Childminder in Waltham Forest

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY310970 Inspection date 10/01/2012 Inspector Sharon Henry

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and teenage son in the Walthamstow area, in the London borough of Waltham Forest, close to shops, parks and schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four 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 one child in the early years age group. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 cared for in a warm and safe environment. The childminder recognises children's individual needs and supports each one well. She provides a good range of interesting and challenging learning opportunities for each child. This enables them to make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder keeps parents well informed about daily routines and activities. However, she has yet to involve the parents' contributions to their children's learning and assessment records. The childminder is proactive in driving improvement; she continually evaluates her practice and maximises opportunities to improve outcomes for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop opportunities for parents to share what they know about their child, to be informed about their next steps for development and how they can support this in the home.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good procedures in place to safeguard children and ensure they are cared for in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Safeguarding procedures are fully understood and implemented effectively to ensure that any concerns relating to children's welfare and safety are carefully managed and efficiently dealt with. The childminder fully understands her role in reporting concerns and liaising with appropriate child care agencies to ensure children's welfare and safety. Safeguarding training has been completed and suitability checks have been completed on household members. This provides reassurance to parents that they are suitable to have contact with children and therefore, promote This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their safety. Risk assessments and daily visual checks are carried out to ensure the premises, environment and any outings children are taken on are safe and

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the early years provision

suitable. The standards of hygiene used by the childminder effectively minimises the risk of cross-infection and good hygiene practices enable children to learn to manage their own personal hygiene. Appropriate measures are used when administering medication and managing accidents; the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. All documents required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are in place and written policies keep parents informed of procedures used.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed written policies to support her work practices and provide information to parents. Systems such as 'backward and forward forms' are in place to provide parents with a daily update on what their children have enjoyed as well as daily care practices, such as sleeping and eating routines. Parents are pleased with the service they receive evidenced through letters and cards held by the childminder. She is aware of the value of working with other early years settings to support continuity and progression for children who, for example, also attend nurseries, or are transferring to school.

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the early years provision

Children have access to a good range of resources which are all in good condition and easily accessible for them to make their own choice of what they want to play with. Therefore, they have favourite toys and confidently explore these. The childminder provides a service that is inclusive for all children and their families and promotes equality and diversity successfully. Children have a good selection of toys and resources that cover some areas of diversity. For example, books and dolls. However, the resources to promote disability are limited. Children also learn about the wider world through the celebration of different festivals. The childminder has a fully inclusive policy to support the procedures that are developed with the children and this is shared with parents.

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the early years provision

Self-evaluation and reflective practice is used effectively by the childminder, resulting in clear priorities for future development and a good commitment to continual improvement. She has completed a Diploma in Home Based Childcare since her last inspection and has identified further training which she intends to initiate, when time allows in the future.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding and knowledge of how children learn. The childminder observes children at play. She is developing a record of children's progress so the information gained from her observations of children can be used to identify the next steps in each child's learning. However, parents have limited opportunities to contribute to these records in order to share what they know about children's progress towards the early learning goals. Children are happy and confident. They interact well with the childminder. They have a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. They have regular outings to learn about the local community and the wider world, and opportunities to socialise with other This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children. She skilfully interacts with them as they play and provides good support to give them the confidence to take part in activities. For example, the childminder

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and outcomes for children

sits with the children and supports them whilst doing puzzles and uses this opportunity to point out different shapes and colours, to which younger children respond with smiles and laughter as they hold up the different shapes. These simple activities lay firm foundations for children's future learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children respond to the sounds made and the movement of the toys. Books and stories are readily accessible and the children enjoy sitting with the childminder listening to stories. The childminder talks to children using questions and explanations to help children develop their language and communication skills. The childminder encourages children to take an interest in numbers as she counts the activity set beads. Children are developing skills for the future as they make choices as they independently choose resources. They are supported in learning good habits, such as saying 'please' and 'thank-you', and the childminder's regular praise and encouragement helps to boost children's confidence and self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder helps children to gain an awareness of how to keep safe, both in the home and on outings. She gently reminds them of the dangers so they can feel safe. Information is gathered about children's dietary requirements to ensure their health needs are met; parents complete an information sheet prior to children attending. The childminder provides a range of healthy meals and snacks this helps children to develop a healthy attitude towards food. She works in partnership with parents who provide food for their own children. The childminder has a very clear policy about how she deals with behaviour issues. She makes sure that incidents are handled appropriately according to the children's ages and stage of development. 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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