Childminder in Islington

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 402691 Inspection date 22/06/2012 Inspector Alexandra Morgan

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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 2001. She lives in Highbury in the London Borough of Islington. The whole of the house is used for childminding. The garden is not used for outside play, however she visits the nearby park daily. The childminder keeps caged birds as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. The childminder is registered to provide overnight care for no more than two children under eight. When working with an assistant, the childminder may care for no more than 12 children under eight years, of whom no more than six may be in the early years age range. When working with two assistants, she may care for no more than 14 children under eight years, of whom no more than nine may be in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

There are currently six children on roll. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder employs two assistants and all hold relevant early years qualifications. The childminder and one assistant hold Qualified Teacher Status.

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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's welfare, learning and development needs are superbly met by the experienced, caring and committed childminder and her assistants. Overall, children thrive through a planned range of stimulating and exciting play experiences in both the indoor and outdoor environments. The childminder and her assistants have extensive knowledge of the children and tailor the provision to meet individual needs. She works highly effectively in partnership with parents, children and other early years providers. Highly reflective systems for reviewing and evaluating the provision enable her to maintain continuous improvements to further enhance 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?

 extending the range of information, communication and technology resources to further challenge older children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Arrangements for safeguarding children are excellent as the childminder and her assistants have comprehensive knowledge of local safeguarding procedures. Well- organised and highly effective written policies on safeguarding support their knowledge and are available to parents. Children are kept exceptionally safe whilst in the childminder's care because she and her assistants are very vigilant and supervise the children extremely well. Children display a good understanding of safety issues as they follow adults' clear directions. Children are also further well protected because the childminder keeps comprehensive records including risk assessments, accident, medication and attendance records.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises the environment extremely well. Her home affords plenty of clear floor space for children to play in. Although the garden is not used, the children have daily access to the neighbouring park. There is an ample range of exciting resources readily available to the children that enable them to thrive and make excellent progress in their learning and development. The childminder and her assistants are highly effective in ensuring that all children are fully included and integrated. They ensure that their specific needs are fully met through impressively organised practices and procedures. The childminder demonstrates good awareness of her strengths and areas for further development. She and her assistants continue to look for ways to improve the provision whereby ambitious and appropriate targets are identified and set. The recommendation from the previous inspection in respect of first aid has been successfully

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the early years provision

The childminder forms extremely close working relationships with parents and carers. She obtains detailed information about each child, such as their likes and dislikes, as well as their dietary and personal care needs. This means that parents' wishes and children's individual needs are met extremely well. A two-way flow of information means that parents, childminder and assistants are kept very well informed about every aspect of the child's achievement, well-being and development. The childminder is committed to working very effectively in partnership with others in order to deliver outstanding outcomes for children. She closely liaises with other provisions and professionals involved with the children, thereby further enhancing their welfare and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children have superb opportunities to play and learn through a varied range of rich and stimulating experiences. The childminder and her assistants are highly knowledgeable about the Early Years Foundation Stage and use this very well to support children in their learning. This means that children are able to thrive and make excellent progress towards identified learning targets. The children are extremely well settled and they thoroughly enjoy taking part in an extensive range This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of dynamic and stimulating activities, both indoors and outdoors. They have abundant opportunities to express themselves creatively and through imaginative play. Children successfully develop their spoken language through interaction, conversation and responding to appropriate questions posed by the childminder and her assistants. Children develop excellent understanding that text carries

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and outcomes for children

meaning through the highly effective use of books, labels and signs. They have ample opportunities to successfully develop their creative skills through a wealth of materials, for example, paints, crayons and pencils. Children have good access to information, communication and technology, for example, through the use of push-button and battery operated toys. However, these resources pose limiting challenges for older children. Nonetheless, children acquire very good skills for their future lives.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder and her assistants undertake systematic and spontaneous observations that they use highly effectively to inform planning. This means that the children's individual needs and interests are very successfully met through a significant range of experiences. The childminder and her assistants have an exceptional knowledge of each of the children for whom they are responsible. They talk in detail about what they can do and how they plan to move them on to their next identified stage of development. Thorough assessment records are in place within the children's learning journals. These records clearly identify children's starting points and future learning, illustrated by a wealth of photographic evidence. The intuitive ability of the childminder and her assistants to positively engage in everything the children say and do enables them to feel valued. This further encourages children to become active and inquisitive learners. Regular

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and outcomes for children

outings to the local park and ecology centre provide many opportunities for the children to find out about and identify features in their local community and the wider world. Children show a clear sense of security and feel very safe within the childminder's home. Children are gaining an excellent understanding of the importance of following good hygiene practices as they take their lead from the adults. They enjoy fresh air, exercise and practise yoga on a daily basis. Children benefit from the nutritious and wholesome menu which takes into account their individual dietary needs and requirements. Children behave exceptionally well because the childminder and her assistants give clear explanations and set highly appropriate boundaries. They are developing respect for themselves and others and are learning about other cultures and beliefs. This is because the childminder and her assistants make exceptional use of cultural celebrations and festivals to

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and outcomes for children

introduce new ideas and promote positive attitudes to diversity and difference within the children. 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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