Childminder in Camden

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 160297 Inspection date 22/02/2012 Inspector Helen Steven

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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 has been registered since August 2001. She lives with her two adult children and 14-year-old child. Their three bedroom house is in Kentish Town, in the London Borough of Camden. The home is arranged over three floors. The ground floor is the main area of the home used for minding. There is a secure patio area used for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children at any one time and is currently minding one child in the early year's 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy an adequate range of play experiences that support their learning and development. However, the systems for observation, monitoring and planning are not robust. The childminder has a basic understanding of the importance of continually reviewing and improving her practice, but has not yet identified key areas for future development. She has addressed the recommendations from the last inspection and so demonstrates a suitable capacity to sustain ongoing improvements. Positive relationships with parents and a suitable commitment to working in partnership with other professionals provide consistent care for the children. Children have some opportunities to begin to understand about adopting healthy lifestyles although hand washing routines are not consistent. The childminder does not have a first aid box with appropriate content in place which is a breach of a specific legal requirement.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 update and maintain the first aid box to ensure it contains appropriate content to meet the needs of children in the event of an accident (Safeguarding and promoting welfare) 14/03/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 develop procedures for self-evaluation in order to identify priorities for development to improve outcomes for children  develop children's understanding of healthy lifestyle by encouraging them to handwash prior to handling food  develop further the observations and assessments to more accurately This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 monitor children's progress towards the early learning goals and to identify and plan for each child's individual next steps for learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a basic knowledge of safeguarding issues. She is less secure in how to refer any concerns; however, she has guidance available and links with support workers to support her in this process. The childminder has carried a risk assessment for her home and this has helped to create a safe environment for the children to play. The childminder assesses risks to children when she takes them on outings and has just begun to keep records of these to further promote children's safety.

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the early years provision

There are basic systems in place for planning and observations. Children's starting points and their next steps are not routinely identified. As a result the system is not successfully demonstrating robust monitoring of children's progress towards the Early Learning Goals. Nevertheless, through discussion the childminder demonstrates that she is offering a suitable range of learning opportunities to support children's satisfactory progress across all areas of learning. As a result children are developing appropriate skills for the future. The childminder demonstrates that she is aware of the children's individual needs and knows about their backgrounds. She has a basic range of resources, some of which reflect the diversity of the community. The childminder makes use of activities at local drop-in groups to encourage children to develop respect for families with different beliefs and backgrounds to their own. The childminder has not developed the learning

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the early years provision

environment effectively to fully enhance and extend children's learning. The children are cared for primarily in the hallway and kitchen/ diner and a basic range of toys are placed around the room on the floor. Other resources are stored at low level for children to use when they request them.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a suitable range of written policies and procedures to keep parents informed of her practices. All required records are in place to promote children's health and welfare. The childminder reports she welcomes visits from the local authority development worker to look at the strengths and weaknesses of her service. Although this helps her to reflect on her childminding she is less proactive herself in targeting areas to improve. She has attended some training sessions since the last inspection and she has plans to attend further courses in order for her to make continuous improvements to her practice. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate to enable her to treat the children appropriately in the event of an accident. However, her first aid box contains items that are not appropriate to meet the needs of children. As a result, treatment may be impaired in an emergency. This is a breach of a specific legal requirement. The childminder

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the early years provision

reports she has positive relationships with parents and she keeps them verbally informed about their children's well-being and development. The childminder has a positive attitude to working alongside other agencies as and when the need arises. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy in the care of the childminder. They move around the ground floor of her home with confidence and are keen to engage in play. Children are becoming aware of behavioural expectations in the setting and respond to the childminder's instructions. They say 'please' and 'thank you' without prompts. Children enjoy a basic range of activities in the home. In addition, the childminder uses outside provisions such as the local city farm and drop-in groups to enhance children's experiences across all areas of learning. Activities offered overall are based on children's interests However; the learning environment in the home offers a basic range of activities and is not well planned. Children are encouraged to help tidy up to give them a sense of responsibility. Children sit with the childminder on the floor to look at books. Children answer questions and follow simple commands demonstrating that they are developing appropriate

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and outcomes for children

communication and language skills. Children are encouraged to count during play; they are introduced to numbers on display in the home and use some mathematical language in play. Children gain knowledge and understanding of nature when they visit a local city farm to look at the animals. Outings to local drop in groups enhance children's physical development and enable them to develop an awareness of their diverse local community. Children enjoy the effects of pressing the buttons on the electronic keyboard changing the sounds of the keys. They explore rhythms with homemade shakers.

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and outcomes for children

Overall, children are developing a basic understanding of healthy lifestyles, for example, they enjoy nutritious foods each day, are encouraged to drink water and have access to fresh air and exercise regularly. However, children are not encouraged to develop good personal hygiene practices as, contrary to the childminder's policy, they are not encouraged to wash their hands prior to eating food. Children are involved in recycling household waste, which develops their understanding of sustainability. 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 3 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 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 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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