Childminder in Lewisham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY275497 Inspection date 21/02/2012 Inspector Claire Douglas

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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 2004. She lives with her husband in a residential area of Forest Hill. The whole of the property is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The setting is accessed via three steps up to the front door. The family has one pet dog and fish in an aquarium in the home.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. The childminder has formed links with other early years settings, such as a local nursery attached to the local infant school and pre- schools, along with childminders. The setting receives support from the local authority through an early years development worker.

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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 successfully promotes most aspects of children's welfare and development. Children are safe and well cared for in her warm, inclusive home and are welcomed as part of the family. Good relationships with parents ensure that the childminder knows children well and provides the care and support they need. The childminder has begun to reflect on the service she provides, ensuring, in the main, that priorities for development are identified and acted on, resulting in a provision that is responsive to the needs of the children she cares for and their families.

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further?

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

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further?

 strengthen the use of reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will continuously improve the quality of the 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

The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities towards the children in her care, and effectively safeguards their welfare. She knows what steps to take if she has concerns about a child, and has completed child protection training. She keeps required records that promote children's health, safety and well-being. Effective risk assessments ensure that children are safe in the home and when out and about. Children are provided with access to a good variety of age appropriate resources and play materials that support their play and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents. She has a thorough understanding of each child's backgrounds and needs, ensuring that equality and diversity is successfully promoted. Parents are warmly welcomed into the home and kept well informed through daily discussions, written feedback and photographs of their child's progress. Parents' comments show they are very happy with the service provided; for example, they state how she is 'compassionate' and 'caring'. In addition, they praise her competence and describe her as 'hard working' and 'professional'.

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the early years provision

The childminder builds effective partnerships with other professionals where appropriate. For instance, she attends other settings, such as a nursery attached to a local infant school, toddler groups and liaises weekly with other childminders, in addition to working with the local authority's Early Years department. She values local training opportunities and endeavours to attend relevant courses to assist in developing her knowledge and skills. The childminder has begun to evaluate her service; however, this is not yet used as a resource to identify strengths and priorities for development that will continuously improve the quality of the provision for all children. Previous actions taken to develop the service have lead to improved outcomes for children; for instance, the childminder has introduced the children to new activity groups within the area, and this provides them with further opportunities to develop their self confidence, personal, social and emotional skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children show a strong sense of belonging and security at the setting. They are familiar with the daily routine and expectations and are starting to demonstrate a clear understanding of how to keep themselves safe. They discuss daily why they need to walk along on the inside of the pavement sensibly when out and about, and they know that they need to pick the toys up off the floor so that they do not trip on them. Children take part in routine fire practices that ensure they know what to do in an emergency.

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and outcomes for children

Children adopt good simple hygiene routines when they wash their hands before their snack or after a messy activity, using the liquid soap and their individual clean towels that help protect them from the risk of cross-infection. They make healthy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 choices as they are offered nutritional snacks, such as a range of fruits daily, along with their nutritional lunch and tea. Children enjoy physical exercise outside every day as part of a healthy lifestyle. Either from a walk to visit the local park to practise physical skills, such as 'kicking the ball right up to the sky' or dressing up in rain proof boots and coats to go and 'jump in the puddles' when it is wet.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop warm relationships with the childminder. She is dedicated to ensuring they are well occupied and enjoying their time, whilst encouraging learning and sharing through the games she plays with them. Their behaviour is good and they show an awareness of responsibility within the setting. They show increasing levels of independence as they select their own resources and play materials and enjoy suitable praise as they put them away before choosing something else. The childminder ensures that children are given the time and support they need to master skills for the future, such as practising dressing skills and learning how to feed themselves with a knife and fork.

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and outcomes for children

Children take part in a variety of activities and experiences both in the home and through planned visits to places of interest such as other childminders' homes to share art activities and groups, such as the local ball pool centre which they love. Their development is supported across the areas of learning, and they are interested and motivated to learn. The childminder makes regular observations of their achievements and identifies the next steps for their learning in conjunction with the children's parents, linking individual targets for children to the activity planning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are keen to communicate and are beginning to use language well to start conversations and express their ideas. They listen attentively and enjoy books on their own and together with the childminder. Children use their problem solving skills to work out how they will get the square puzzle piece into the inset. They explore the natural world through planting a selection of beans and tomatoes in the garden. Sharing the caring for the vegetables and watching them grow before cooking them for lunch. The childminder makes the most of diversity to help children understand the world they live in, as open discussions about what they can see are continuous when they are out in the community. The childminder helps them to learn to value different cultures and beliefs when they take time to share library books and learn about various festivals. Children are beginning to use their imaginations as they play and particularly enjoy the play food and pop up

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and outcomes for children

tent. They enjoy adult-led craft activities, such as making cards to give to their families. They use pencils, glitter glues, crayons and paints freely to design according to their own ideas. Children benefit from a well-balanced daily routine; they are occupied and stimulated throughout the day. They thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. 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 2 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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