Childminder in Hammersmith and Fulham

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY435076 Inspection date 16/05/2012 Inspector Christine Bonnett

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 with her seven-year-old child in Shepherd's Bush in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The whole of the first floor flat is available for childminding. A large communal garden is used for outside play. The flat is accessed using internal stairs. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children aged under eight years at any one time; of these, all three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding one child in this age group. However, there were no children present at the time of the inspection. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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 looks after children in a welcoming and safe, family home. However, she does not carry out regular fire drills to enhance children's knowledge of how to respond in an emergency. Positive partnerships with parents ensure that she knows and meets consistently children's individual needs. The childminder demonstrates that she has the knowledge and skills to help children to make sound progress in their learning and development. However, there is a weakness in the promotion of communication skills. The childminder has started to self- evaluate her practice and demonstrates that she has suitable capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 carry out regular evacuation drills and record details in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  encourage young children to explore and imitate sound and introduce regular, phonics sessions for older, more able children.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has good knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities towards safeguarding the well-being of children. She knows the procedures to follow to report any concerns about their welfare. Children play in a safe environment. This is because the childminder effectively minimises potential hazards by conducting regular, risk assessments in the home and while out in the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 local community. The childminder has a clearly defined procedure for the emergency evacuation of her first floor flat. The childminder maintains all the necessary records and documents required for the efficient management of the setting and the well-being of children.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder establishes positive relationships with parents. She obtains all relevant information from them about their children at the beginning of an arrangement so that she provides appropriate and consistent care. She also works closely with them to plan a settling-in period that suits the individual needs of each child and their family. This ensures that the child adjusts to the new environment successfully. The childminder uses questionnaire forms to seek the views of parents in relation to the service she provides. Comments on the forms are positive. Parents state that they are pleased with their children's progress and that the childminder is warm and loving towards their children. There are currently no children in the childminder's care who attend other early years settings or who need support from other agencies. However, the childminder is aware of the need to work in partnership with all other parties if the need arises.

p.5

the early years provision

Having just recently started to look after children, the childminder is still developing an effective system of self-evaluation. However, she has already made changes in her routine to better suit the sleep patterns and meal times of children. She has also obtained new play resources to accommodate a child's particular interest. The childminder understands the benefit to herself and children of continuously improving her practice. Her plans for the future include attending further training to gain a greater understanding of child development.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a suitable range of play materials to enable children to make progress towards the early learning goals. The play equipment is clean and in good condition. The childminder sets out a variety of items for children to use each day. Children can also help themselves to items of their choice, as these are easily accessible. The living room is conducive to children's learning because it is a comfortable, play space and has children's art work and posters displayed on the walls. The childminder has a range of play equipment that reflects diversity. She also explains how she provides experiences, including visiting local pre-school groups, to suitably help children learn about the diverse society in which they live.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Although no children were present during the inspection, the childminder has clear evidence of how she soundly supports children's learning. She carries out observations of children as they play to help her assess their stage of development in each area of learning. The information gained enables her to plan the next step in each child's learning journey. Children's progress files include the observations and photographs of them playing. The files demonstrate how children are progressing. These also show the wide range of fun activities the childminder provides, both in her home and by visiting pre-school groups. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 explains how children enjoy story time and visiting the library to choose books. She also describes how younger children make the sounds of their favourite animals and how she encourages this as a way of developing their speech. However, she

p.5

and outcomes for children

has not developed this further by introducing phonics to enable older, more able children to learn the sounds that make up words. The childminder's photographs show children fixing large, puzzle shapes together and counting in order to develop problem solving skills and numeracy. Programmable toys, such as a telephone with flashing lights, are readily available. These enable children to suitably learn the skills they need to operate information and communication technology in the future.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder describes how she encourages children to learn house rules as they get older. These include being nice to each other and sitting down to eat. By understanding what is expected of them, children develop a sense a security and belonging. Having rules also helps children learn how to keep themselves safe, because they become aware of potential dangers and how to avoid them. However, the childminder has not practised fire drills with minded children to develop their knowledge of how they should respond should an emergency arise.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes the good health of children by taking the necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection when they are ill. She has completed a relevant first aid course to ensure she is able to respond appropriately if a child has an accident. Children are well encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Although parents supply their child's main meal, the childminder provides snacks. She gathers information from parents about any particular, dietary requirements. The snacks provided include fresh fruit. Photographs in children's progress files show that they have lots of opportunities to benefit from physical exercise. They enjoy using the swings in the park and scrambling around at the soft play centre. The communal garden also enables children to have fun while running around outdoors. 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 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 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