Childminder in Islington

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 153519 Inspection date 09/05/2012 Inspector Anahita Aderianwalla

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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. She lives with her adult son. They live in a three bedroom house in the London Borough of Islington. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is access to a fully enclosed outside play area. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years, of whom three children may be in the early years age range. She currently cares for one child in the early years age range. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are welcomed into a relaxed and caring environment where they are happy and settled. The childminder has a sound understanding of children's welfare and individual needs through the positive relationships developed with parents. Systems for observations, assessments and planning are developing and do not effectively identify children's next steps. Partnerships are suitably maintained, although the opportunities to fully include parents in their child's learning are not explored. Systems to evaluate the quality of the provision are not effectively developed to fully reflect on ways to improve the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop opportunities for parents to contribute to their children's development records to further engage them in children's learning  develop further the planning to ensure activities radiate from children's interests and next steps to provide purposeful challenge and enable children to build on what they already know and can do  develop reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development and include the views of parents and children, which will improve the quality of outcomes for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is sufficiently organised with the necessary documentation in place to support children's welfare and safety. The childminder uses her policies and procedures to support her practice and shares them with parents to inform This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them of her role. Regular risk assessments are completed for all areas children use, which helps to identify and minimise risks to children. The childminder recently attended a refresher course to update her knowledge of safeguarding issues. She has a sound understanding of the procedures to follow if she has a concern about a child. This contributes towards safeguarding children. The premises are suitably organised to allow children to move freely and safely around within their play. A reasonable range of resources are accessible to children within the home, which enables them to make some choices about their play. This

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the early years provision

includes play equipment that reflects positive images of other cultures which helps to raise children's awareness of diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder adopts appropriate levels of monitoring and has attended a few training courses to refresh her knowledge. She liaises with other childminders to talk about practice issues. The childminder recognises the importance of continuing to develop her childminding provision; however, effective systems to identify and highlight all areas for improvement for children are not yet fully established.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a generally positive partnership with parents and relationships are well established. She seeks and takes account of the views of her parents about important issues that concern the health or welfare of the child. Parents receive adequate information through the parent welcome pack about the aspects of the setting. Parents also receive colourful scrap books, which include photographs and examples of their children's work. These are given to the parents when their children leave the setting. There is a regular exchange of information with parents, providing them with sufficient information on their children's general well-being; although, observations and aspects of their learning progress are not fully explored. The childminder has appropriate links with other partnerships, which contribute towards providing continuity of care and learning. For example, the childminder has suitable links with the local school and uses their resources to

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the early years provision

encourage children to participate in celebrating a variety of festivals from around the world.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled; they relate well to the childminder and are confident to approach her when they need support as they can be assured of a warm and friendly response. The childminder has a sound understanding of children's particular needs and follows their individual routines so they feel comfortable in her care. Children access a suitable range of age appropriate play activities and experiences, which keep them sufficiently interested and engaged.

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and outcomes for children

Planning and observational assessments carried out to help monitor children's progress are in the early stages of development. At present, they do not clearly link to the areas of learning and observations do not include next steps in learning. The childminder is not fully confident in her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Consequently, she does not always make the most This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of opportunities to extend children's learning and development. Children are encouraged to learn social skills, such as saying 'please' and 'thank you', and they cooperate well when tidying away the puzzles before snack time. The childminder praises their efforts, which helps to boost their confidence and self-esteem, and promotes children's independence within the daily routines. Children enjoy listening to stories and happily cuddle up to the childminder to look at the pictures

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and outcomes for children

from a variety of interactive books they enjoy. Their language is suitably promoted as the childminder generates conversation and children repeat familiar words.

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and outcomes for children

Children count and use positional language in their daily play and practise problem solving. For example, the childminder asks the children to place blocks, 'on top, to the left and to the right' and then count how many they have altogether. Children take part in regular outings to places of interest, such as Stay and Play sessions at the children's centre and trips to the local shops, farms and local parks where they love to play football. This raises children's awareness of their local community and provides them with wider learning opportunities. Children are beginning to show understanding about healthy lifestyles and the importance of adopting good hygiene habits. Regular reinforcement and clear explanations, for example, 'we have to wash our hands before cooking because of the germs', result in children having good awareness of hand washing routines. Children have easy access to their own water bottle and enjoy healthy options at meal times. Children

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and outcomes for children

learn to keep themselves safe through regular weekly practice of the escape plan, daily practice of the green cross code and frequent safety explanations while playing. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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