Childcare on Domestic Premises, Full day care in CroydonOfsted inspection, 16 Apr 2013

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16/04/2013 31/10/2012

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early years provision

This inspection: 3 Previous inspection: 3 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 3 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 3

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This provision is satisfactory

 The childminder and her assistants use consistent and clear boundaries for children who develop a good understanding of acceptable behaviour. Older children demonstrate tolerance of younger ones and helpful attitudes to each other and the childminder  All adults know the children well. They have a 'key person' system that helps meets children's individual needs suitably overall, so all children, and especially babies, feel settled and supported in their play  The childminder has a good understanding of how to promote children's health and safety and makes sure her assistants understand their responsibilities in this regard. She has assessed the risks to her premises well and has minimised these so children play in safety.

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It is not yet good because

 not all adults engage enthusiastically with children to build on their natural curiosity and extend their play during outdoor sessions, or engage them well at mealtimes  adults do not always organise the play spaces well, so all children, including babies, can have the space and freedom to explore activities in a quieter environment.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's activities indoors and outside, and the childminder's and assistants' interaction with them  The inspector held discussions with the provider, assistants and children

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Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled relevant documents, including children's records and some policies.

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Information about the setting

The provider registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and provides childcare on domestic premises with her seven members of staff. Staff hold relevant qualifications in childcare. The property is a house situated in a residential area in Croydon. Children have use of the downstairs, which includes two playrooms and one upstairs playrooms, which is allocated for younger babies to use. Toilet provision is provided on both floors.

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Information about the setting

The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. Currently there are 20 children on roll, 14 of whom are in the early years age range. Children are able to attend before and after school and in the school holiday. The childminder closes for two weeks at Christmas.

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must:

 organise the indoor spaces more effectively, so that all children, including babies, have areas in which to relax and play quietly.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 help all adults to engage enthusiastically with children, in order to extend children's learning outdoors and to make meal times sociable occasions.

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who attend

Children's starting points and individual needs are identified by the childminder and her assistants. The 'key person' system, where each child has someone who takes special responsibility for them, makes sure that children's development and learning is documented and monitored to track their progress. The childminder has yet to implement the progress check at age two years but her assessment system covers the required information to enable her to report the necessary information to parents.

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who attend

The childminder and her assistants have an adequate knowledge of the seven areas of learning and provide a range of activities that generally capture children's interests. Children's language development is fostered throughout the day, such as through singing times. Children initiate conversations, ask questions to each other and are confident to talk to adults, ask for help and express their likes and dislikes.

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who attend

There are planned times where children focus on activities that have a learning intention that are supported by adults. There are also times where they can explore the environment for themselves, including the outdoor space. It is during these times that the childminder and assistants do not engage children's natural curiosity as well as they could. For example, when playing in the garden, children are not motivated to extend their play, as not all staff interact enthusiastically, and some staff do not interact well at mealtimes either.

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who attend

On the whole children are very happy and settled; younger children have bonded well with older children. For example, when these children arrive from school they run up to them with smiles and hold their arms up for a cuddle. Babies have a separate area upstairs in a room that has been made to meet their needs with a play space and sleeping area. This is not always used well when the youngest children are not sleeping to provide children with the space and freedom to explore activities and toys in a quieter environment. The assistant that looks after the babies in particular knows them really well and is able to identify ways of supporting their care and learning.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children show they feel very settled with the childminder and the assistants. Babies in particular feel emotionally secure, happily recognising their special person following a break away from the provision. The childminder takes into account each family's separate needs. Both the childminder and her assistants take care to ensure they obtain information from parents about likes and dislikes, and children's routines on entry. The childminder offers a school's 'wrap around care' scheme and children generally remain with her once they have started. This scheme gives them familiarity and continuity in their care and keeps family groups together.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Behaviour is good with staff reminding children how to care for each other and to keep themselves safe. Menus offer the children choice and cater for their dietary needs. These are healthy and prepared fresh on the premises with fresh ingredients. Water is on hand so children can help themselves. Children use the bathroom independently and know when they need to wash hands for hygienic purposes. Children have some choice of when play in the garden space, where they take part in suitable physical activities, such as bike riding and ball play, although this space is not always used well owing to a lack of enthusiasm from some staff.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Adults have provided some experiences that are similar to what children may take part in at school. For instance, children use the toilets independently; take part in group story times and singing times. They also learn to take turns and share and are part of a larger group. This enables children to progress appropriately in gaining skills for their eventual move to school.

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provision

The childminder understands her legal responsibilities clearly in regard to promoting children's learning, development and welfare. There are secure systems in place to help safeguard children and promote their welfare. All adults have taken part in safeguarding training and work with other agencies as required. They have appropriate policies in place to ensure they can take prompt action if they have any concerns regarding children's welfare.

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provision

This inspection was brought forward as a result of a concern raised to Ofsted. Ofsted took action by sending in a Regulatory Inspector and set an action in relation to the concern. This inspection has found that the childminder is meeting requirements and that assistants have parental permission to be in sole charge of children, as required. The childminder understands her legal responsibility to live on the premises where the childminding takes place, which she does.

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provision

Some improvements have been made since the last inspection. The childminder has recently set up a system of appraisal for her assistants to improve their practice and identify training needs. The evaluation of the provision is identifying strengths and areas for improvement to enhance children's care and progress. This process demonstrates that the childminder has the ability to drive continuous improvement.

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provision

Children's safety while at the setting is given priority by all adults. They conduct risk assessments and ensure appropriate safety equipment is in place. Children are taught to be responsible for keeping themselves safe with staff gently reminding them of rules and boundaries while they play. There is balance of learning experiences for children, including free-play and adult-led activities. Some adults do not always support children well in their learning, however, as some are less enthusiastic and do not capitalise on children's natural curiosity. The team work well together and support each other in their roles, sharing the care of children.

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provision

The childminder and assistants have positive relationships with parents. They regularly share information about children's routines and the activities they complete. When parents and carers collect their children, adults make time to discuss all relevant events. They also use a home contact book for young babies to inform parents of their children's routines. Children make progress in their development and are prepared for future learning.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

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Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY294356 Local authority Croydon Inspection number 909472 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childcare - Domestic Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 14 Number of children on roll 18

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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