Childminder in Oxfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY431317 Inspection date 17/03/2012 Inspector Jill Nugent

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 2011. She lives in a ground floor flat in the Poplar area of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The whole of the premises is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time; of these, three children may be in the early years age range. Currently she has two children on roll, both of whom are in the early years age range.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder offers a welcoming and inclusive provision where children enjoy a satisfactory range of suitable play activities. She has most of the required documentation in place to help promote children's welfare although there is one breach in requirements related to children's safety. The childminder appropriately promotes and extends children's learning through play. However, she has not fully developed her assessment processes to support her in helping individual children make progress. She forms satisfactory partnerships with parents that help meet children's individual needs. The childminder is beginning to use self-evaluation to reflect on her practices and shows a satisfactory capacity to maintain continuous improvements to outcomes for children.

p.4

further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.4

further?

 request written permission from parents for the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 04/05/2012

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop the use of ongoing observational assessment in order to plan more effectively to meet children's individual learning needs  develop the use of self-evaluation to identify the strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of the provision for all children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has effective procedures in place to promote the safeguarding of children. She carries out robust risk assessments of her home and takes effective action to minimise risks. She risk assesses all outings that children take part in, for example, trips to the local park. The childminder has a good understanding of what to do if she has any concerns relating to child protection. She is vigilant concerning safety issues and interacts well with children to promote their understanding of how to stay safe. The childminder maintains records relating to the promotion of children's health and safety well. However, she has breached a legal welfare requirement with regard to requesting written parental permission for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment for a child.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder organises the available play space appropriately so that it is attractive for children and conducive to learning. A satisfactory collection of suitable resources is easily accessible at low level. Children enjoy the flexibility to explore in different situations, for example, on the carpet, at low tables or outdoors. The childminder makes sound use of her time in making sure that children are involved in interesting play activities. She maintains their interest by suggesting different activities and interacts appropriately with them to support their learning experiences. Children benefit from individual attention at times and this helps to improve their concentration. The childminder's close attention to children's practical needs helps them feel content in her care. She is thorough in the way she finds out about children's individual needs and backgrounds. This enables her to offer good support and meet the care needs of individual children.

p.5

the early years provision

Children feel welcome and quickly develop a strong sense of belonging. The childminder uses resources that reflect diversity to help children develop a good understanding of the wider world.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder provides useful written information for new parents about her provision. She exchanges information with parents on a daily basis and shares her observations of children's achievements. She is aware of the need to work in partnership with other professionals and providers, when necessary, in order to maintain continuity of care for individual children.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has completed her initial required training. Since registration, she has organised her paperwork so that she has a suitable foundation for her practice. She is becoming aware of her strengths and seeks advice from other childcare professionals in order to continue to improve her provision. At present, she is working towards a childcare qualification at level 3. She has booked on various additional training courses in order to increase her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. However, her system of self-evaluation is not fully effective in helping her reflect on her childcare practices and in prioritising areas for further improvement that will benefit children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. They are beginning to secure the skills they need for their future learning. The childminder demonstrates to the children how to do things. She then encourages them to have a go themselves, for example, as they work together to create a model of a crocodile. Children learn how to solve problems as they explore and investigate. They make some choices of play activities as well as taking part in adult-led activities. The childminder focuses on helping children gain skills in the key areas of literacy and numeracy by extending their knowledge of letters and numbers. She is aware of children's interests and is beginning to use them in her future planning. However, she has not yet established an effective system of observational assessment that enables her to note children's developmental needs and take these into account in future planning.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settle well and show a positive attitude towards the learning opportunities on offer. They eagerly take up the childminder's suggestions. Children work well independently as they concentrate on their self-chosen tasks, for example, cutting out small shapes using modelling dough. They develop close relationships with the childminder and gain good levels of self-confidence as she supports them in their play. Children behave well and are attentive to the childminder when she asks questions or gives instructions. They learn to be polite and develop a good awareness of the need to respect others. Children enjoy the childminder's company as she joins in their play. She engages them in conversation, thereby helping them to develop their use of language.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children develop a strong understanding of how to keep themselves safe. They show they feel safe in the home as the childminder is always on hand and there are various safety measures in place. Children show an increasing awareness of the boundaries and think carefully before making any decisions. They develop a satisfactory awareness of healthy lifestyles as the childminder offers them nutritious snacks and promotes good hygiene practices. Children enjoy bowls of fresh fruit while relaxing after school. They have easy access to drinking water when they get thirsty. Children develop their physical skills when playing in the park. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

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 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8