Childminder in Lewisham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY360118 Inspection date 16/03/2012 Inspector Lisa-marie Jones

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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 to care for children since 2007. She lives with her partner and two children, aged five and 11 years. The premises are a two bedroom, fourth floor flat in Forest Hill, in the London Borough of Lewisham. Access to the premises is by using a communal lift or stairs. Children use the lounge and hallway as their main play space. There is no garden but children use the communal grounds and local parks and play areas for outdoor play. The family has pet hamsters

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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 six children under eight years, three of whom can be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for two children in the early years age group and four older children. The childminder is intending to employ her partner as her assistant. She has a National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in childcare and education.

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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 are very happy, settled and thriving and their needs are outstandingly met. This is because the childminder has a superb understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework (EYFS). Her secure understanding of regulatory matters, including safeguarding, means that children's safety and well-being are also adhered to at all times; their safety is prioritised inside and outside of the home. The childminder makes highly effective use of self-evaluation of the activities, experiences and practices that are on offer to children. This ensures that she always seeks to improve their learning opportunities and, overall, works towards the best possible outcomes for children. Therefore, the childminder's capacity to maintain continuous improvement is excellent.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhancing opportunities to enable children to discover things about numbers through practical situations, rather than through use of workbooks 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 excellent knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and how to keep children safe. This is because of clear, concise and comprehensive policies and procedures and regular, in-depth risk assessments. Also, the childminder keeps herself up-to-date with regular, professional training. Children's safety is further enhanced as they participate in regular fire drills. This allows them to be fully aware of what to do in an emergency. The childminder keeps comprehensive documentation and records that she uses meticulously to promote children's health and well-being.

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the early years provision

Children have constant access to a varied amount of resources, which promotes equality and diversity. They learn about festivals and celebrations from around the world at an age-appropriate level. The childminder ensures that she handles all topics sensitively and that both children and parents learn about the topics. She arranges resources most effectively, creating an enabling environment for children to play and learn. Children are highly confident and independent learners. This is because they have easy access to a wide range of exciting toys and play materials, strongly supporting their enjoyment and achievement.

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the early years provision

The childminder has built excellent relationships with parents which greatly benefit the care of children. She keeps the parents fully up-to-date with their children's progress through informative profiles, daily journals and newsletters. Much information adorns the walls to reinforce her excellent practices. Parents and children have an exemplary role in the self-evaluation process, which ensures that the childminder is fully responsive to its users. Children make comments, such as 'she is a very talented and good childminder.' They state that they feel comfortable in her house and comment that they like reading stories and wouldn't change anything as it's just perfect. Parents' comments include that she is excellent and she creates a happy atmosphere and that they like the level of education that takes place. They further comment that children feel safe and loved and that it's more like an extended family than a childcare provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder has highlighted that she wants to further develop the assessment systems to fully clarify how children have moved through the early learning goals. The childminder has evaluated the setting extremely well and has clear priorities and targets for improvements. She is fully aware of the need to have secure relationships with other settings if the need arises. Currently, she does not have any children on roll who attend other settings or need support from other agencies. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's qualification in early years and expertise of the EYFS result in children being offered challenging and exciting experiences. As a result, they make excellent progress towards the early learning goals. Children clearly relish their time in the setting and are stimulated and excited by activities that are on offer. The clear, concise, individual planning, observation and assessment fully ensure that children are offered a balanced curriculum in each of the six areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is very calm and attentive and, therefore, children respond warmly to her and are highly confident when exploring the learning environment independently. They feel at home and know where everything belongs. They are very aware of routines and are, therefore, settled and relaxed in her care. They have excellent opportunities to develop a sense of self-identity. They undertake activities, such as exploring their feelings and looking at meaningful celebrations that take place in their lives. When caring for just one child, the childminder ensures that she spends equal time on one-to-one learning and helping the child to meet others. Children develop their social skills and learning alongside others through attending focused play centres and groups.

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and outcomes for children

Children thrive because of the range of activities that is available to them. They fully explore and appreciate all messy and craft activities and use their imagination extensively to create pictures that represent real life experiences. The childminder is highly skilled in making sure there is balance of learning through play. Children problem solve using the very wide range of resources to hand. However, there is occasional use of workbooks, rather than practical activities, for exploration of number. The childminder boosts children's confidence and gives praise for activities done well, fully encouraging them to further their learning by doing so. She is highly skilled in managing behaviour. She has strategies in place to monitor, anticipate and support children through challenging times in their lives, in full collaboration with parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children adopt very good personal hygiene habits through washing routines. They take responsibility for keeping themselves safe through various activities that are designed to make them think and respond accordingly. For example, they discuss posters that reinforce best practice in the home. Children feel very safe and emotionally secure in the setting. This is because the childminder has close relationships with them, enabling them to feel completely settled and comfortable to explore the environment. Children play happily and feel fully included and supported in all activities. Consequently, they thoroughly enjoy their time in the setting. They achieve very well and develop highly significant skills for future learning. 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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