Childminder in Camden

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY277984 Inspection date 15/03/2012 Inspector Catherine Greene

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and their three- year-old daughter in the Highgate area of the London borough of Camden. The ground and first floor of the house are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time; of these, two may be in the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for three children in the early years age group. She is also registered on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 secure and extremely happy in this setting. The childminder has excellent knowledge of each child, which enables her to ensure they learn and develop exceptionally well. Children enjoy an extensive range of high quality play and learning experiences. The childminder promotes their safety and security at all times. The expert quality of the childminder's provision is supported by an outstanding partnership with parents overall. There is a strong commitment to continuous improvement supported by professional self-evaluation and driven by a highly motivated childminder.

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further?

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

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further?

 developing systems to enable parents to contribute to their child's learning and development record.

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the early years provision

The childminder thoroughly safeguards children and she has a secure knowledge of the procedure to follow to report any concerns about a child's welfare. Thorough risk assessments help to keep children safe. Children explore independently and select resources with excellent levels of supervision at all times. The childminder establishes regular and effective risk assessments to ensure that children's safety is paramount. She carries out fire drills with children to enable them to develop an understanding about keeping themselves safe.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes excellent use of information from the responses made by children as she carefully observes them. This enables the childminder to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understand and meet the entire range of their needs. She has a detailed and accurate understanding of children's starting points and interests. From this point, she plans for excellent resources and a extensive range of activities that promote children's learning in an enjoyable and fun way. She maintains extremely well presented records to demonstrate the progress that individual children make.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from her exceptionally good organisational skills and her forward planning. Her development of self-evaluation and her ability to bring about improvements are strongly evident within her daily practice. She prioritises excellent partnership working with parents and staff at the nursery and playgroups that children attend. This helps ensure that children's overall learning and development is a positive and shared experience.

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the early years provision

Parents are valued partners and the individual needs of each child are taken into account in everything the childminder does. She collects comprehensive information about children as part of the settling-in period. She uses the information highly effectively to plan for children's next steps. Parents' continuing involvement is strongly encouraged. They contribute suggestions for activities, which they know their children particularly enjoy. However, this is not yet fully contained in children's learning records.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an exceptionally inclusive setting, in which all children's differences are valued and respected. She ensures that each child in her care feels valued and learns about our diverse society so that they are encouraged to value others too. Children's creative work and positive images celebrating different people and their festivals and photographs of past and current children are proudly displayed throughout her home.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very confident and learn extremely valuable social and independence skills. The childminder is particularly encouraging as she supports children's overall learning and development by giving children her undivided attention. They are inspired to take part in activities, including creative play and problem solving. Children learn about words and letters naturally as an integral part of their play. They respond very well to the learning opportunities and to the childminder as they play together and share conversations.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has introduced an effective and easy to follow system for recording observations of children's development as they play. She has an excellent understanding of the six areas of learning and an extremely secure knowledge of the learning intentions for each activity. She has the substantial skill to make learning fun and stimulating by following the interests of the children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses resources extremely effectively to support children's learning in all areas. The childminder extends children's vocabulary as they learn the alphabet, using picture cards with visual symbols. Children immerse themselves in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their creative play as they roll and cut up the play dough, being inventive and creating shapes. They learn to count as they sing favourite songs and rhymes that they really enjoy. The availability of programmable toys and resources help children learn the skills they need to operate information and communication technology. They gain excellent skills for the future. Well-considered and imaginative purchases of new resources provide all children with a diverse range of resources and books that are well organised. Children make free and independent choices about what to play with from cleverly designed bookshelves and learning

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and outcomes for children

Children have first-class opportunities to extend their physical skills and enjoy the open air in the garden and during the many trips to the heath, playgroup and local library. They use play equipment with confidence and engage in imaginative play and construction activities. The childminder actively promotes children's good health as they learn about personal hygiene and making healthy choices. She prepares them really well for being independent and the transition to nursery and school. The childminder is committed to providing healthy foods for children. She takes account of individual dietary needs and works in close partnership with parents.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's reassuring and supportive approach helps to successfully promote an inclusive atmosphere, where both parents and children feel valued. Children's behaviour is expertly guided by the childminder who sensitively explains to children what is expected of them. Children show extremely high levels of confidence and self-esteem. The childminder uses praise and encouragement to reinforce children's positive behaviour and she fully understands that children's self-esteem is an extremely important consideration. 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 1 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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