Childminder in Merton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY423982 Inspection date 16/05/2012 Inspector Lindsay Farenden

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and children aged six and three near Morden in the London Borough of Merton, close to parks, schools and bus routes. The childminder lives in a house where there is access to a toilet on the ground floor. The whole of the home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet cat. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years, of whom two may be in the Early Years age group. She is currently minding three children in this age group on a part time basis. She also provides care for children aged over five to 10 years. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder goes to toddler groups and takes children to parks regularly.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children flourish in this warm and caring setting. As a result of having a wide range of stimulating activities and outings, children make good progress in their learning and development. Overall children's safety is promoted. Children's individuality is respected and valued by the childminder who has an excellent knowledge of each child's individual needs, interests and abilities. Highly positive working relationships with parents ensure excellent continuity of care and learning. The childminder's liaison with schools ensures children's learning is strongly promoted. Through self-evaluation, the childminder is very aware of the strengths and areas for improvement in the provision. She constantly strives to improve the outcomes for children in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the risk assessment so that it covers anything which a child may become into contact with for example, potential hazards in the kitchen

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the early years provision

There is strong emphasis on safeguarding children. The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection issues and procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child's welfare. Adults living in the home have been fully vetted to ensure they are suitable to be in the presence of children. Fire prevention equipment is in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 place and the childminder carries out regular drills, so children learn what to do in the event of an emergency. To promote children's safety the childminder has carried out a risk assessment of her home and for outings. However, sharp knives have not been made completely inaccessible to older children. The childminder is very vigilant about supervising children closely at all times. A wealth of written polices and procedures are shared with parents and guide the childminder in her daily practice to overall promote children's health, safety and welfare. The

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the early years provision

childminder organises her day well and children's care is enriched by her enthusiastic commitment to her work. The childminder is very committed to constantly improving her childminding practice, through the use of self-evaluation and is currently working towards obtaining a level 3 childcare qualification.

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the early years provision

Children eagerly choose what they want to play with from resources which are set out in the lounge to support their interests and next stage of learning. A very good range of toys and books which promote children's understanding of diversity are fully integrated into everyday play. Children have great fun learning about different festivals and the wider community. For example, at Chinese New Year they enjoyed doing craft activities relating to it and visiting a Chinese supermarket to buy lanterns.

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the early years provision

Excellent relationships with parents contribute to inclusion and meeting children's needs very well. Parents views about their child's needs and interests are actively obtained when they start, and on a regular basis throughout their time at the childminder's. Daily verbal and written feedback to parents ensures they are very well informed about the activities their children have enjoyed and their care routines. Letters from parents at the time of the inspection show they think extremely highly of the childminder and how their children thoroughly enjoy attending the setting. The childminder regularly liaises with teachers of school children attend and then uses the information gained to provide activities to further enhance and consolidate children's learning in her care.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and content in the childminder's relaxed homely environment. Warm and trusting relationships have developed between the childminder and the children and she has a lovely rapport with them. Children show a real sense of belonging and demonstrate that they feel very safe in her care. The childminder works very hard to instil in the children a sense of safety and an understanding of potential hazards in their surroundings.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder dedicates her time to the children when they are present and clearly enjoys her role. She is an excellent role model to the children, as she talks to them in a kind and gentle manner and is exceptionally patient with them. Children's behaviour is exemplary because they are constantly occupied and frequently praised for their achievements. The childminder has a very sound knowledge of how children learn through play, skilfully judging when to become This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 involved and when to allow them to independently explore. Consequently children remain very interested in their play and positively build on their natural curiosity as learners. Children of all ages thoroughly enjoy mark making and colouring activities. Children show a good interest in books as they are attractively displayed. They enjoy sitting in comfort on the settee looking at them and having stories read

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and outcomes for children

to them by the childminder. The childminder very effectively promotes children's language and social skills, through music and rhymes, using story sacks and story time at the library. The childminder helps children do puzzles and they explore a wide range of toys which help to develop their problem solving problem skills. The childminder encourages children's language skills, as she encourages them to talk about what they doing and name colours and shapes as they play. Children express themselves creatively through a wide range of mediums, such as painting activities, drawing, sand dough, using glue to make their own unique pictures and models. They learn about caring for the environment and the childminder talks to them about conserving water. Children interests in the wider world and social skills develop through a wonderful range of outings to places such as farms, pet shops, garden centres and the London Aquarium.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes highly worthwhile observations of children at play. These are skilfully evaluated and used to plan each individual child's next step of learning and development. The high quality learning journey's which include photographs of children do activities and their art work are regularly shared with parents and further programmes to support their development are devised with parents. This ensures children they reach their full potential in relation to their starting points.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder actively helps children develop healthy lifestyles. Children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills. They very much enjoy playing in the childminder's garden, visiting parks to use large apparatus and soft play centres. Children are provided with nutritious home cooked meals using fresh ingredients, which help them to develop healthy eating habits from a young age. Children recognise their own needs as they access drinking water at all times. The childminder gives high priority to hygiene procedures and teaches children how to wash their hands properly. She has a fully stocked first aid box and holds a current first aid certificate. This ensures her knowledge of treating minor injuries is up to date and she can deal with any accidents in a prompt manner. 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 2 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 2 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 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 2

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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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