Childminder in Lewisham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY355266 Inspection date 01/03/2012 Inspector Rebecca Hurst

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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 2007. She lives with her partner and one adult child and another child who is at university in Catford, within the London borough of Lewisham. She is a joint childminder with her partner.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder may care for no more than five children under eight years; of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group, and of these, not more than one may be under one year at any one time. When working with another childminder, they may care for a total of no more than nine children under eight years; of these, not more than six may be in the early years age group, and of these, not more than two may be under one year at any one time. There are currently six children on roll and of these four are in early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. She attends the local parent and toddler group. She takes children to the local library. She takes children to the local park.

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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 are happy and settled because the childminder creates a stimulating, safe and secure environment. Children are highly valued and supported to make the most of their abilities, making good progress. Partnerships with others are generally in place. The childminder evaluates her provision well. She seeks to improve the learning opportunities provided, working towards the best possible outcomes for children. As a result, the childminder has a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend partnerships with others involved in children's individual care further, taking a lead role in establishing effective working relationships to successfully promote children's learning, development and welfare. 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 good understanding of child protection and how to safeguard the children whilst in her care. Good risk assessments are in place for both the home and for outings, which enables the childminder to keep the children safe from harm. Regular fire drills are carried out and evaluated to show how they went and what improvements will be made to enable the children to be aware of what to do in an event of an emergency. Good use of stair gates helps to make sure children are not able to access areas unless an adult is present.

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the early years provision

Children have access to an excellent range of resources which enables them to progress well with their learning and development. Both childminders use the space well and make sure they are spread out to supervise the children very well with their play. All resources are used highly effectively to enable the children to progress with their learning and development. The childminder works well with her co-minder and the parents to teach the children about different festivals and celebrations from around the world. The childminder consults the parents to make sure they are happy with the activities the children are participating in and they are able to learn from them.

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the early years provision

Partnership with parents is a key strength. The childminders attend training sessions so they can work with the parents to aid them with their care of the children. For example recent training has included breast feeding advice. This allows excellent partnership working. The parents are also a key part in the childminders self-evaluation process, sharing their views on the services that are provided. Daily diaries are in place so the childminder can share how the children have been and what they have been doing. Detailed portfolios are also given to the parents detailing the children's learning and development and photos of their time at the childminder's. Partnerships with others that care for the children are generally in place. The self-evaluation process includes the children's views and the parents'. They are used to shape the activities and service that is provided by both the childminder and her co-minder.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a good sense of belonging and they are very settled and happy in the childminder's care. Children's self esteem and confidence levels are greatly nurtured and boosted by the strong relationships they have built with the childminder. They like to snuggle up with the childminder and gain reassurance from her. The childminder works closely with the children on their behaviour and the good deployment of both her and her co-minder enables the children to play very well together. Given the children's ages and stages of development they are very well behaved.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is skilled in asking the children open-ended questions to make This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them think about what they are doing, this helps them to progress well in their learning. Children are making good progress with their speech and they show that they are becoming inquisitive learners, showing curiosity in all that is going on in the setting. The childminder works well with parents when they have concerns over their child's speech and supports the children with this.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy learning about insects. They explore the feel and texture of snail shells and look to see what they are eating and how they move. The childminder talks to the children throughout explaining what is happening. This allows the children to enhance their language skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans well. She uses the children's written observations and their interests to plan activities to enhance their learning and development. Written observations have the next steps of learning recorded and the childminder records tracking of their progress so both can show what areas she needs to work on. From the observations that are in place the children are making good progress from when they first started in the care of the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is greatly nurtured by the childminder. The children work with the childminder on her allotment to grow all kinds of different fruits and vegetables. The younger children sow seeds at the home to grow and take care of. The fruits and vegetables are then used by the children and the childminder in their meals. Children show an excellent awareness of how to care for the produce and where it comes from. Younger children are fully aware of the need to wash their hands before any meal or snack. The children thrive in the care of the childminder as they have freshly cooked, healthy and nutritious meals prepared for them. The childminders work closely with the parents to provide meals which meet their dietary requirements. The children enjoy making meals such as pizza, cakes and their fruit. This enhances their independence skills. 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 1 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 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 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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