Childminder in Lambeth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY425404 Inspection date 25/01/2012 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 registered in 2011. She lives with her adult daughter, who is also her assistant, in the London borough of Lambeth, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The childminder's home is on the fourth floor in a block of purpose built flats with lift access. The whole of the home is used for childminding, with the exception of the kitchen. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, no more than one may be under one year. When she works with her assistant, she may care for a maximum of four children under eight of which no more than three may be in the early years age range, and of these no more than two may be under one year. She is currently minding one child in this age group. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's welfare is suitably promoted. They are making sound progress in their learning and development in relation to their starting points. However, systems to track children's learning are in their infancy. Children's individual needs are met although there are limited resources that promote diversity. Parents are kept informed about their children's daily routines, but not of the progress in their learning. Although systems to evaluate practice are in the very early stages of development, the childminder demonstrates a capacity for making continuous future improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 match the observations to the areas of learning to inform planning for the next steps of children's development and share this information with parents improve the range of resources to include positive images that challenge children's thinking and help them to embrace differences and a caring attitude towards others.  use quality improvement processes such as the Ofsted self-evaluation form to review and identify priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded from harm because the childminder is aware of her responsibility to refer any concerns she may have about a child in her care. She has all the required information to be able to take the appropriate action if necessary. Daily visual risk assessments of the home identify and minimise hazards to children whilst they are on the premises. Relevant documentation relating to the provision is in place and policies and procedures are shared with parents at the start of the placement.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is well maintained, clean and secure and offers children sufficient space in which they can move around freely. Resources are suitable and help to promote children's learning. Most of the resources are at children's level, making it easy for them to make their own choices. This encourages children's growing independence. Children learn about the lives of other people who are different from them when they attend the local children's groups and through trips to the local market. However, resources in the childminder's home depicting positive images of diversity are limited, especially relating to disability.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a generally positive relationship with parents and carers. They work together to ensure that the individual needs of the children are met. The childminder ensures that parents and carers are up-to-date through a consistent exchange of information at the start and the end of the day. However, this does not include the progress that their children make in their learning. Parents say they are very happy with the care that the childminder provides for their children and acknowledge the progress they have made since starting with her. There are currently no children attending who also attend other early years provision. However, the childminder is aware of the need to share information to promote consistency. The childminder has not yet started a rigorous process in which to reflect on or evaluate her provision. However, she demonstrates a willingness and enthusiasm to make improvements for the future, which will benefit children. For

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the early years provision

example, she plans to contact the early year's team in her local authority to ask for additional support.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well settled in this environment and have forged positive relationships with the childminder and with their peers in the local group settings. This helps children to feel safe and secure and helps to foster their social development. The childminder allows children to initiate their own play following their interests and supports this through the good interaction that she has with the children. She does this through her skilled questioning techniques, which help children to think and allow them to consolidate their learning as they play. As a result, children are making steady progress in their learning and development. However, observations are not linked to all areas of learning to enable the childminder to track children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 progress or plan consistently for their next steps.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing well in all areas of their learning. They practice their early writing skills as the childminder provides daily opportunities for making marks and drawing. They speak clearly and confidently and are able to hold lengthy conversations with the childminder, expressing their thoughts and feelings. They understand that print carries meaning as they look through the telephone directory for a number to give to the childminder to call a 'painter'. They use numbers confidently as they play. For example, they call out the number of the 'painter' for the childminder to call. They count confidently up to 12 and are beginning to subtract through counting rhymes such as 'Five Little Ducks'. Children have access to information technology as they have first-hand experiences through using cameras and mobile phones. Children use a range of small tools such as pastry cutters, scissors and rolling pins with increasing control. They have daily

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and outcomes for children

opportunities to enjoy fresh air as they go out every day. Children develop their physical skills through using climbing frames and other apparatus both at the park and at the children's group that they attend.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing an understanding of the need to adopt healthy lifestyles. As they play, they remind the childminder that she must wash her hands before she eats her food. They understand that carrots are good for them and through pictures, are able to distinguish between what are healthy foods and what are 'bad' foods. Children wash their hands without any prompts from the childminder. Children are confident, take part enthusiastically in activities and are keen learners. They tidy away their toys when they have finished playing with them and demonstrate an understanding of known boundaries within the setting. They respond positively to guidance from the childminder. Children's demonstrate their understanding of safety through their play as they safely use a range of tools. They tell the childminder to 'be careful' as she uses the play knife and know that if they stand on the chair, they might fall. When playing with their dolls, they make

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and outcomes for children

sure that they are safely strapped in. 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 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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