Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY291216 Inspection date 22/03/2012 Inspector Josephine Geoghegan

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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 since 2003 and lives in The Walworth area of the London Borough of Southwark. She lives with her husband and two children who are both aged over the early years age range. Children have access to all areas of the home and the childminder takes children to local parks for outside play. The home is on the fourth floor and is accessible via a lift or stairs. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for maximum of four children under the age of eight years at any one time, only three of whom may be in the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for two children who are both in the early years age group. Children attend all day for two or three days each week. The childminder holds a recognised level 2 qualification in childcare and education.

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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 shows a strong capacity to maintaining continuous improvement. Overall, she has completed an accurate self-evaluation of her service and clearly identifies her strengths and any areas she plans to improve. She has also successfully met all recommendations raised at the last inspection. The childminder shows high regard to promoting children's safety, although methods of recording emergency evacuation drills are less well established. The needs of all children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are met effectively. The childminder has established good systems to track children's progress. She plans an interesting range of activities and outings that meet children's learning needs. As a result, children are constantly engaged in purposeful play and enjoy their time in the childminder's care.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out regular fire drills and record the details in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good systems in place to help safeguard children and promote their welfare. She has attended relevant safeguarding training and has appropriate policies and procedures in place. She also keeps accurate documentation relating to the children who are in her care; this helps to safeguard their welfare. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder is confident that she would take prompt action if she had any concerns regarding children's welfare. The childminder shows high regard to promoting children's safety in the home and while on outings. She has conducted thorough risk assessments and uses a range of safety equipment in the home. Children participate in regular evacuation drills, although methods of recording the evacuation drills are not fully established.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows a strong commitment to driving improvement as she has met all recommendations raised at the last inspection. She actively uses self- evaluation as a tool to identify the strengths of her service and any areas that she plans to improve. In addition, she shows a strong commitment to keeping up to date with current practice. For example, she has attended a variety of relevant training courses since the last inspection. Deployment of resources is effective. The childminder ensures the home is well organised so that children benefit from a stimulating learning environment. She plans a good range of activities and outings that support children's individual learning needs. Children are supported well and are purposefully engaged in activities that reflect all areas of learning.

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the early years provision

Partnerships are effective as the childminder has established good links with the local authority childminding coordinators and childmindering groups. Promoting equality is embedded in the childminder's practice. She works closely with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met appropriately. Good systems in place to ensure any care offered to children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities promote inclusion. Children participate in regular outings in the community; this helps them to learn about the environment in which they live. They also learn about cultures and beliefs through well planned activities relating to festivals and events. Children also use resources that promote positive images of people in the community.

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the early years provision

Engagement with parents is strong. The childminder ensures parents are kept well informed about their children's progress by sharing their learning journey files with them on a regular basis. She also completes weekly record sheets and welcomes parents' comments; this promotes good communication and consistency of care. The childminder also seeks parents' views via a questionnaire; parents report that their children are happy in the childminder's care. They emphasise how their children tell them about what they have been doing and that they look forward to the day with the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a welcoming learning environment where a good range of toys, books and resources are easily accessible. This enables children to make choices during play and develop their independence. Toys and books are of good quality and suitable for the abilities of the children attending. The childminder provides a good balance of learning opportunities including free play, planned activities and outings. She offers high levels of support to children during play. As a result children are interested to learn and keenly join in all activities. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder has established good methods of assessing children's progress. She keeps learning journey files on each child that include observations, photos and samples of children's creative work. The childminder successfully links her observations to the expectations of the early learning goals. She then plans a

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and outcomes for children

variety of activities that relate the children's individual learning needs and interest.

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and outcomes for children

Good systems are in place to promote children's health and well-being. For example, they adopt healthy lifestyles through regular outside play where they gain fresh air and exercise. In addition, they frequently attend children's groups to use the large range of physical play equipment; this helps children to develop their physical control. Children also adopt healthy eating habits as the childminder provides a range of healthy snacks including a variety of fresh fruit. Parents provide home-cooked meals and the childminder shows regard to maintaining good food safety standards. Children are developing good self-care skills and they are supported in learning about good hygiene practice through daily routines.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well behaved and show good relationships with the childminder. For example, they confidently approach the childminder during play and seek comfort if they are upset. This shows that they feel safe and secure in her care. Children are supported well in learning about safety within the home and while on outings. They show a positive contribution to their learning environment as they know to put away the toys after use. They are supported well in learning expectations of their behaviour and respond well to any requests made by the childminder. As a result, children play cooperatively and they are learning to share and take turns during play.

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and outcomes for children

Children move freely, choosing toys and books and following their own interests. They enjoy adult led activities such as making playdough and show great care as they add the ingredients and follow the childminders instructions. They then enjoy using the playdough with a range of accessories. They develop their language skills as they talk about what they have made. They also play with the playdough imaginatively and use language to express real and imagined experiences. Children show good problem solving skills as they sort all of the shapes into the correct boxes. They show a good awareness of colour, shape and number. For example, they count with the childminder during play. Children are able to sing songs from memory and join in with the actions enthusiastically. They develop their knowledge and understanding of the world during outings to learn about nature and to places of interest. They are able to operate programmable toys and re-enact real life

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and outcomes for children

experiences, for example while using the till and shopping set. Overall, children have good opportunities to develop their skills for the future as the childminder successfully provides activities and outings that meet children's individual learning needs. 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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