Childminder in Merton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY428732 Inspection date 20/12/2011 Inspector Mauvene Burke

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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 children aged 19, 15 and five years in Wimbledon Park which is situated in the London borough of Merton, close to schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding, apart from the kitchen. The family has two pet cats. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder runs a childminding drop-in group which receives funding from the local authority and has a NVQ level 3 qualification in childcare.

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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 are happy and secure in this inclusive setting. They experience a stimulating range of activities which promotes their learning and development well. Good strategies are in place to enable her to meet children's individual needs. Most of the required documentation relating to the Early Years Foundation Stage framework is in place. Partnerships with parents and carers are developing satisfactorily. The childminder has started to evaluate her provision and has successfully identified areas for improvement. She is proactive in continuously developing her provision to improve the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the complaints procedures shared with parents are in line with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 03/01/2012

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further?

 ensure that the procedures to follow if an allegation is made against a family member form part of the safeguarding procedures. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 03/01/2012

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  Improve children's understanding of healthy practices, such as washing their hands before eating their snacks  develop the two-way flow of information with parents to include and promote a shared understanding of children's learning and development in each of the areas of learning.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded, because the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibility in protecting children in her care from harm. She has a good awareness of the potential signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child may be at risk and has systems in place for monitoring any concerns, should they arise. A safeguarding policy is in place which is shared with parents and carers, however, the procedures to be followed if an allegation is made against her or a member of her family is not included in her procedures. All adults in the household have been suitably vetted. Effective systems are in place to ensure children's safety, both indoors and when they are out. This is because the risk assessments are thorough and are reviewed as necessary. So for example, when the Christmas tree went up over the Christmas period, the childminder included this in her risk assessment, analysed what the likely risks to children might be in terms of the

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the early years provision

wires and lights, and took steps to minimise these. All the required documentation in relation to the Early Years Foundation framework is in place, but the childminder's complaints procedure is not currently in line with the requirements of the framework.

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the early years provision

Since being in this setting, children have made good progress, given their starting points. The childminder has a vast amount of resources and most are easily accessible to children, helping to promote their developing independence. There are some resources which depict people's similarities and differences, such as ethnicity and disability. The accommodation is spacious, allowing children enough space to move around freely, safely and confidently and it is certainly conducive to their learning and development. The childminder has gained a NVQ level 3 qualification in Early Years and would very much like to do a degree course in childhood studies in the future. She has also considered ways to develop the outdoor area, as this does not currently offer children a full extension of the indoor learning environment.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a generally positive relationship with parents and carers. There is a regular exchange of information relating to the care of the children, but systems for sharing information about how well children are achieving and progressing have yet to be developed. There are currently no children on roll who attend other settings, or need support from other agencies. However, the childminder is aware of the need to work in partnership with any other settings, if the need arises. The childminder works well with other childminders in her area and is the organiser of the local childminding drop-in group which receives support from the local authority. Strategies are in place to evaluate the provision. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder has already identified future developments for her setting.

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and outcomes for children

Although the children have been with the childminder for a relatively short time, they are extremely settled in this stimulating environment. They have formed trusting relationships with the childminder and her family and when seeking reassurance, receive it in the form of hugs and cuddles. Children are making good progress in their learning, which means that they are beginning to develop the skills they need for the future. The childminder plans weekly activities under each of the areas of learning, to ensure that there are no gaps in the children's learning. There is a suitable programme of observation in place that is linked to the areas of learning. Activities planned are regularly evaluated to see if the learning intentions were achieved. Children take part in activities and experiences that soundly meet their interests and stimulate them. Children benefit greatly from the childminder's enthusiasm and non-stop interaction and involvement with their activities. As a

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and outcomes for children

result, there is a very good balance of child-initiated and adult-led play.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely keen and eager to learn new things in this stimulating environment. They are very interested and involved in their play. They play with the felt stickers, making a snowman and all the while learning as they play; they find the snowman's head, his nose and his body. They are beginning to recognise the shapes of the different parts of the body and are being introduced to new ones like 'rectangle'. Older children show consideration and relate well to the younger children as they play with them and make sure that they are 'okay'. Children are learning about the world, as they discuss Australia where one of the children has gone on holiday. They quickly point out Australia on the map of the world and speak about getting books from the library about Australia so they can learn more about where their friend has gone. Babies in this setting happily explore their surroundings on their own. They enjoy pressing buttons on activity centres in

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and outcomes for children

order to make sounds and lights and seem amazed that they have made this happen, as they keep pressing the buttons in continued amazement. Older children are learning to count as they play. They count the snowflakes as they put them on the felt board and distinguish size using language such as 'big', 'little' and 'small'.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy an extremely wide range of snacks and home-cooked nutritious and well-balanced meals, such as fish in parsley sauce with broccoli and potatoes, which they thoroughly enjoy. Fresh drinking water is readily accessible to the children. They are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment, but they are not always encouraged to wash their hands before having their snacks. Children are learning about safety as they practise regular fire drills. Older children are aware of younger children's safety, as they tell the childminder that the baby cannot sit on the chair as she is 'too small and might fall off and hurt herself'. Children behave well in this setting and know what is expected of them. They respond well to praise and listen to the childminder if she asks them not to do something. Children celebrate a range of cultural festivals, such as Hanukkah, Christmas, Eid and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Diwali. 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 3 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

 provide a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to the complaints which relate to the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email (Procedures for dealing. with complaints) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 03/01/2012

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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 above. (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 03/01/2012

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