Childminder in Islington

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY102700 Inspection date 16/07/2012 Inspector Siobhan O'Callaghan

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and two adult children. The family lives in Holloway, North London; they are close to local shops and schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has two pet dogs and a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She may provide care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time. Of these, not more than two may be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for two children in the early years age group. Both children attend on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local nursery schools to take and collect children. She attends local toddler groups and childminding support groups.

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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

The childminder provides an accessible and comfortable home environment for children. She has developed good partnerships with parents overall and is beginning to establish links with the nursery schools that children attend. Children's welfare is promoted through many successful practices including secure safeguarding procedures. All children are supported to make good progress in their learning and development as their unique needs are recognised. The childminder maintains continuous improvement; she has addressed all recommendations raised at her previous inspection. She demonstrates a strong capacity to improve which can be evidenced in her commitment to ongoing professional training.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further opportunities for parents to review their children's progress regularly and contribute to their children's learning and development assessments  develop further partnerships with other settings that children attend to support continuity in their learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has devised a broad range of policies and procedures to support her childminding provision. She demonstrates a good knowledge and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding of safeguarding children procedures. She has secure systems in place to initiate suitability checks for all adults living or working in the home. The childminder is aware of her responsibilities to work in partnership with parents and outside agencies to promote children's welfare. She organises a safe and secure home environment for children. She has developed useful risk assessment systems to monitor potential hazards in the home environment and to also manage the safe conduct of outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming child friendly home environment for children. They have good access to quality resources which are well-labelled and easily accessible. The childminder effectively promotes equality and diversity through her resources and through her positive interactions with children. Overall, she has established good partnerships with parents. She has developed valuable learning journeys for every child, although, she is yet to fully encourage parents' contributions towards these. Recent correspondence from parents demonstrates that they are happy with the care their children receive. Parents' comments include, 'I am very confident that my child's individual needs are met' and 'I am very happy with the care provided. It is both varied and stimulating for my child'. The childminder works in partnership with the local nursery school to support the continuity of care for children. However, she is yet to fully develop these links to

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the early years provision

also support the continuity of children's learning experiences.

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the early years provision

The childminder has effective self-evaluation systems in place to drive continuous improvement. She has continued to develop her professional practice through attending numerous ongoing training courses. These have supported her to develop her observation and planning systems so that these are duly focused on promoting all aspects of children's learning. She has also ensured that her first aid training and food handling certificates are kept up-to-date. Overall, the childminder demonstrates a positive approach to working in partnership with all relevant professionals. This in turn supports her in promoting improved quality outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of how young children learn. She plans a balance of both adult-led and free play experiences to support their learning. Children enjoy opportunities to play both inside and out of doors. The childminder ensures that activities are geared towards the six areas of learning. Consequently children are supported to make successful progress in all areas of learning. The childminder regularly visits the local toddler groups, parks and farm to extend children's learning experiences. She has developed supportive planning and observation systems. She records children's achievements and uses this information to plan for their future learning. Children are becoming active learners as they confidently access their environment and make choices about their play. They benefit from a good range of quality resources which are safe and suitable for purpose. 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 happy and settled, they demonstrate that they feel secure in the childminder's care. They confidently interact with her and make their wishes known. For example, they inform the childminder that they would like to play with the puzzles. The childminder skilfully manages this activity to extend children's language as she encourages them to talk about the different things they can see. Children excitedly show off their skills as they successfully discuss that they can see a violin, xylophone and zebra. They delight in playing board games which support their problem solving skills. Children's creative development is supported through a broad range of experiences including exploring musical instruments. They play purposefully within their role play and especially enjoy the childminder's participation within these experiences. The childminder effectively develops children's physical skills. For example, she ensures that they have daily

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and outcomes for children

opportunities to be active either out in the garden or at the local park. The childminder does not drive therefore; children are encouraged to walk to and from nursery. They are also encouraged to walk to all local amenities. Children's knowledge and understanding of the world is promoted through many practical and fun experiences. For example, visits to the local farm enhance children's understanding of animals and where certain foods come from. Children are confident to express that cows produce milk and that chickens lay eggs; whilst bees produce honey.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder gives due focus to children's safety and promotes their good health within her provision. She role models positive hygiene practices and keeps her home and resources clean and safe for children. The childminder has written a policy regarding the management of the family pets which she shares with parents. The rule is that children never have unsupervised access with the animals. The childminder works in partnership with parents to provide healthy snacks and meals for children. She supports them to learn safe practices as she teaches them how to manage resources safely. She also conducts regular emergency evacuation drills to support the children's understanding of keeping safe. The childminder is a positive role model to the children; she is calm and patient and always listens to what they have to say. The impact is that children are polite and respectful. It is evident that children have developed secure and trusting relationships with her.

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and outcomes for children

She values their home backgrounds and their unique personalities. Overall, children are developing many valuable skills which help to set secure foundations for their future learning. 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 2 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 2 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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