Childminder in EnfieldOfsted inspection, 10 May 2013

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10/05/2013 05/08/2009

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 2 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 1 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder prioritises the well-being of all children in her care. They are very content and show much interest in the learning experiences on offer.  The childminder has excellent safeguarding procedures in place. She is vigilant regarding children's safety and encourages them to keep themselves safe.  The childminder interacts effectively with children. She follows up their interests in order to encourage their learning through play.  The childminder liaises closely with parents to help her cater appropriately for children's individual care needs.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder is not always proactive in encouraging parents to support their children's learning at home.

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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 the childminder and children as they participated in play activities.  The inspector viewed the childminder's documentation.  The inspector talked with the childminder.  The inspector took parents' views into account.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2004. She lives with her family in a house in Bush Hill Park, within the London Borough of Enfield. The whole of the house is used for childminding, although children are generally cared for in the downstairs rooms. There is a secure back garden for outdoor play. The family has two cats. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Currently she is minding seven children, of whom four are in the early years age group. The childminder is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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

 develop further the partnership with parents to encourage them to be more active in supporting their children's learning at home.

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who attend

The childminder meets children's needs effectively by interacting enthusiastically with them during play, thereby promoting their learning. She encourages children to become active learners by planning activities related to their interests, for example, helping them to organise a 'tea party' using play food and equipment. Children respond with enthusiasm and become very absorbed in their play. The childminder extends children's learning through talk and demonstration, for instance, explaining how to use a teapot to pour a cup of tea. Children listen and watch with interest, learning to focus on their chosen task.

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who attend

The childminder enhances children's enjoyment through her participation. She continually talks to children so that they hear words used in different contexts and begin to use spoken language themselves. She speaks clearly and this helps children to listen and copy. She helps children learn new words by telling them the names of unfamiliar objects and figures. In this way she encourages children to gain self-confidence in the use of language. She builds on this by sharing books with children, reading stories and talking about pictures to help them learn about written forms of communication.

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who attend

The childminder is aware of children's developmental needs and sets up activities relevant to these, for instance, making a treasure basket for younger children to investigate. She encourages children to become independent learners by supporting them in their exploration. For example, she allows children to take the lead in their play but makes the most of opportunities to introduce other activities to reinforce their learning. For instance, children learn about arranging and positioning objects in role play situations when introduced to a 'school bus'. They find out how to get the bus to make sounds and music as well as being introduced to language, such as 'at the front'.

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who attend

Children develop good manipulative skills as they handle different objects and tools, for instance when young children investigate a collection of play foods. Older children are given opportunities to learn more about letters and numbers through the use of work sheets and games. They enjoy creative activities, such as drawing and painting. Children benefit from the many outings organised by the childminder, for instance, a visit to a toy museum and fire station. In these ways the childminder supports children to develop useful key skills for their future learning and at school.

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who attend

The childminder encourages children to enjoy outdoor play, both in the garden and the park. They also develop their coordination by learning to move and balance in different ways at a soft play facility. The childminder takes children to play groups so that they have the chance to mix with other children and try out alternative play activities, for example, playing in a large sand pit. She encourages an awareness of diversity by inviting children to talk about their own family backgrounds. In this way they find out about different cultures and religions. Children learn about disability when playing with different play figures, such as a person in a wheelchair.

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

The childminder has created a highly stimulating play environment in her home. Children can easily make choices because the resources are arranged in containers around the room, each one having a large picture to show what is stored inside. Children especially enjoy playing at the low table where they can set up their own activities. The childminder is adept at helping children to feel comfortable in their surroundings. She has a gentle, flexible approach and spends her time involved with the children. She affirms children's choices by showing interest and excitement herself at the play possibilities. Consequently children are extremely well settled and explore with great interest. Their self-esteem is boosted through much praise from the childminder and this gives them the confidence to explore further.

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

Children are extremely well behaved and responsive to the childminder. They are very attentive to her suggestions and comply with her instructions. They learn to make a positive contribution to the group by keeping the play areas tidy. They get on well with each other and play harmoniously as a group. Children feel very secure in the setting. They develop exceptionally close relationships with the childminder. She continually searches out interesting play activities to keep them busy and happy. She is particularly skilled at helping children to develop a sense of belonging by making connections with their home lives, for instance, talking to them about collecting sisters and brothers from school when playing with the school bus.

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

The childminder is tremendously effective in supporting children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe and healthy. She is vigilant about safety issues and talks with children about how to keep safe in different situations. Children learn to manage risks when playing on outdoor equipment, such as a trampoline. The childminder liaises with parents regarding the contents of children's packed lunches. When cooking dinners she takes into account children's likes and dislikes so that she can produce nutritious meals which children enjoy. She informs parents about what children have eaten so that they are reassured their children are eating well.

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

The childminder encourages children to adopt healthy lifestyles and good hygiene practices. She is very strict about how she changes children's nappies so that she minimises the possibility of cross infection. She ensures children have a rest when necessary to avoid becoming overtired. She is extremely sensitive in her approach, helping children to form close attachments with her, and others, so that they develop high levels of personal independence. She maintains a calm atmosphere where children can approach her with confidence and be assured of a caring and supportive response.

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provision

The childminder's documentation is extremely well organised, professionally presented and reader-friendly. Consequently, it offers clear information about her policies and procedures. She has excellent systems in place to promote the safeguarding of all children. Her risk assessments are set out very clearly in writing, showing the potential risks to children and the action taken to minimise these. She organises evacuation practices fortnightly, noting any difficulties arising so that she can make sure these are dealt with promptly. Children are aware of the marked 'muster point' in the kitchen and know exactly what to do in the event of an emergency.

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provision

The childminder is fully aware of data protection issues. She makes sure all adult members of the family are vetted. She regularly updates her training in child protection and has collected information about child protection issues, along with useful contacts, so that she can respond appropriately to any concerns. She prioritises children's safety and supervises them closely at all times. Her records relating to children's health and safety are all well maintained. She is particularly attentive to matters of health and hygiene in the home and this helps to keep children healthy.

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provision

The childminder has an effective system of observational assessment in place. This enables her to focus her planning around children's individual learning needs. She plans a wide range of interesting learning experiences based on themes, for example, textures or movement. She observes children as they take part in activities, using her written notes to work out their next steps of learning. She has begun to summarise children's stages of development on summary sheets, including one specifically for the developmental check for two-year-old children. However, she is not yet sharing her targets for individual children with parents so that they have specific ideas on how to support children's learning at home.

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provision

The childminder has set up effective lines of communication with parents, which keep them up to date with events each day. She regularly sends texts to parents throughout the day and completes a written daily dairy to make sure parents receive all the information they need at the end of the day. Parents appreciate this regular feedback. The childminder makes good use of questionnaires to seek parents' views on her provision for their children. Parents comment favourably on the childminder's friendly and professional approach, her healthy meals and interesting outings. Occasionally they offer suggestions for activities of special interest to their own children. This helps the childminder to consider different ideas when reflecting on her provision.

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provision

The childminder is keen to continually develop her practice. She has attended training to help her implement the recent changes in the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. This has resulted in her trying out new systems to better support children in their learning and development. She reflects in writing on the different aspects of her provision and has highlighted points for further improvement, for example, developing the educational provision for older children to help them extend their skills in literacy and mathematics. She seeks support and advice from other early years professionals. As a result she is able to keep working successfully towards improving outcomes for all children.

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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 EY282351 Local authority Enfield Inspection number 847241 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

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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

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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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