Childminder in Richmond upon Thames

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY316978 Inspection date 13/03/2012 Inspector Jane Nelson

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and three children, aged 10, seven, and three years, in a house in Twickenham, Middlesex, in the borough of Richmond upon Thames, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor and a bedroom on the first floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is access to an enclosed garden at the rear. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight, two of whom can be in the early years age range, at any one time. She is currently caring for one child in the early years age range and one school age child. The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight, two of whom can be in the early years age range, at any one time. She is currently caring for one child in the early years age range and one school age child. The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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 uses her secure knowledge of individual children's needs and interests as the focus for the daily routine and planning of activities. As a result, children thoroughly enjoy their time with her and are making good progress in their learning and development. In the main, the childminder uses self-evaluation effectively, to reflect on what is working well. Good use is made of resources, such as training, demonstrating the childminder's commitment to ongoing improvement. Relationships with parents are well established and result in information being shared well. Effective partnerships are built with other settings children attend.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children  develop systems for involving parents in contributing to the observation, assessment and planning. 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 understands her responsibilities relating to safeguarding and child protection issues. She is aware of the procedures to follow if concerns arise, or an allegation is made relating to her. The childminder has recently attended training relating to safeguarding to update her knowledge. The childminder uses risk assessments effectively to monitor safety in the home and on outings. She maintains the required records and reviews these regularly. Children are very well supervised, particularly when using the open plan stairs in the home.

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the early years provision

The childminder has made good progress since her last inspection, demonstrating a strong commitment to ongoing improvement. For example, she has completed a National Vocational Level 3 qualification in Home Based Childcare. She has also improved the space used for childminding in her home, creating a designated, well equipped playroom. The childminder uses self-evaluation effectively to monitor what is working well and generate improvement. However, this is not yet used comprehensively to identify all aspects for future development, and how these will be achieved. The childminder's home is welcoming and child orientated, with space well organised to enable children to play, eat and rest safely and comfortably. The required records and documentation are maintained and well organised. The childminder provides a good range of play materials, equipment and creative resources. These are attractively set out in the playroom, enabling children to

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the early years provision

make choices, suggestions and help themselves. Equality and diversity are reflected in the range of play materials, resources and displays children see and use daily, supporting their understanding of the wider world.

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the early years provision

Relationships with parents are well established. The length of time children have been in the childminder's care demonstrates parents' confidence in her care of their children. Parents' views are sought through questionnaires and their responses praise the childminder highly, stating that they could not ask for more and commenting how much their children enjoy being with her. Appropriate systems are in place to record and monitor children's development, and are used effectively by the childminder. However, these do not yet routinely involve parents in contributing to observations, assessment and planning. The childminder works well in partnership with other settings children attend. This results in children's needs being met and continuity in their learning. For example, the childminder obtains information from the nursery class about their planning. She uses this to initiate conversations and discussion, and sometimes to continue activities children

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and outcomes for children

Children share genuine and deep affection with the childminder and her children. This is evident in their relaxed relationship with her and the confidence they demonstrate in her home. As a result, children's individual needs are met and they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are supported in making good progress in all areas of their learning and development. Children are developing a range of skills they will use in the future, through the good range of well-planned activities the childminder provides.

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and outcomes for children

Children arrive home with the childminder after their morning at nursery, happy and ready for their lunch. Children show increasing independence in self care, as they follow the familiar routine of changing out of their uniform on arrival. They manage most of the process successfully themselves, only needing a little help from the childminder with the zips on their tunics. Children show awareness of their own health and hygiene. For example, they know they need to wash their hands, making sure they are clean before eating lunch, and they recognise when someone needs a tissue to wipe their nose. Children have daily opportunities for outdoor play and exercise during visits to parks and play in the childminder's garden. They recognise their own needs, for example, when they are thirsty or need a quiet time. Children make themselves comfortable on the sofa, with a drink of milk, for a short rest. Children demonstrate awareness of their own and each

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and outcomes for children

other's safety as they move around, and use equipment and utensils with care. They use the stairs confidently when going to the bathroom. Children carefully hold onto the banister, with the childminder close beside them and refer to needing to walk close to the wall to be safe. Children enjoy their healthy lunch of a sandwich and fruit, chatting to each other and the childminder as they eat. Their awareness of healthy food is encouraged through meaningful discussion. For example, children notice a poster of fruits and vegetables displayed near where they sit to eat lunch, and name some of the fruits and vegetables. The childminder names an avocado pear and reminds children they used to like eating these. Children repeat the word and the childminder shows them a real avocado that she has and explains that when the pear is cut in half, there is a stone inside.

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and outcomes for children

There is a good balance of adult- and child-initiated play during the afternoon routine. For example, the childminder reminds children they were going to make Mother's Day cards. Children ask if they can do painting again instead, and proudly show their creative work from the day before displayed on the wall. The childminder follows their suggestion, and responds when children make further suggestions about which container to put the paint in. Children thoroughly enjoy this activity. They use different size brushes and sponges confidently, using small physical skills to hold brushes carefully, and gently remove excess paint from the brush on the edge of the container. They use words such as 'big' to describe the large brush and use this to paint and mark make with paint. Children continually problem solve and use numbers in their conversation and play. They initiate counting songs, repeating some they have sung at nursery. Children use

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and outcomes for children

corresponding fingers to the number of ducks or monkeys in their song and count backwards from five to one.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well, as they are busy and interested in their play and are involved in decision making. They listen to the childminder and, for the most part, to each other. Children show affection and care for the childminder and each other and remind each other to share and take turns with favourite toys and equipment. They have great fun working together during the painting activity. Children chat continually as they work to cover the paper with paint and take pride in their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 finished creation. 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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