Childminder, Out-of school day care in Croydon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY438268 Inspection date 18/05/2012 Inspector Denys Rasmussen

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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 in a house in South Norwood, within the London Borough of Croydon, with her two children. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom upstairs is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight; of these, two may be in the early years age group. Currently, there are two children on roll in this age group. The childminder supports children who speak English as an additional language. She is registered on the Early Years Register and 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The enthusiastic childminder provides a child-orientated environment. Children can eat, rest and play in comfort and safety. Overall, children enjoy a good variety of activities and resources which promote their learning and development successfully. The childminder is keen to improve outcomes for children and uses her self-evaluation systems well to continually improve her provision. Good relationships are fostered with parents. This enables the childminder to meet children's individual needs effectively.

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further?

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

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further?

 increase play experiences that encourage children to develop skills in manipulation, for example, clay and play dough  develop the use of outdoor areas to give opportunities for children to investigate the natural world

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the early years provision

The childminder has a secure understanding of safeguarding issues and has attended training to heighten her awareness. Her comprehensive risk assessments enable her to put measures in place to protect children. For example, safety gates restrict children's access and all hazardous substances are locked away. To ensure she has the maximum protection, she has sought advice from a fire officer about her fire prevention procedures and equipment. Comprehensive policies and procedures underpin the safe and efficient management of the childminding This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 service. The childminder effectively organises the areas of the home that she uses for minding. Children have space to move around, an area to sleep in and an interesting and varied range of play resources.

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the early years provision

The childminder reflects on her service. She has discussed her practice with parents, a more experienced childminder and staff at the children's centre. This has enabled her to improve on her practice by understanding and extending children's experiences. For example, she has increased outings to include attending story time at the library and has gained knowledge about managing children's behaviour. She is booked to attend numerous courses to increase her knowledge base, in order to improve outcomes for children. This demonstrates her capacity to develop her existing good practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of each child's background and needs. She encourages children's awareness of cultural diversity by celebrating significant festivals and cultural traditions. The environment is rich in wall displays that reflect the children attending, as well as the wider community. The childminder is careful to ensure that all children are able to participate in the full range of activities on offer. She can speak in the children's home language, which supports their communication skills well. Currently children do not attend other settings. However, the childminder is fully aware of the need to work in partnership with other agencies or settings where necessary.

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the early years provision

The childminder has fostered good relationships with the parents. She welcomes their views and suggestions and respects their wishes in regards to the care of their child. Parents are kept up-to-date with their children's progress and well- being. This is through daily discussion, shared records and a written evaluation of their child's progress in all areas of learning. Parents are happy with the service offered. They comment that their children are making 'good improvement', that their physical development is well supported and their children are now 'very creative'.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder observes the children to evaluate their interests, learning and development. This enables her to plan activities to support their progress. The environment is child orientated. There are good quality resources and equipment available which are age appropriate and meet the children's needs. Children smile and laugh often, demonstrating a warm and affectionate relationship with the childminder. Children demonstrate they feel safe and secure by approaching the childminder without hesitation and snuggling up for a cuddle. They learn to leave the premises safely when practising fire evacuation and the childminder promotes their awareness of road safety. Children benefit from the effective measures the childminder implements to ensure good standards of hygiene and reduce the potential for cross-infection. Hand washing is part of the children's normal daily This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

routine. The childminder encourages healthy lifestyles. She provides home-cooked, nutritious meals and encourages children to be active in the well-resourced garden. However, the garden is not used fully to encourage children to investigate the natural world.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate a sense of belonging. This is supported by the childminder being able to communicate with them in their home language, and by the numerous photographs of them displayed around the home. Children show concentration and problem solving skills. For example, a child turned over a xylophone he was playing with and discovered he could make a different noise by rubbing the serrated edge and trying out different angles. Children enjoy jumping in the ball pool and laugh heartily when playing football with the childminder. They have good opportunities to socialise and learn about their local community. They attend a children's centre and visit the library and local shops. Children learn to take turns with the equipment and when they visit the children's centre, they learn to share and play with others. The childminder constantly interacts with the children, promoting positive behaviour.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes language development with her attentive, conversational interaction. This is further supported by reading stories to and singing rhymes with the children. Children regularly attend a dancing club where they sing and dance to music and experiment with musical instruments. When playing in the sand, they explore texture, volume and capacity. They use their creativity during role play and when they engage in art and craft activities, such as collage and painting. However, opportunities to experience materials that encourage manipulation are not so readily available. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement. This fosters their developing self-esteem and confidence effectively. There is a good sense of fun and the childminder's commitment and enjoyment to her work is evident. 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 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 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 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 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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