Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY301008 Inspection date 31/01/2012 Inspector Lisa-Marie Jones

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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 2005. She lives with her partner and three children, aged four, nine years and 14 years, in a two bedroom flat in the London borough of Southwark. The whole of the premises is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The property is close to local schools, parks and transport services.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for three children under eight years at any one time, two of whom can be in the early years age group. There is currently one child on roll in the early years age group. The family has a pet hamster.

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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

The childminder promotes all aspects of children's care and development well. She provides an inclusive and welcoming, homely environment where she works closely with parents and carers to ensure she is familiar with children's needs. Relevant paperwork is in place including children's assessment and observations, however this is still in early stages of development. Self-evaluation is detailed and the childminder has highlighted that she values training as a way forward to improve outcomes for children. She has addressed all recommendations from the last inspection and demonstrates a good capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve children's assessments to track their progress in all six areas of learning.

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the early years provision

Arrangements for safeguarding children are effective because the childminder has good procedures in place, should any concerns arise. The childminder has attended training to further secure her knowledge of safeguarding issues and has all the required information to follow should she be concerned about a child in her care. The childminder carries out thorough risk assessments which help to ensure children are kept safe in the home and when on outings. Children are taught about keeping themselves safe both in the home and when out. Activities and arrangements promote inclusivity as well as independence. Children enjoy a good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 range of practical learning opportunities, for example, they explore cultural differences when celebrating festivals that are meaningful to them and by visiting local places of interest. This promotes positive attitudes towards diversity and the

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the early years provision

Children have access to a range of well maintained good quality toys and activities which they can choose freely. Outings to local groups and outdoor spaces provide them with additional opportunities to be physically active, creative and socialise with others. Parents and carers are welcomed, relationships with the childminder are positive and parents have input into their children's learning and development. There are good lines of communication with parents who are unable to have daily contact with the childminder. For example, she provides daily diaries, text messages and photographs of what their children are doing. The childminder also sends home the children's profiles at the end of each term. The childminder is aware of the need to build effective partnerships with other providers where children attend more than one setting, although this does not apply to any of the children who are currently on roll. Parents make comments on questionnaires and

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the early years provision

state that they are very happy with communication, food provided and the over all development that their child has made and continues to make. Parents express that they feel that they are very lucky to have found the childminder.

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the early years provision

The childminder has started to evaluate her practice and is therefore becoming more confident in recognising her strengths and areas for development. She has access to good resources to enable her to keep up to date with new developments regarding childminding and she ensures she responds to any changes in legislation. Since the last inspection she has made improvements to her knowledge and delivery of first aid and safeguarding. The childminder has completed a qualification in Childcare and Education at level 2 and has a firm belief that training is the way forward to improve her practice. Therefore the childminder demonstrates a good capacity to improve the outcomes for children in her care.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and appear to be relaxed in the childminders home. The activities are balanced and meet the needs and interests of the children and promote their independence. The childminder plans play activities with the interests of children in mind. Observation and assessment takes into account children's starting points and are used to help plan children's next steps for development. However, assessments do not fully track children's progress in all areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children have the freedom to explore their environment independently. They have a close bond with the childminder and are settled and comfortable in the homely environment. Children readily sit on the childminder's lap to share books and will ask for her help to take part in activities. The childminder is skilled in stepping in to assist in activities and is on close hand to enable children to get the best out of activities with a very calm and bubbly approach. She is good at promoting This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 language skills and ensures that parents work together with her to enable children to express themselves as much as possible. Children become animated and excited when looking at the hamster. The childminder uses this well to promote and extend language and talks with them about how to care for others. Children readily take part in painting activities, they know where everything is and independently

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and outcomes for children

go off to wash their hands afterwards. The childminder also recognises the value of praising children to boost their self esteem and does so when appropriate. She is consistent with her boundaries and works with parents so ensure consistency in managing behaviour.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning about healthy eating and making healthy choices and enjoy the fruits that are on offer at snack times. Children feel safe in the setting, because the childminder establishes very close relationships with them. This enables the children to enjoy their time in the setting and achieve and develop appropriate skills for their future learning. 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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