Childminder in Brent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY296011 Inspection date 26/06/2012 Inspector Julie Biddle

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children in the London Borough of Brent. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time; of these, three may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children in the early years group on roll.

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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 secure and relaxed in the comfortable environment provided by the childminder, who satisfactorily meets their needs. The childminder has made her home safe and secure for children to explore independently, although some contents of her first aid box are out-of-date. The childminder has a developing knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and in general, activities planned are fun and challenging. However, the childminder does not use her knowledge robustly to plan activities that support children's knowledge and understanding of the world. The childminder displays appropriate awareness of self-evaluation and demonstrates her satisfactory capacity for improvement through a commitment to take her service forward to benefit children.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 check the first aid box has appropriate content to meet the needs of children. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 10/07/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the support for children to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding that help them to make sense of the world in which they live 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 a suitable understanding of the correct procedures to follow should she have any safeguarding concerns about children. The childminder has completed written risk assessments covering potential hazards in the house, the garden and on outings. These help to ensure that children are kept safe and secure while in the childminder's care. The childminder has a first aid kit in the home to help manage any accidents that children have; however, some of the contents are out-of-date so that, potentially, these may not meet children's needs. This is in breach of a specific legal requirement. The required documentation is in place, including written policies that the childminder shares with parents and that support her in her work.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops positive relationships with children's parents. There are suitable systems in place to ensure a daily, two-way flow of information through regular discussions. The childminder shares information about activities, meals and sleep routines. In addition, the childminder and parents discuss ways to support children's learning and development. Parents have completed questionnaires about the care their children receive. They comment that their children 'feel comfortable' in the care of the childminder. There are currently no children on roll who attend other settings or need support from other agencies. However, the childminder is aware of the need to work in partnership with any other settings if the need arises.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an adequate capacity to improve. She is beginning to reflect, monitor and evaluate the quality of the service that she provides. The childminder is able to identify some of her strengths and weakness and recognises the importance of continually developing her practice. She has, for example, attended local authority training and completed a recognised, childcare course. The course has developed the childminder's enthusiasm and has encouraged her to consider further training to benefit children in her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder has started to complete observations of children's achievements. Records show examples of children's creative work with some written observations. Observations show how the childminder plans for children's next steps in learning. Resources for children are easily accessible in labelled drawers and low boxes. Children play in a self-contained room with hooks for dressing-up clothes to hang on, enhancing the child centred environment. The childminder promotes appropriate equality and diversity by providing some toys that reflect other lifestyles. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children feel welcome and settle quickly. The childminder gives priority to making sure they feel safe and cared for in this friendly and secure environment. Children are able to make choices about their play and exploration. They enjoy a varied range of activities that support them to grow and develop. Children have fun as they play with musical instruments. The childminder sits at the same level as the children; they are delighted when she joins in with their play. For example, there is lots of laughter as the childminder uses the recorder to play a tune.

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and outcomes for children

Children suitably learn about staying safe. For example, on outings they are careful as they cross any roads and know how they need to hold hands with the childminder. In addition, the childminder talks to children about stranger danger. Children learn about adopting healthy lifestyles through eating healthy foods. In addition, appropriate hygiene routines, such as hand washing, are followed, which prevent the risk of cross infection. Children have suitable opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they play in the garden. They develop their physical skills as they play in the park on the large apparatus, such as a slide.

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and outcomes for children

Children receive appropriate praise for their efforts and achievements, which encourages their self-esteem. The childminder forms positive relationships with children. For example, they demonstrate through their actions and gestures that they are content and secure in her care. Children behave considerately; they are encouraged to play helpfully together and to share the toys. They follow the example of the childminder who acts as a positive role model, speaking politely and courteously to others at all times.

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and outcomes for children

Children satisfactorily develop their skills in communication and literacy by choosing from a range of age-appropriate books. Children make choices about the resources they play with; some play resources reflect diversity in the community However, she has not robustly considered how she can develop children's knowledge and understanding of the world. The childminder provides a constant commentary of the day. She uses language to encourage children to think for themselves and to consider colours and numbers. Children enjoy opportunities to use creative materials, such as pens, pencils and glue. They have fun counting the pens as they take these in and out of the box. The use of cooking activities suitably encourages children to solve problems as they roll out dough and make patterns for faces with tomatoes and cucumber. Consequently, the childminder satisfactorily supports children's skills for the future.

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and outcomes for 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 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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