Childminder in Havering

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY279109 Inspection date 28/03/2012 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 registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and four children in a five bedroom, purpose-built maisonette flat, situated in the Walworth area of the London Borough of Southwark. Access to the home is using a lift or stairs. Children have access to all areas of the home, except four of the bedrooms. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. 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 years; of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group. There is currently one child on roll in the early years age range, who attends on a part-time basis. No children were present at the time of the inspection. The childminder holds a 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

Through discussion and observation of the premises, resources and documentation, the childminder demonstrates that she meets the needs of all children effectively. She has established good methods of tracking children's progress and is able to show that they are making good progress in all areas of learning. Through discussion and documentation, the childminder demonstrates that, overall, she has a strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement. She has met all recommendations raised at the last inspection. She uses a variety of methods of self-evaluation, although methods of evaluating all aspects of the childminding service are not fully established. Overall, the childminder has a good range of policies and procedures in place which are aimed at helping to safeguard children and promoting their welfare.

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further?

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

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further?

 gain further understanding of self-evaluation in order to confidently identify aspects of the childminding service that are done well, and those aspects that might be improved, so as to promote good outcomes for children  record the details of regular evacuation drills in a fire log book and of any problems encountered and how they were resolved. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Through discussion and observation of documentation, the childminder demonstrates that she has effective methods in place to help safeguard children and promote their welfare. She has kept up-to-date with relevant safeguarding training. She keeps relevant policies and procedures in place so that she is able to take prompt action if she has any concerns regarding children's welfare. The childminder maintains all required documents effectively, helping to safeguard children's welfare. She shows good regard to promoting children's safety. For example, she completes thorough risk assessments of the home and prior to outings and conducts regular, emergency, evacuation drills. However, she has not established methods of recording the fire drills in a log book so that any hazards encountered are identified and details recorded of how they were resolved. Partnerships with the local authority are well established, as the childminder

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the early years provision

regularly attends the local area childminders' groups and children's centre activities. Although no children currently attend any other educational settings, the childminder shows an awareness of the benefits of partnership working with other agencies.

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the early years provision

Through discussion and observation of documentation, the childminder demonstrates that engagement with parents is strong. She ensures that all required documents are shared with parents. She has well established methods to ensure parents are kept up-to-date regarding their children's progress. She also makes time to discuss all events of the day with parents when children are collected. Through discussion and observation of documentation and resources, the childminder demonstrates that she actively promotes equality. She provides activities, books and outings that extend children's awareness of cultures and beliefs. She explains how she takes children on regular, local outings so that children learn about the diverse community in which they live. The childminder explains how she works with parents to ensure that children's individual needs are catered for.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to driving improvement. She has attended a broad range of courses since the last inspection. This has enabled her to extend her knowledge relating to children's welfare and their learning and development. The childminder also demonstrates a strong commitment to improving the quality of her service, as she has successfully met all recommendations raise at the last inspection. The childminder is developing the use of self-evaluation. She explains how she uses a variety of methods to identify the strengths of her service and is aware of some areas that she plans to improve. However, the process of consolidating her evaluations to ensure all aspects of her provision are evaluated effectively is in its infancy. Through discussion and observation of documentation and resources, the childminder demonstrates that deployment of resources is effective. For example, she ensures that the time that

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the early years provision

children attend is used effectively so that they are able to participate in a wide variety of activities and outings. She also ensures that her home is well organised; this enables children to develop their independent learning skills as they choose This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 toys and books and follow their own interests.

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and outcomes for children

Through discussion and observation of the childminders home and resources, she demonstrates how children benefit from a clean, bright and well maintained learning environment. Toys and books are easily accessible for children to choose; this enables them children to make choices and develop their independence during play. All resources are well maintained and suitable for the age and stage of development of children attending. Through observation of documentation, the childminder demonstrates how she has tracked children's progress since they began in her care. She has made regular observations of children during play. She successfully links her observations to the expectations of the early learning goals and identifies children's priorities for learning. She explains how she then plans a good balance of learning opportunities to meet children's needs; this includes adult-led activities and time for free play in the home and regular outings. The

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and outcomes for children

childminder also keeps samples of children's creative work to show their progress over time. Overall, she demonstrates that children are making good progress and that she is supporting them well in developing their skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Through discussion and observation of documentation and resources, the childminder demonstrates that she actively helps children to adopt healthy lifestyles. She ensures that they have lots of garden play and outings to the park so that they gain fresh air and exercise. In addition, they use a variety of wheeled toys and climbing apparatus to develop their physical skills. The childminder shows an awareness of children's individual dietary needs. She offers healthy snacks, such as fresh fruit, promoting children's healthy eating habits. The childminder also explains how she shows regard to maintaining good hygiene practice. She ensures food safety standards are met regarding the storage and re-heating of any foods provided by parents. She also helps children learn about good hygiene practice through everyday routines.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder discusses how children develop their positive contribution to their learning environment. She explains how supports them in learning about expectations of their behaviour. She encourages them to develop their sense of responsibility as they help to tidy away toys after use. In addition, she explains how they have developed their social skills while attending the children's groups on a regular basis. The childminder explains that she has developed good relationships with the children over time, so that they feel safe in her care. She also helps them to learn about safety in the home and while on outings.

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and outcomes for children

Through discussion and observation of documentation, the childminder demonstrates that children are enjoying and achieving well while in her care. Samples of children's creative work show that they participate in a variety of activities that develop their free creative expression. The childminder keeps samples of children's drawings that show that they are developing good early writing skills and are beginning to write well formed letters and numbers. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder explains how children enjoy counting during play. Through observation of the garden, the childminder demonstrates how children learn about nature and living things as they grow a variety of vegetables. She explains how children like to cook and eat them. Through observation of children's assessments and photos, the childminder demonstrates that children are making good progress in all areas of

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and outcomes for children

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 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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