Childminder in Harrow

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY440842 Inspection date 28/05/2012 Inspector Katie Dempster

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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 was registered in 2011. She co-minds with two other registered childminders from premises in North Harrow, in the London Borough of Harrow. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The premises are accessible to those with limited mobility.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. When working alone, she may care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of these, three may be in the early years age range. When working with her co-minders, they may care for a maximum of 12 children under eight years at any one time, of these, seven may be in the early years age range. There are currently ten children on role. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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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 recognises each child as an individual, which supports her in successfully promoting all aspects of children's welfare, learning and development. Exceptional partnerships with parents and the co-minders ensure children's individual needs are thoroughly met. Links with others are less developed to ensure consistency of care and learning for children attending other early years provision. The excellent organisation of the premises and systems for observations, assessment and planning contributes significantly to children's learning and development and consequently they make excellent progress. The capacity for sustained improvement is outstanding as the childminder continually assesses her practice in all areas and strives for further improvement by attending ongoing training and furthering her professional development.

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further?

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

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further?

 working together with other professionals, to identify needs and provide the best learning opportunities for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Comprehensive policies and procedures are implemented consistently and robustly to ensure that children are protected and safeguarded at all times. The childminder has received recent safeguarding training and has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of how to recognise and report any concerns she may have. Much has been implemented to ensure children's safety including many safety precautions around the environment and highly detailed and regularly reviewed risk assessments. This enables independence while protecting children from risk.

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the early years provision

Children have excellent opportunities to initiate their own learning through the enabling environment. The childminder encourages children to explore and use resources according to their own imagination. The well planned and resourced outdoor area enables children to have free-flow access to the outdoors all year. Children also have access to a dedicated, extremely well-resourced play room. The childminder and co-minders are very well deployed to enable children to choose what and where they want to play. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the individuality of the children in her care and gathers much information prior to children starting. She provides a meaningful range of activities to promote a positive view of the world and to help children understand differences and similarities. For example, children celebrate Chinese New Year together. They experiment with noodles and make blossom trees using hand

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the early years provision

The childminder has forged outstanding partnerships with parents. She provides parents with extensive information about her practice and their children's development. This is done through an online information sharing website which allows the childminder and her co-minders to upload a variety of information in a secure fashion. This gives parents access to a wealth of information about their child's experience with the childminder. For example, photographs, children's learning journeys, individual plans and various other information. The childminder regularly seeks parents' views and asks for feedback on every aspect of the childminding service. This allows her to understand the needs and views of parents. Comments are highly positive, highlighting the hard work and effort put in by the childminder as well as how their children have warmed to her so quickly.

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the early years provision

Whilst there are established links within the childminding setting and other settings the children attend, the childminder has not yet fully explored this area of her practice herself. She has however, highlighted this as an area for development. The childminder is highly reflective and completes a meticulous process of self- evaluation. She evaluates every aspect of her practice, linked to the outcomes for children. This allows her to identify her strengths and areas for development which she does accurately, resulting in outstanding practice. She is dedicated to continual improvement and providing high quality outcomes for all children in her care and seeks and attends regular training opportunities. For example, the childminder regularly attends training sessions and uses early year's related literature for inspiration and to update her knowledge. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children flourish in this outstanding childminding setting. They benefit greatly from the childminder's knowledge of child development. She makes regular observations of children's learning. The childminder uses the information gained to help her plan experiences for the children that stimulate their interest and curiosity and support their growing development. There is a superb balance of adult led and child- initiated play. The childminder is skilful in allowing children to direct how each of the activities work whilst still capturing the learning intention. This results in children making rapid gains in their learning and outstanding progress with developing their future skills. The childminder is skilful in using open ended, well framed questioning to engage children's thinking and communication skills. Furthermore, weekly themes allow the childminder to consolidate children's learning such as during a theme based on a popular children's book about

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and outcomes for children

caterpillars. Children explore lifecycles, make their own cocoons and butterflies, and talk about healthy eating. During these activities, children gain knowledge and understanding of the world, use their creative skills and develop an understanding about healthy lifestyles. Children's learning continues outdoors as they have access to resources from each area of learning. For example, they have fun exploring with spaghetti in the water tray. They have access to drawing and mark making, a wealth of role play resources and much equipment to support their physical development.

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and outcomes for children

Children show a strong sense of security and have excellent relationships with the childminder who they readily turn to for support. Older children confidently communicate their thoughts and younger children babble away, with the childminder giving meaning to their utterances and acknowledging their developing speech.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a superb understanding of safety. This is a result of the interesting and age appropriate activities as well as opportunities for discussion that arise during play. For example, children use the play kitchen and tell the childminder the oven is hot. She suggests they use the oven gloves and talks to the children about how the hot oven is dangerous. Planned activities including making a road in the garden to practise the green cross code, help children to learn about safety outside the setting. Children are extremely happy and their behaviour is exemplary. Children play harmoniously together as they share toys and take turns. They are very confident and help take responsibility for their environment as they help tidy toys away and thoroughly enjoy cleaning the equipment with water spray and sponges. They develop an understanding of a healthy lifestyle through regular opportunities for exercise and play in the fresh air and through the provision of a

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and outcomes for children

healthy, varied diet. They wash their hands as part of the daily routine and many visual aids around the room further support children's awareness. All children are extremely content and settled because their individual, health, physical and dietary needs are met to a very high standard. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 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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