Childminder in Enfield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY439147 Inspection date 20/06/2012 Inspector Marilyn Joy

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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 2012. She lives with her husband and three grown up children. The family has a dog, cat and other small pets. The house is located within walking distance of a park, shops and a library. There is access to bus and train routes. All areas of the ground floor are used for childminding and include sleeping and toilet facilities. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years; of these, three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for two children in this age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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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

Children thrive in the superb environment the childminder provides. She makes sure children's individual health, safety and welfare needs are met to a very high standard. The childminder develops highly positive partnerships with parents and these provide an excellent foundation from which children make very good progress overall in their learning and development. The childminder uses robust self-evaluation processes and ongoing training to help her reflect on her practice. She demonstrates an outstanding capacity to secure continuous improvement and maintain exceptional outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 allowing more time for young children to express their curiosity and pursue their learning without interruption.

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the early years provision

Children's safety is given the highest priority at all times. The childminder has a comprehensive understanding of safeguarding procedures and her responsibilities, and she knows what to do to protect children from harm. She uses comprehensive risk assessments for the premises and outings to help her identify potential hazards. This enables her to implement effective safety measures to keep children safe and means children can move around freely and safely. The childminder is extremely vigilant in her supervision of children while allowing them to move around freely and learn about keeping themselves safe. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is extremely skilful in her care of the children. Comprehensive documentation supports her daily practice and ensures she has all the information she needs to meet children's unique needs. She develops exemplary relationships

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the early years provision

with parents and keeps them well informed about all aspects of their child's welfare, care and learning. She implements highly effective settling in routines and gets to know each child's background and specific needs exceptionally well. Parents are extremely satisfied and feel fully involved in the care their children receive. They particularly comment on how much they appreciate the value the childminder places on recognising their individuality. She actively promotes equality and diversity, and places it at the heart of all her work. She establishes partnerships with other agencies and works with them to support children. She is fully aware of the importance of working with other settings children attend to promote continuity in their learning, although there are currently no children on roll for whom this is necessary.

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the early years provision

The childminder has high expectations for herself and the children she cares for. She rigorously evaluates her practice and is continually considering what she can do to improve outcomes for children. She is undertaking further qualifications, liaising with the local authority and gathering feedback from parents to help her sustain her outstanding practice. Children flourish in the highly supportive and inclusive environment offered. There is a fantastic array of stimulating and challenging resources and activities, which the childminder tailors to suit children's particular interests and learning needs. Their achievement and contentment is clearly attributable to the environment they are in.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely happy and settled in the childminder's care. The high quality interaction and exemplary organisation of routines helps young children gain an exceptionally strong sense of belonging. They feel safe and secure which is evident in how confident they are with the childminder. They put their arms up to be cuddled when they need reassurance and settle to sleep when tired. The childminder effectively introduces activities to help children understand about safety and safe practices. For example, she explains why they need safety equipment, how to evacuate the premises in an emergency and road safety rules. The childminder works very closely with parents to provide children with consistent messages. The childminder skilfully manages children's health to a very high standard. They develop an understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle through the childminder's excellent daily routines. She consistently encourages

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and outcomes for children

good hygiene habits, promotes healthy eating and ensures children play outdoors daily.

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and outcomes for children

Children make excellent progress in all areas of their learning and development. The childminder continuously observes children and creates a comprehensive journal of their experiences with photos and written records, which she shares with parents. The childminder uses her thorough knowledge of each child, their interests and schemas to plan activities to support progression. For example, she This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 creates reference materials with pictures and information to extend a child's interest in volcanoes and feelings cards to help him express himself. She notices when toddlers are following particular patterns in their play and creates highly innovative discovery boxes with a superb range of exciting objects to explore. She has boxes of different sizes and shapes to investigate when children are interested in putting things in and out. Even the youngest children learn to solve simple

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and outcomes for children

problems as they find out which items will fit. Children learn about different materials as they explore soil, sand and water. They paint, experiment with gloop and make cakes. They develop their hand-eye coordination as they learn to handle different tools for scooping, pouring and mark-making. The childminder is fully involved in children's play and is extremely effective at extending their learning as she introduces different ideas and information. Occasionally the childminder does not allow children enough time to investigate resources fully or independently before suggesting they move on to something else. Overall, children benefit from the highly effective support the childminder offers.

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and outcomes for children

Children flourish in all areas of their development because they experience an exceedingly good range of activities to extend and challenge them. Children's pleasure and enjoyment is evident in their happy faces and concentrated expressions. Children behave extremely well because they are motivated, interested and busy. They receive lots of praise, which boosts their confidence and, alongside clear guidance, this helps them understand what is expected. Children have excellent opportunities to learn about the world around them. They hunt for mini-beasts in the garden and use magnifying glasses to examine them more closely. They visit places of interest and explore their locality. They go to the library and socialise with others at toddler groups. They value each other's culture and find out about the different celebrations people enjoy. The childminder effectively encourages children's language and understanding effortlessly as

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and outcomes for children

children play. Young children's emerging speech is positively encouraged with a clear and widening vocabulary. Words and letter sounds are echoed and reinforced. There is a cosy area where they can look at books, share stories with the childminder and toddlers begin their understanding of technology as they make connections when pressing buttons in noisy books. The childminder naturally introduces mathematical concepts, such as counting, shapes and size. They sing songs, engage in number games and measure ingredients when cooking. Children prosper in a nurturing atmosphere where they are valued and become well equipped with the skills they need for future success. 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 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 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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