Childminder in Lewisham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY363333 Inspection date 05/03/2012 Inspector Chris Hodge

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and 10 years, in a three bedroom house in Lee, in the London Borough of Lewisham. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. Children also have access to the bathroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder works with an assistant on a part- time basis. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years; of these, three may be in the early years age group when working on her own. When working with an assistant the childminder may care for seven children under eight years, six of whom may be in the early years age group at any one time. There are currently five children in the early years age group on roll on a part time basis. The childminder is an accredited

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Description of the childminding

net work childminder and a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make significant overall progress towards the early learning goals in this highly stimulating and welcoming home environment. The childminder uses her excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and of the children in her care to plan to a wide range of activities that cover the six areas of learning. Strong partnerships with parents ensure that children''s individual needs are consistently met. Children's safety and well-being are significantly enhanced by the robust and highly consistent implementation of risk assessments and procedural documentation The childminder is fully committed to providing children with high quality care. She is able to maintain continuous improvement through extensive monitoring of her provision, rigorous self-evaluation and by attending on-going training.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing the use of picture and written labelling to further increase children''s awareness that text carries meaning.

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the early years provision

The childminder gives the highest priority to safeguarding children. She is exceptionally well informed about child protection issues and is fully aware of her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 role and responsibility to safeguard children in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Her comprehensive safeguarding policy is shared with parents. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate and all adults living on the premises have been appropriately vetted. Rigorous and robust risk assessments for the home and outings, together with regularly practiced emergency evacuation procedures help to keep children safe. All required documentation is in place and is professionally maintained

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the early years provision

The childminder makes excellent use of the available space within her home. Furniture, equipment and resources are of high quality and suitable for the ages of children, to support their learning and development. An extensive range of good quality play resources are very accessible to children. This encourages them to self-select what they want to play with and to be independent and active learners. The childminder promotes inclusion throughout her practice and welcomes all children and families into her home. She recognises the uniqueness of each child and has an exceptional knowledge of each child''s backgrounds and needs. All children are valued and engage in a wide range of activities and experiences, which helps them to value diversity. The childminder develops very strong partnerships with parents to ensure that children are provided with consistency and continuity in their care and learning. For example, a parent told her about

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the early years provision

''Sing and Sign'' classes and lent her a ''Sing and Sign'' DVD after the childminder mentioned she was interested in it. The childminder and children now use some of the sign language in their daily routines. She provides parents with detailed information about her practice and keeps them extremely well informed about their children''s day and progress. Parent''s comments on children''s reviews are extremely positive. The childminder is not currently caring for any children who attend other early years settings. However, she has identified working alongside other early years professionals to provide continuity in children''s learning as a priority for development in the future.

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the early years provision

The childminder is totally dedicated to providing a high quality service and maintaining very good outcomes for children. She achieves this through strong on- going self-evaluation, regular discussions with her assistant and parents and a commitment to training. She also shares good practice with other childminders at groups and network meetings. Since her previous inspection the childminder has completed a level 3 National Vocation Qualification in Childcare and has attended several other shorter courses with the local authority. She has also successfully implemented the previous recommendations. Areas for future development she has identified include attending training on using signs and symbols and gaining an understanding of the changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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and outcomes for children

Children make rapid strides in their learning and development, in relation to their starting points, because the childminder completes high quality observations and plans activities with care. An individual record folder is maintained for each child. The information held shows children''s abilities, next steps and includes detailed This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 reports on how they are progressing within the six areas of learning. Daily routines include a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities and include both indoor and outdoor play, covering the six areas of learning. , The high-quality adult interaction and exemplary organisation of routines help all children to gain an exceptionally strong sense of security and belonging. Children enthusiastically engage in the wide range of activities on offer and show high levels of independence, curiosity, imagination and concentration. They eagerly

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and outcomes for children

make choices about what they want to play with, in the secure knowledge that the childminder and her assistant are on hand to join in and to provide support when required. The childminder and her assistant constantly talk to children and take time to listen and encourage their responses. This is helping children to develop increasingly good communication skills as they become confident in expressing themselves and asking questions. Children have access to very good quality books and thoroughly enjoy listening to their favourite stories. However, opportunities are missed to further increase children''s awareness that text carries meaning as limited use is made of labelling. Children have excellent opportunities for mark making and to be creative using a wide range of art and craft resources. They have great fun singing familiar songs, playing musical instruments and developing their imaginations with puppets, role play and small world resources. Children have

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and outcomes for children

access to an extensive range of puzzles, construction resources and cause-and- effect toys for problem solving and exploration. They learn to count and to recognise colours, numbers, letters and shapes throughout their play. Children socialise with other children at various groups and enjoy regular outings in the community. The childminder meets up with other childminders and organises outings to farms and other places of interests to help children gain an understanding of the wider world. Children also enjoy visits to her uncle''s allotment, helping them to learn about how vegetables and plants grow.

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and outcomes for children

High standards of cleanliness and hygiene, together with effectively implemented policies and procedures ensure that children''s health and welfare is fully promoted. Outdoor shoes are removed so that carpeted areas are hygienically clean for floor play. The childminder''s sick child policy ensures that parents are fully aware of exclusion periods for unwell children, which helps her to reduce the risk of cross-infection. Children understand the importance of washing their hands after going to the toilet and before meal times. Thorough hygiene procedures for nappy changing help to prevent cross contamination. Children understand the importance of health eating. They are provided with healthy home-cooked meals and fresh fruit snacks, with water to drink throughout the day. Children enjoy eating vegetables they have watched grow on the allotment. Meal times play an important part in children''s learning and encourage their independent and social

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and outcomes for children

skills. Parents are kept well informed about menus and what children have eaten during the day. Children are provided with lots of fresh air and exercise through walking to and from school, and going to the park and groups. The childminder uses this time to teach children about road safety and stranger danger. Children also relish playing outside in the well equipped garden where they show that they are developing a very good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Provision is made for children to rest during the day if required. The childminder encourages positive behaviour by setting clear and consistent boundaries and constantly praising children''s achievements. As a result children are happy, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 confident and form strong attachments with the childminder and her assistant, as they develop a wide range of skills to support them in their future learning.

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and outcomes for children

. 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 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 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 1

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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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