Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY153001 Inspection date 20/01/2012 Inspector Liz Caluori

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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 2001 and lives in Rotherhithe, in the London Borough of Southwark. Childminding generally takes place on the ground floor and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of three children under eight years, all of whom may be in the early years age group. There are currently three children in the early years age range on roll.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of Southwark Children Come First Network.

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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 play very happily in the child-centred, safe and caring environment. They make good progress in their learning and development as a result of the good consideration given to identifying and addressing their individual needs. Ongoing reflection, together with a strong commitment to training and improvement, results in a service which is sensitively organised and generally very efficient. Children benefit from the positive relationships in place with their parents and carers although similarly effective arrangements are yet to be put in place to work with other early years providers.

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further?

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

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further?

 put in place procedures to share information with other early years professionals  further extend the arrangements to monitor children's progress in order to more easily identify the rate at which they are progressing and any gaps in their achievement.

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the early years provision

Children are protected by vigorous safety precautions and these are clearly outlined to parents and carers in a comprehensive range of written policies. The childminder fully understands her responsibilities in relation to child protection and regularly updates her training in this area. She is confident in her ability to determine the potential signs and symptoms that a child may be at risk and has the contact details to make a referral if necessary. Highly competent arrangements This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are in place to undertake risk assessments of the premises, activities and all outings. These are regularly reviewed to ensure that they continue to reflect the changing needs of individual children.

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the early years provision

The childminder regularly attends training in order to ensure that her knowledge of childcare and childminding is constantly updated. In addition, the views of parents and carers are sought through questionnaires. Their responses help the childminder to identify any areas of her practice which could be improved to better meet the needs of the children attending. Children benefit from the very positive relationships in place with their parents and carers. This helps them to settle easily and supports that information is shared effectively. There are currently no children present who also attend other early years settings but the childminder has not yet considered how to work with another setting should the need arise. She does, however, have a very good knowledge of the relevant services and agencies that operate in her area in order to seek additional support for children in her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder undertakes sensitive observations of the children as they play and uses these very effectively to plan activities and experiences which reflect their interests. Whilst she has very good knowledge of the needs and preferences of each child, her systems are still evolving. They have yet to be extended to clearly indicate the rate at which children are progressing. This does not support her to easily identify any gaps in the achievements of individual children, or across the group.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively manages her time to accommodate the individual routines of each child. They are provided with an extremely good range of toys and resources which are well maintained, attractively presented and easily accessible for them to select independently. These include a good mix of modern, brightly coloured toys and more natural resources. Toys, books and puzzles reflect positive images of diversity and children take part in activities which help them to learn about the lives and customs of others.

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and outcomes for children

The children are happy, settled and engaged in the childminder's home. They are progressing well in all areas of development as a result of the good support and encouragement offered by the childminder. Children demonstrate very high levels of concentration in their chosen games, for example spending a long period of time exploring materials such as dried pulses and pasta shapes. Whilst engrossed in scooping and pouring, investigating the colours, shapes and sizes of the different items they are developing their problem solving, reasoning and numeracy skills. Children's communication, language and literacy development is also very good. Babies benefit from being included in discussions by the effective use of facial expressions, smiles and good eye contact. Children who are developing spoken language, speak confidently and with expression. They very enthusiastically listen to the childminder read their favourite books. They also sit on their own

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and outcomes for children

turning the pages and retelling stories in their own words using good story-telling This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 language and a lot of different intonation. Children thoroughly enjoy singing and have a large repertoire of songs committed to memory. They even make up their own songs to amuse the childminder. Creative play is very popular and children make very good use of the role play resources to act out different scenarios, for example nursing a range of injured teddies and dolls back to good health.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well supported to learn about the importance of following healthy lifestyles. They engage in regular physical activities, play in a hygienic environment and routinely wash their hands before eating and after going to the toilet. The childminder has a clear healthy eating policy which is shared with parents and carers. She reinforces children's understanding of the importance of good nutrition through discussions and activities to consider which foods are the healthiest and which should be considered as treats. Drinks are set out for children at all times.

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and outcomes for children

The relaxed, caring atmosphere encourages children to have good-self esteem as they receive a lot of very positive attention. This also supports them to be friendly and sensitive to the needs of others, for example a child wanting to interact with a baby knows to be gentle and so strokes his cheeks, telling the childminder 'the baby loves me'. Their very good social skills, along with their high levels of achievement, help to effectively prepare the children for the challenges of the future. 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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