Childminder in Brent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY345205 Inspection date 28/06/2012 Inspector Samantha Powis

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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 2006. She lives with one adult child and one younger child in Harlesden, in the London borough of Brent. All areas of the childminders ground floor flat are registered, with care mainly provided in the living room, with access to kitchen and bathroom facilities. There is a garden for outdoor play.

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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 Registers. She may care for a maximum of four children under eight years, three of whom may be in the early years age group. There are currently two children on roll both in the early years age group.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminders welcoming home. The childminder gives satisfactory attention to supporting children's health and safety. Sufficient information is gathered from parents to enable her to meet children's individual care needs, although they are less involved in their children's learning. She provides children with an adequate range of toys and resources, some of which encourage children's awareness of the wider world. The childminder has started to make observations as children play, however, she does not always use these effectively to help her monitor children's progress and plan for their next steps. The childminder is keen to increase her knowledge, but has not established a secure system to involve parents to help her to reflect on her own practice. This means that her capacity for continuous improvement is satisfactory.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the links between the planning, observation and assessment systems to identify children's next steps in their learning and provide well- planned, challenging activities to further extend their progress towards the early learning goals  involve parents in their child's ongoing learning and development  develop reflective practice and self-evaluation, taking into account the views of parents, to identify strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has an adequate understanding of safeguarding procedures. She is aware of possible signs and symptoms and has a written procedure to follow to help her take appropriate and prompt action should she have a concern about a child's welfare. Risk assessments are completed and the childminder makes sure children are well supervised when playing indoors or out, which helps to keep them safe. Documents are generally used effectively to support children's welfare. All are stored securely to maintain confidentiality. The childminder ensures her home is clean and welcoming for children to enter into. She uses positive routines such as removing outdoor footwear help to keep the home clean. She provides children with nutritious snacks and meals according to their individual needs to support their health.

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the early years provision

Adequate play space is available, with a sufficient range of toys set out according to children's needs. Some resources are stored in accessible drawer units, offering children choice in what they play with. Children's photographs are displayed alongside pictures of the childminder's own family help children to feel valued and included. Children enjoy some access to the garden and trips to the park to engage in activities out-of-doors. This benefits their health and increases their enjoyment as they play out in the fresh air. The childminder is developing her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. She takes into consideration children's individual preferences when offering activities. However, planning and assessment systems are not sufficiently well established to enable her to plan activities that consistently support children's individual learning needs and help them take the next step.

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes satisfactory relationships with parents. They share information about their child when they first start which helps the childminder understand their needs. Parents receive information about the service the childminder provides, including policies and procedures and registration details. There are limited opportunities for parents to share in their children's ongoing learning or contribute towards future plans for improvements. The childminder has established some links with other settings which children also attend which encourages consistency for each child. The childminder has made improvements since her last inspection that have had a positive impact on children's safety. She is keen to increase her skills and knowledge and regularly attends training sessions and seeks advice from early years professionals. However, she has not completed any formal self-evaluation to help her identify and prioritise further improvements

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the early years provision

in her practice. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and respond well to the childminder's interactions. She understands their routines, helping her to meet their care needs consistently. This helps them to feel secure. Children are developing confidence and a sense of belonging as they see their own photograph displayed on the wall. They are fascinated as they gaze at their reflection in the mirror, noticing some of their own features and those of others. Children enjoy a varied range of play activities, which are generally age-appropriate and keep them sufficiently occupied and interested. The childminder completes some basic observations of children's achievements. However, she does not link these to the Early Years Foundation Stage to help her monitor children's progress or plan activities to support each child in taking the next step.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop satisfactory skills for the future. They learn how to manage their own behaviour. The childminder is fair and consistent and encourages children to share and take turns. She ensures children receive frequent praise for their positive actions, encouraging them to behave well. Children see the simple 'house rules' displayed on the wall, reminding them of expectations and boundaries. The childminder chats to children, encouraging their language development. They enjoy access to a wide range of books and regularly visit the local library. Number puzzles support children's awareness of numerals and number order. Children enjoy access to construction toys and equipment to build and design their own models. Simple electronic toys are provided to increase children's confidence in using information and communication technology. Children enjoy making play dough and then exploring the properties of this soft material. They combine the

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and outcomes for children

flour and water learning how ingredients sometimes change when they are mixed together. A large basket of dressing up clothes offers children opportunities to engage in role play. Costumes are available that reflect many different cultures, helping children develop a respectful awareness of diversity.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and safety are adequately supported. The childminder provides a safe and secure environment and teaches children about boundaries that are there to protect them. For example, she reminds children not to climb on the chairs as they might fall and hurt themselves. They take part in practising the emergency evacuation procedures, helping them to understand what to do in an emergency. The childminder teaches children to follow effective hygiene routines to reduce germs from spreading. She talks to the children about the fruit and vegetables she is growing in the garden, and involves them in making healthy snacks such as fruit salad. This encourages children to enjoy healthy options when choosing what to eat, helping them make healthy choices for life. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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