new lodger to enable required checks to be carried out.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates that she is suitably aware of the children's individual needs and knows about their cultural backgrounds. She has developed her knowledge of children's learning and development since the last inspection, as she has obtained a Level 3 qualification in childcare. She has a varied range of age appropriate resources, some of which reflect the diversity of the community. She makes use of learning opportunities within the local environment to enhance children's knowledge. The childminder reports she has 'decluttered' her living room since the last inspection, in order to give children clearer space. She is in the process of developing a further room to effectively enhance and extend space for children's learning. Children are primarily cared for in the living room, where an interesting range of toys is placed at different levels. This effectively encourages babies to cruise round the furniture.

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the early years provision

The childminder has adopted a suitable range of written policies and procedures to keep parents informed of her practice. However, these have not all been updated to reflect the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. Most required records are in place to promote children's health and welfare. However, the childminder has not sought to obtain emergency medical consent for minded children. This is a breach of a specific legal requirement. The childminder demonstrates through discussion that she is able to satisfactorily reflect on her service and identify some areas of strength and weakness. However, this is not fully effective in evaluating and identifying her priorities for development. She has attended to the recommendations from the last inspection, although these are not all fully achieved. The childminder has gained a Level 3 qualification, which demonstrates This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

her ambition to maintain continuous improvement. She holds a valid, first aid certificate to enable her to treat children appropriately in the event of an accident. The childminder reports that she has positive relationships with parents and they are kept effectively informed about their children's well-being and development through conversations. The childminder has a positive attitude to working alongside other agencies as and when the need arises. She has forged strong links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage where her minded children attend. This enables her to provide consistency and extension to children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well settled in the care of this childminder in her family home. They form warm and friendly relationships with the childminder and snuggle into her for comfort and reassurance. The childminder knows the children well and can recall their progress and next steps in learning. She identifies that it would be more effective to record children's observations and progress in individual portfolios. In addition, she identifies that this would strengthen the information given to parents. She has obtained systems to further support her in monitoring children's progress, although these have not been implemented.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a varied range of experiences and activities to support each child's learning and development. She commentates throughout the day, asking questions and responding to children's communications, as they explore sounds made by shaking a water bottle. Children develop an understanding of numeracy, for example, as they count animals in the local city farm. The childminder makes this activity interesting by providing a check sheet showing pictures of the animals. Babies are beginning to develop skills for the future as they actively explore their surroundings with curiosity and interest. They investigate the textures of items in a treasure basket and laugh at the feel of a 'spiky' and 'squidgy' ball. Babies are supported in standing and begin to cruise around the furniture. Young children have opportunities to throw and catch soft balls, hop, skip, jump and wiggle like snakes along the floor.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes children's good health and well-being and takes the necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection. For example, babies' hands are cleansed before eating. Children have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise, as they go to the park. In partnership with parents, children are provided with healthy, nutritious snacks and lunches and the childminder is well aware of children's individual dietary needs. Young children are being supported in gaining an understanding of how to keep themselves safe, for example, in an emergency. They are introduced to fire evacuation procedures that are presented as a game of 'getting out the house quickly'. The childminder manages children's behaviour well according to their age and stage of development. Praise and encouragement are well used to enable children to develop confidence and good self-esteem. 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 3 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 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Early Years section of the report (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 30/12/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Early Years section of the report (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 30/12/2011

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