Home Childcarer in Merton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY433031 Inspection date 16/05/2012 Inspector Anne Archer

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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 was registered in 2011 and co-minds in her own home with a member of her family. There is also an assistant. She lives with her mother and an adult sister and brother in a Victorian house in the centre of Northampton. The basement and the ground floor of the house are used for childminding. There is a safely enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a budgerigar.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of three children in this age range when working alone, six children when working with her co-minder and nine children when both childminders are working with their assistant. There are currently 16 children in the early years age group on roll. The childminder registered on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register and is able to care for a maximum of 18 children in this age range when working with her co-minder and an assistant. There are currently six children in this age range on roll.

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Description of the childminding

She hold a relevant level 3 qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 progress well in their development and learning and their welfare is very effectively promoted. Excellent safeguarding systems are in place and partnerships with parents are particularly strong. The childminder gets to know the children well and she and her co-minder meet their individual needs successfully overall. Ongoing reflective practice and self-evaluation mean that strengths and areas for development are identified promptly and effective action is taken to bring about improvement. As a result, the childminder's capacity to maintain continuous improvement is good.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance outdoor play opportunities to support children in all areas of their learning  use established links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage more effectively to ensure continuity and coherence of learning.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is extremely well safeguarded because the childminder has a thorough understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 keeping children safe. Her knowledge of potential concerns and her understanding of how to deal with them should they arise is excellent. Secure procedures are in place to ensure children's safety within her home. Household members are checked for suitability to be with children and she seeks identification from any visitors or adults collecting children on behalf of parents. The childminder reviews and updates policies and procedures regularly to ensure they continue to reflect her developing practice and she shares them with parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder's premises are suitable for purpose and she strives to maintain a stimulating and supportive environment where children develop at their own pace. Resources are plentiful, suitable and safe and children can independently access those appropriate to their stage of development. She periodically risk assesses anything that children may come into contact with and records the actions she takes to ensure their safety. Visual checks throughout the day ensure that potential hazards are minimised. Fire detection and control equipment is kept in working order and the emergency evacuation procedure is regularly practised by all of the children to eliminate or plan for any issues that may arise.

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the early years provision

The effectiveness with which the childminder and her co-minder promote equality and diversity is good. Children learn to respect each other's similarities and differences through stories and a range of activities. The childminder is familiar with each child's welfare and learning needs and liaises closely with parents so that she knows about any changes that may need to be implemented to support the child. As a result of this close partnership, her engagement with parents is outstanding. Flexible settling-in sessions are offered so that when children are left they settle quickly. Parents are provided with both verbal and written updates about their child's welfare and progress towards the early learning goals ensuring they are kept well informed of their child's achievements. In addition, they are invited to contribute to their child's progress records and do so. Parents present at the inspection are grateful they have found someone who cares for their children

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the early years provision

Partnerships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage, although established, do not include an effective way of exchanging information about children's learning to ensure continuity and coherence. The childminder has a clear vision for the future of her provision. She and her co-minder reflect daily on their practice, share information and research and seek out training to develop the childminding provision.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and display a strong sense of belonging. They are eager to take part in activities and behave very well. Choice of activities reflects their interests and individual learning needs and enables them to progress well. The childminder and her co-minder make observations of the children at play and use the information to provide activities they know the children will enjoy and benefit from. Children look forward to the frequent opportunities to play outside. They play on the apparatus and toys in the garden and enjoy visits to several parks in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the area. They search for bugs in the soil and their physical development is well supported as they learn to use tools such as garden trowels correctly. However, not all areas of learning are fully supported in the outdoor area, which is, for several children, where they most enjoy being.

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and outcomes for children

Children know how to keep themselves safe because the childminder and her co- minder talk to the children about situations as they develop. For example, as they prepare to go into the garden they are reminded how to safely negotiate the steps. When in the car they know they must sit in their safety seats until invited to get out of the car and when out walking they must stay close to the adults and only cross a road when it is safe to do so. Effective steps are taken to promote children's health and well-being. There are clear procedures to care for children who have an accident or become ill. Parents are made aware of exclusion periods to minimise the spread of infection and suitable practices are established for when they provide personal care.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is familiar with each child's dietary needs and provides healthy, nutritious meals and snacks. For example, all the children clear their plate when they have chicken curry and rice with a piece of naan bread. Children are encouraged to take regular drinks of water to make sure they remain hydrated and also enjoy a drink of milk with their morning and afternoon snack. Children behave well because behaviour management is consistent and appropriate. The childminder and her co-minder take account of each child's level of maturity and understanding, ensuring that house rules and boundaries are fair and manageable. Children enjoy sitting together to listen to a story, sing songs and rhymes or just chat with their carers.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop skills for the future as they play and work alongside each other often successfully understanding the need to co-operate and resolve situations for themselves. Older children enjoy playing with and supporting the younger ones, fetching toys they think they may like to play with. They also play well independently as they seek out different toys and materials to develop their play. 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 2 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 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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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