Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY263509 Inspection date 03/07/2012 Inspector Liz Caluori

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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 three school age children in Forest Hill, in the London Borough of Lewisham. The whole of the ground floor, two bedrooms and the bathroom and toilet on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age group. She currently has one child in the early years age group on roll and also cares for two children of secondary school age. There were no children present at the time of this inspection. The childminder works occasionally with an assistant. She travels to local schools to take and collect children and attends a local toddler group and childminding support group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder speaks English, Hausa, Twi and Ga and holds a teaching qualification.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children play in a welcoming, inclusive and safe environment. Records are generally maintained well. Children experience a broad range of activities covering all areas of their development and benefit from the strong focus placed on identifying their individual needs. A suitable range of toys and resources are provided and, overall, these are appropriately organised. The childminder has good procedures in place to reflect on her practice and demonstrates a strong capacity to promote continual improvement. Children benefit from the positive partnership working that takes place with parents and other professionals.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain a record of the checks carried out on aspects of the environment identified to be checked on a regular basis, indicating when and by whom they have been completed. (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 30/07/2012

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  review the organisation of resources and mark-making materials so that children can easily make their own choices in order to express their ideas.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility to protect children and has recently completed a child protection course. She retains the training materials which include up-to-date contact details for the local safeguarding board, should she need to report any concerns. Through discussion, she demonstrates a clear knowledge of the ways in which to conduct risk assessments that very specifically take into account the different abilities of the children attending. She has identified the aspects of her home and practice that need to be checked regularly, for example the smoke detector battery. However, she does not maintain the required written records of these checks. This does not impact directly on the safety of the children in her care but is a breach of the welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.

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the early years provision

The childminder actively reflects on her practice and encourages parents to contribute their views and suggestions. This helps to ensure that she continues to meet their family's needs. She involves parents fully in their children's learning by including them in setting future learning goals and informing them of proposed themes and outings. She works in close partnership with other settings providing early years education to support children's learning. This helps to ensure consistency. She regularly attends training to develop her skills, both in the school that she works in during term time and through the local authority Early Years team. This demonstrates her strong capacity to promote continual improvement. The childminder has successfully completed all recommendations set at her last inspection

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a suitable range of toys selected to promote all areas of learning. She also has a very large collection of illustrated scientific magazines, which she uses as a resource to teach children about the natural world. She also makes good use local parks and museums to extend their learning. Space and resources are currently organised to reflect the developmental stages of the children attending, all of whom are in primary school. The childminder is aware of the need to adapt the environment slightly before accepting younger children. The premises are safe and homely but the current presentation of toys and items such as mark-making resources does not invite children to select them independently.

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the early years provision

The childminder describes how she knows the children's backgrounds and needs well. She explains how she plans activities to take account of their individual learning and care needs and to acknowledge their home cultures. She explains that she uses activities and resources to help children learn about wider society. For example, she plans activities around Eid. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of promoting children's emotional health and well-being. She explains that she supports them to feel safe in her care by ensuring that they understand, and are comfortable with, the boundaries in place in her home. Children receive good support to learn about the importance of developing a social conscience. The childminder explains that they help her to recycle rubbish using the bins in her home. They also help her to gather clothing and similar items for charity bags, which they take to a local shop. Discussions around the impact of street litter and graffiti help them to respect their environment.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a very good knowledge of child development and has an extensive repertoire of interesting and imaginative activities. She considers the individual abilities and interests of the children attending when planning activities. She is skilled at organising activities to reflect the broad age and developmental range of children. She monitors children's progress through the use of observations and written reports. She uses this information to inform her planning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of how to build on children's interests to extend their learning. She describes the good imagination that children display as they dress up in costumes and play with the plastic kitchen and play food. She also shares her passion for science in the natural world through discussions and activities to look at animals, plants and weather conditions. The childminder recognises the importance of inspiring children to learn independently. She describes how she involves them in choosing and planning activities. She also explains that she helps them to develop skills, such as using reference books and information and communication technology. She has evidence of work produced by the children which illustrates their skills in using keyboards and mouse controls. These skills help to prepare them for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Appropriate arrangements are in place to promote healthy lifestyles. The childminder explains that children learn about the importance of regular hand washing, for example when coming in from the garden or after using the toilet. There are bottles of antibacterial gel and boxes of tissues in all downstairs rooms to help reduce the risk of cross-infection. The childminder describes the healthy snacks and meals which she provides, which reflect children's individual dietary requirements. In addition to regular play in the garden, the childminder also frequently takes children for long sessions in local parks. This allows them to enjoy physical games whilst benefitting from the fresh air. 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 2 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 2

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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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