Childminder in Lewisham

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY365407 Inspection date 08/12/2011 Inspector Denys Rasmussen

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2008. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine years and 15 years in Sydenham, in the London Borough of Lewisham. The whole of the downstairs of the childminder's house is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding five children, of whom one is in the early years age range. The childminder collects children from the local schools. The family has two pet cats.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's individuality is recognised and nurtured by the childminder, who has a secure knowledge of their individual needs, interests and abilities. As a result, children make good progress in their learning. Partnerships with parents and other settings children attend are strong. Consequently, there are good communication systems and information is shared well. The capacity for sustained improvement is good as the childminder is always looking to improve on the service she provides and she has made significant improvements since the last inspection. Overall, children's welfare, learning and development is successfully promoted in a safe and stimulating environment.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop children's awareness of other forms of communication such as signing and pictorial communication such as visual timetables.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has attended safeguarding training which has enabled her to have a good understanding of her responsibility and legal duties with regards to child protection issues. The childminder practises fire evacuation so that children learn how to leave the premises quickly and safely and her effective policies and procedures work very well in practice. As a consequence, children are able to play in a safe, healthy, secure and stimulating environment. The required records and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 documentation relating to all aspects of childminding are in place and well maintained. The environment is welcoming and conducive to learning. The good quality play resources are freely available to enable children to make choices in their play.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure she has sufficient information about children's backgrounds and needs, to enable her to give the best care possible. Children learn about the beliefs and cultural traditions of others when they celebrate events such as Nikolaus, Halloween, Christmas and Chinese New Year. The childminder values children's home language and is particularly sensitive in supporting children with English as an additional language as she is herself bilingual. Although, she has not as yet introduced children to other forms of communication such as sign language and pictorial communication. The childminder provides left-handed scissors to enable all children to participate equally in cutting activities and skin-tone felt tips so children can depict themselves accurately.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is very motivated and has made considerable improvements since the last inspection. For example, she has increased resources that provide positive images that challenge children's thinking and help them to embrace differences. She now ensures children have independent access to drinking water and she has improved the information she gains from parents about their children. The childminder reflects on her service through self-evaluation, maintaining continuous improvement. She is constantly increasing her knowledge base through ongoing training such as promoting positive behaviour and attending a creative workshop for children's activities. She has also completed a level 3 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in children's care, learning and development.

p.5

the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are fostered well and parents are encouraged to share what they know about their child, particularly when children first start attending. They are fully informed about the childminder's role and the care that is provided through discussion and the childminder's informative portfolio. The childminder liaises with other settings the children attend to gain information to enable her to complement the child's learning. The childminder gives parents detailed information about their child's day. This may be through daily verbal feedback, observational assessments, photographs, email, text and a daily diary to enable consistency of care. The childminder values parents' opinions and uses questionnaires to seek their suggestions. In response to parents' requests she now has homework sessions and plans to attend lessons at the child's school in order for her to support this further. Parents are very happy with the service the

p.5

the early years provision

childminder provides. They comment that the childminder shares 'lots of information' about their child and they particularly appreciate the photographs. They report that the childminder is 'friendly and approachable' and supports their child's language development by being very 'engaging'. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder initially finds out from parents what their children's starting points are, including their current interests and learning styles. This helps her to set realistic learning goals and adapt the environment and activities to support the child's learning. She regularly evaluates her observations, relating them to the areas of learning and records this in a report for parents' information. This is then used in consultation with parents to plan children's future learning. Children's profiles are presented attractively with observations, evaluations, photographs, the child's work and daily information. This is used effectively to share information with parents and to track children's progress. The childminder nurtures children's emotional well-being when she is at their level when playing with them, giving them warm physical reassurance. Close relationships are evident and the children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's home. The childminder uses the school

p.6

and outcomes for children

run as an opportunity to teach the children road safety. Children understand how to keep themselves safe, for example, when following the rules during trampoline play. Children are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles, for example, incorporating fresh air and exercise as part of their daily routine and being offered nutritious, home-cooked meals and snacks. When the children are involved in preparing food, the childminder uses this as an opportunity to discuss various aspects of healthy eating and drinking.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children learn about the world around them and engage in detailed conversations when playing with the abundance of small world equipment. Children name different animals and birds and point out details about them, for example 'Peacocks have lots of feathers' and 'Unicorns aren't real'. Children are motivated to learn and concentrate carefully while using their imagination in role play. Children skilfully create and design, for example, carefully placing tiny apples on a tree and looking up at the childminder proudly when complete. The childminder promotes children's confidence when praising their efforts. The children behave well and enjoy the time they spend with the childminder because of her positive and encouraging interaction. Children happily involve the childminder in their play, which enables the childminder to extend their play when she asks them questions to make them think. For example, she asks what treatment the child's doll needs

p.6

and outcomes for children

because the child says the doll is ill with chickenpox. The childminder uses information she knows about the children to interest them in activities. For example, she shows a child a fruit that has the same name as her aunt and explains that it is grown in the Caribbean, encouraging the child to look, smell and taste it. Children use technology with confidence, accessing computers, the shop till and taking photographs of the cats. The childminder engages the children in games to support numeracy skills and talks to the children in their home language as well as English to support language development and to help consolidate their learning. Plenty of praise and encouragement from the childminder boosts the children's self-esteem and contributes to their positive attitude to learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8