Childminder in Brent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY366311 Inspection date 01/05/2012 Inspector Helen Steven

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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 January 2008. She lives with her four adult children in a four bedroomed house in Neasden in the London Borough of Brent. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding. There is a secure, enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding three children in the early years age group. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of a childminding network. She holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 3.

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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

The childminder is committed to providing an extremely high quality and fully inclusive service. Children receive an excellent standard of care and education, which meets their individual learning and development needs. Excellent partnerships with parents are in place and, overall, they receive a very good range of information. The childminder's commitment to ensuring smooth transitions and ongoing links with other early years settings ensure children are very happy and well settled. Effective and ongoing monitoring of her service enables the childminder to identify and subsequently address areas for development, thereby demonstrating a clear capacity to maintain ongoing improvement and bring about positive outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 strengthening the information given to parents to help them extend the children's learning at home.

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the early years provision

A high priority for the childminder is the safeguarding of children. She shows excellent knowledge of this and has systems in place to report any concerns. The childminder ensures that adults in the household are suitably vetted. She undertakes effective risk assessments, identifying and addressing any potential hazards. Moreover, she ensures that children learn about keeping themselves safe This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 by teaching them about various emergency procedures. The childminder has equality of opportunity at the heart of her service. She knows children's backgrounds extremely well and ensures they have a true sense of belonging in her setting. The childminder shows an intense dedication and enthusiasm for the work that she does, and children's best interests are at the centre of this. She is committed to driving improvement through her own self-assessment, although she

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the early years provision

The childminder is an active member of her childminding network and embraces the opportunities to share professional expertise to help enhance or improve the outcomes for children. She is proactive, and identifies and sources training to fill gaps in her knowledge. She is currently preparing herself for the changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage so that she is ready for implementation in September. The childminder is praised by parents, who are extremely happy with the service she provides. They find her to be organised, professional and approachable. Parents report that an inclusive culture is evident, and they also appreciate the time given to their children by other adults in the household. Parents state the childminder is 'An outstanding childcare provider, with a brilliant family'. The childminder provides parents with a handbook, regular newsletters and daily diaries, to which parents contribute. Parents have access to their

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the early years provision

children's observations and progress-tracking sheets. In addition, the childminder provides information about community activities and leaflets on various developmental issues. Currently, although written information is not used to inform parents about the areas of learning and how they can specifically support their children's learning at home, activities such as the 'project folders' engage parents in their children's learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder works in a professional manner with children's schools to ensure that each child gets the support they need. She has an excellent approach to transition processes, thus ensuring continuity between all settings. As a result, each child's social, emotional and educational needs are addressed very well. When children begin nursery school, the childminder organises a series of activities, such as relevant stories and making puppets, to act out scenarios to help children alleviate their fears. She records a summative assessment to communicate information which will secure continuity of experience for the child between settings

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely happy with their childminder and make excellent progress in her care, developing skills for their future. They play in a comfortable homely environment which is adapted to be child oriented. The childminder provides a wide range of exciting resources and activities to ensure that children make excellent progress in all areas of their learning and development. She is able to adapt these activities to ensure that all children are included at a level that suits them, and consistently reviews them to ensure they meet the needs of all the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children. She creatively uses household items, such as her dining table and a blanket, to make a cosy den. By adding glowing stars and battery-operated lights to the underneath of the table, she makes the space even more exciting.

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and outcomes for children

There is a flexible approach to routine based on children's individual needs and their stages of development. Babies who are settling show that they are already developing a secure attachment to the childminder by smiling and giving her lots of eye contact. She reassures them until they develop confidence and are distracted in play, exploring things for themselves. Children's privacy is respected, and they go to another room to change when visitors are present. Children greet each other warmly, give hugs and tell each other they love them. Independence is actively encouraged; babies are given spoons to explore in preparation for them learning to feed themselves. The childminder is delighted when the children achieve and gives lots of praise, for example when babies stand alone, take a few steps or crawl through the play tunnel for the first time. Children behave extremely well; they are polite and show care and concern for others. They demonstrate an

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and outcomes for children

excellent understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe, proactively assessing hazards and recalling safety procedures to visitors.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder engages children in prolonged conversation, which is very effective in developing their language skills. She shares information, enquires and is interested to hear about children's time at school. She listens intently to babies and responds positively to the sounds that they make. Children report that their favourite activity is when the childminder reads stories to them. They sing along to familiar action rhymes with gusto, making space in the living room for lots of movement.

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and outcomes for children

Children spontaneously count items in the environment, such as the tree trunks on a painting. They skilfully solve problems as they negotiate space, squeezing under the furniture to access the den. They have immense fun exploring these dark spaces with a torch. Children are thrilled by the sight of a reflection of the torch beam on shining surfaces, finding rainbows as the light refracts. They explore sounds by shaking bells gently and whispering, then shaking them loudly and shouting. Babies smile and wait expectantly, anticipating when the loud noises are coming. Children's uniqueness is valued, and the minder plans very effectively for individual children. They learn to develop an understanding of the society in which they live and show respect for those whose background is different from their own.

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and outcomes for children

Older children are learning to develop healthy lifestyles. They learn to be fit and active as they go outside regularly. Photographs show children negotiating and climbing up trees, smiling with a sense of achievement. Indoors, they have great fun dancing and moving to action songs. Babies squeal with delight as they whizz around chasing balloons and are in awe as they emerge for the first time from a play tunnel. Children identify changes in their body when they are hot and know why they wash their hands before eating to 'get rid of germs'. Children are involved in digging and growing the food that they eat, such as potatoes and cress. 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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