Childminder in Lewisham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 128654 Inspection date 21/06/2012 Inspector Angela Ramsey

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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 has been registered since December 1992. She lives with her husband and adult son in a three bedroom ground floor flat in the London Borough of Lewisham. Children have use of the living room, hallway and one of the bedrooms is used as a sleep room. The garden is also used.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years; of these, three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for five children in the early years age group who attend at different times. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 meets children's individual needs well; she supports their learning by providing a good range of activities and experiences. As a result of this children are making good progress in their learning and development. Most records are in place and the childminder has developed good partnerships with parents, resulting in information being shared and children receiving continuity of their home routines. The childminder views her development as important and seeks the views of parents but she has not implemented formal systems for reviewing her practice. She makes good use of the internet to develop her knowledge and skills and has various plans in place to continuously improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 complete regular evacuation drills with the children and record the details in a log book, noting any issues and how these were resolved  introduce a system for the self-evaluation and monitoring of the service so that areas for improvement can be clearly prioritised to further improve outcomes for children

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the early years provision

Since the last inspection the childminder has increased her knowledge of safeguarding and child protection issues. She has a good awareness of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures to follow and of who to contact if concerns arise. Children are supervised closely and the childminder uses risk assessments effectively to monitor and review safety issues in her home and on outings. For example, younger children are safely harnessed in their buggies and older children are aware that when walking they must remain in the childminder's sight at all times. The childminder makes good use of safety items, such as stair gates, socket covers and smoke alarms to help ensure a safe and secure environment. However, the childminder does not carry out regular fire drills with the children so that they are familiar with the procedures. All of the required parental consents have been

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the early years provision

obtained so the childminder is aware of parent's wishes.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents and becomes familiar with each child's needs, such as their likes and dislikes, food preferences and sleep routines. Equality and diversity are promoted through the use of books, dolls and puzzles. The childminder has established good partnerships with parents. She obtains information about each child's home routines when children first start with her to help them settle quickly. She keeps parents fully informed of their child's day through daily conversations and by sharing information of their children's progress and development. She also shares her policies and procedures so that they understand the day-to-day operation of her service. Some of the children in the childminder's care attend other settings and the childminder shares relevant information with practitioners and with parents to ensure continuity and coherence. The childminder states that she has been registered for a number of

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the early years provision

years and still continues to enjoy her work. She is keen to develop her skills further and attend relevant training. She seeks feedback from parents to help her monitor the effectiveness of her provision and is generally aware of her strengths and weaknesses; however, self-evaluation systems are not embedded to help her target areas for development.

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and outcomes for children

Children play well together and have formed a good relationship with the childminder. The childminder makes observations of children's progress and uses these to provide a varied range of experiences and learning opportunities that stimulate and challenge their knowledge and understanding. For example, in her garden children are able to practise their physical skills as they steer ride on toys, jump on the trampoline and throw, catch and kick balls. There are also opportunities for children to develop their early writing skills as they use chalk. Children can also use their imagination as they engage in pretend play in the play house. The childminder organises outings to local childminding groups and visits to the homes of other childminders which develops children's social skills. Children are developing a good range of skills which they will use in the future as they play and explore. Construction toys provide children with the opportunity to be creative

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and outcomes for children

and problem solve. Books encourage children's language skills as the older children read to the younger children. Children are also able to recognise letters of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 alphabet and numbers.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder successfully supports children's healthy lifestyles and their well- being. She implements positive hygiene routines to prevent the spread of infection and promote children's good health. For example, she follows good nappy changing procedures. She enables children to gain a good understanding of the importance of hand washing through routine practice, such as washing hands before and after eating their meals. She prepares healthy and nutritious home cooked meals and snacks. This helps children learn about healthy eating. Children's behaviour is good. The childminder rewards positive behaviour by praising the children. Everyday experiences and routines help children to acquire important skills. For example, meal times are sociable and children are encouraged to feed themselves. Children are also encouraged to put on their coats and shoes themselves though help is available should they need it.

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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 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 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 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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