Childminder in Croydon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY302428 Inspection date 22/03/2012 Inspector Elizabeth Mackey

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and three children in a two bedroom maisonette. It is on the third floor and is accessed by stairs or a lift. Childminding generally takes place in the lounge and the bathroom is upstairs. There is no access to a garden so the childminder provides alternative arrangements for daily outdoor play. The premises are situated in Herne Hill in the London Borough of Lambeth. 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 three children under eight years at any one time, who may all be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for four children in the early years age group, who all attend on a part-time basis. The childminder holds a relevant, level three, childcare qualification.

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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

The childminder has an appropriate understanding to satisfactorily meet the individual welfare and learning needs of each child. Children gain an effective understanding of healthy lifestyles and of how to keep themselves safe. They access a suitable range of activities and resources to make satisfactory progress in their learning and development overall. However, the observation and assessment system is not used strongly to forward plan for children's individual development. Generally, partnerships work positively and there is some exchange of information that is mainly about children's day-to-day requirements. The childminder has begun to evaluate her provision though she has not robustly identified aspects for development. Nevertheless, the childminder demonstrates a satisfactory capacity for maintaining ongoing improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend observational assessment by noting each child's achievements, interests and learning styles to plan challenging and stimulating, indoor and outdoor play experiences  improve the two-way flow of information with parents to promote a shared understanding of children's developmental progress and involve them in the systems to promote children's learning and development  extend reflective practice and self-evaluation to continually look for ways to help improve outcomes for every child. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Arrangements for safeguarding children are robust. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of her responsibilities in safeguarding children. Effective risk assessments are in place and recorded to help make sure that children can play and learn safely. The childminder practises the evacuation routine regularly, so that all children can learn how to protect themselves in an emergency. She also teaches children to be safety conscious, by implementing clear boundaries in the setting and when on outings. The childminder maintains her first aid training and is well able to deal with children's minor injuries. She keeps the required records and procedures to promote children's safety and well-being. The childminder regularly attends local, childminding groups and she also keeps up-to-date with current requirements through attending relevant training. Courses attended since the last inspection include 'Safeguarding' and an 'Introduction to the Early Years

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the early years provision

The childminder suitably promotes equality and diversity in most areas of her practice. All children have equal access to the play and learning opportunities provided and the childminder identifies the measures she takes to close identified achievement gaps. However, infrequent observations and a lack of planning for children's next steps mean these measures do not deliver results consistently; therefore, these do not help children to reach their potential. The childminder provides a varied range of resources and activities. These include the use of positive images of diversity to encourage children to value the differences between people in society. Resources are freely accessible and soundly support activities across the areas of learning. Children are making satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals, although tracking of this progress is not systematic.

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the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to evaluate her practice and seeks the views of parents as part of her quality monitoring process. However, she does not routinely identify and monitor her strengths and priority areas for improvement. There are currently no children on roll, who attend other settings or need support from other agencies. However, the childminder is aware of the importance of establishing partnerships with other settings, if the need arises. The childminder provides daily feedback to parents about children's activities and the daily routine. She shares all information verbally and daily, two-way communication helps to promote consistency in children's care. This does not extend, however, to involving parents in their children's learning or in planning for the next steps in their development. Parents report they are very happy with the range of activities, especially their children's involvement in gardening and outdoor, play activities.

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children attend a welcoming environment that provides clear access to activities across the six areas of learning. The childminder is enthusiastic in her approach; she knows children well and provides some stimulating, age-appropriate activities. The childminder spends time talking and listening with children, giving them support to extend their skills and levels of understanding. Children play happily and enjoy the positive communication and interaction. The childminder praises children appropriately and she gently reinforces the boundaries in place, for example, reminding them not to run in the setting. Children are familiar with the daily routine and eagerly join in the singing activity before lunch. They copy actions, which provide natural opportunities for counting as they sing number rhymes, using their fingers to depict the numbers. Children show they feel entirely safe and comfortable in the childminder's care, as they sit close to her when she reads them

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and outcomes for children

a story. They look for the childminders approval as they begin to show a sense of responsibility and help to tidy away the toys. Children are starting to develop satisfactory skills for the future. For example, they are introduced to technology through use of interactive toys. Children enjoy art activities and the childminder provides suitable materials. Children easily access these resources and they are able to make choices in their play. Tools and materials for mark making and craft activities are also nearby, ready for adult-led play. Role play is always available and children use resources and the environment imaginatively. They pretend to take 'their babies' shopping and return to tell the childminder about their trip. Children practise the skills needed to develop their early writing skills, and the childminder proudly displays their creative work on the wall or in their individual scrapbooks.

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and outcomes for children

Children gain a good understanding about healthy lifestyles. They are encouraged to develop healthy eating habits, receiving snacks that are healthy, such as mixed fruits. Water is available and offered at regular intervals throughout the day, so that children do not become thirsty. Children enjoy a wide range of physical activities. They walk to local parks, the library and local children's centres. As there is no garden at the setting, the childminder places good emphasis on outdoor play, by ensuring that children enjoy a daily outing. Children follow good hygiene routines and the childminder explains the importance of hand washing. Children are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe as they practise road safety and emergency evacuation, which is essential as the setting is in a high-rise block. Children are suitably encouraged to learn about the wider world during visits to the local area; they attend childminding groups daily. The childminder provides a

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and outcomes for children

lovely photographic record, which shows children enjoying activities, including visiting spring lambs at a farm and tending plants. These positive, early experiences provide children with sound opportunities to develop the skills needed for their 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 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 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 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 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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