Childminder in Southwark

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 25/10/2013 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 3 Previous inspection: Not Applicable 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 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 3

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This provision is satisfactory

 Children are happy and settled in their environment. They have developed strong bonds with the childminder and her assistant, which contribute to their confidence.  Strong partnership with parents means the childminder is able to meet the needs of the children and help them to make good progress in their learning.  Children are cared for in a setting that is well equipped and child centred. This supports children's independent skills and sense of belonging.  All adults working with the children have an understanding of the safeguarding procedures, which means they are aware of how to keep children safe if they have a concern.

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It is not yet good because

 The childminder is in breach of one of the safeguarding and welfare requirements relating to ratios and is caring for more children than the requirements allow.  There are fewer activities and resources to increase children's knowledge and understanding of the diverse world in which they live to reflect people's similarities and differences.

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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 involved in activities indoors and outdoors.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder and her assistant at appropriate times throughout the observations.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at a selection of document including children's records, learning journals, policies, certificates and the childminder's self-evaluation.  The views of parent were taken from questionnaires.  The inspector and childminder's assistant conducted a tour of the premises.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2013 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and one early years age range child in the London Borough of Southwark close to shops, schools, parks and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's home is available for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play and playhouse at the end of the garden. There are nine children on roll in the early years age group. The childminder works with an assistant and they regularly attends the local children's groups and takes children to the local parks. The childminder holds a level 3 childcare qualification.

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must:

 ensure that the maximum number of children being cared for in the early years age range, including the childminder's own child, does not exceed six when working with an assistant.

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

 increase the range of activities and resources available to enhance children's knowledge and understanding of the diverse world in which they live.

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who attend

From the start the childminder, and her assistant, use a well-planned registration process to gather information from parents. This helps to build positive relationships with parents, encouraging them to share information about their children's needs, interests and skills. Along with 'getting to know me' information, the childminder observes and carries out on- entry assessment on children. She uses this information to plan engaging activities, supporting children's individual needs effectively. This encourages children to settle quickly and take a keen interest in their learning. The childminder keeps parents well informed about their children's progress. She talks to parents each day to ensure parents have up- to-date information about their children's experiences. The childminder makes ongoing informative assessments and uses a childcare document to evaluate each child's stage of development and plan the next steps in their learning. Parents are encouraged to share

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who attend

information of achievements from home and to be actively involved in extending their children's learning. For example, they share a child's favourite storybook between the home and the setting to support children's continuity in their learning.

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who attend

The childminder provides children with a varied and exciting range of learning opportunities. Children can move freely between the playhouse and garden and this means that children widen their experiences and grow in confidence. The childminder values children's contributions as she puts their artwork and photographs of the children participating in activities on display. Consequently, this helps children to feel valued as individuals, promotes their self-esteem and reminds them of what they have experienced. This lays the foundations for children to acquire the skills, attitudes and dispositions for the next stage of their learning.

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who attend

The childminder supports children's growing vocabulary through reading stories. Children listen intently as the childminder uses the pictures to support children's understanding of words. Children join in by repeating words, and finishing the end of phrases, saying what happens next. They learn new words such as jellyfish, octopus and catfish. Children's vocabulary and imaginative skills are further extended as they join in action rhymes and songs. For example, children pretend to be different types of sleeping animals that lie still, wake up and jump like frogs, fly like birds or growl like tigers. The adults praise children for being very good 'animals' and talk through what the children are doing, roaring loudly, flying fast and jumping quickly. This also supports children learning to speak English as an additional language to develop their use of words in English.

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who attend

Children enjoy a wide range of activities that develop their understanding of the natural environment, support their creativity and allow them to express what they have seen and learnt. For example, children use a range of materials such as twigs, leaves and fur to make baby owls in a nest, and big brown bears following on from well-known stories. This encourages children to develop a love of books.

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who attend

The childminder's garden is organised so that children can develop their physical skills well, through climbing, using wheeled toys and gardening. Children make up their own games such as using fishing nets to catch falling leaves. This helps them to develop good hand and eye coordination skills. Children have good opportunities to develop their early mathematical skills. Children enjoy filling containers with sand, creating patterns and making shapes with their hands during action rhymes. Children's pre-writing skills are encouraged as they learnt to handle different tools. Children make marks on the outdoor walls with chalks, take part in painting and mould dough using rolling pins and cutters.

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

Children are settled and confidently approach both adults for support indicating trusting relationships are built. The adults listen to the children, using polite language, responding well to children's interests, requests and making the children their priority. The childminder and her assistant demonstrate a sound understanding of how to manage unwanted behaviour. Small group activities are used well to help children to get to know each other, learn to share and take turns.Their calm and sensitive manner, and the use of explanations and positive praise help children to learn right from wrong and supports children's understanding of appropriate behaviour boundaries.

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

Children use a wide range of toys, resources and play materials that are stored at child height. This promotes children's independence and allows them to initiate their own play. Additionally, children's artwork is displayed in the home enabling them to develop a strong sense of pride and achievement. The childminder is beginning to help children develop awareness about other cultures and people with different abilities through books, pictures and posters that reflect positive images. However, there are fewer resources provided in the day-to-day activities for children to incorporate in their play. The organisation of the premises and resources is effective in helping to create a safe and secure environment. Children are fully supervised and in sight of either the childminder or her assistant at all times inside and outdoors and this enhances their safety. The childminder has a clear evacuation plan in place and carries out monthly fire drills with the children. This ensures

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

children know what to do in an emergency.

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

The childminder suitably promotes children's health. Children have direct access from the playhouse into the garden. This means that they can enjoy moving freely from indoor to outdoor play areas every day, enjoying the fresh air and getting plenty of exercise. Children practise their physical skills as they manoeuvre wheeled toys and use shovels to dig in the sand. Children are beginning to learn to manage their own personal needs and develop self-care skills from a very young age. This is because both adults assist children to wash their hands at appropriate times throughout the day. The childminder provides children with a balanced and nutritious range of food that helps them to develop good eating habits. These include pasta dishes, fresh fruits and vegetables, alongside a vegetarian alternative. Fresh drinking water is readily available and children are offered regular drinks to ensure they do not become thirsty.

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

An inviting, well-equipped and welcoming environment promotes and supports a positive attitude to children's learning and development overall. In addition, this helps children to acquire the skills and attitudes to prepare them for their next stage of learning and ultimately school.

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provision

The childminder generally demonstrates a sound understanding of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, she is not meeting the required ratios as once a week she is exceeding the maximum number of children she can care for in the early years age range when working with an assistant. This is a breach of the safeguarding and welfare requirement. However, her practice is sound and this does not have an adverse affect on the children's learning.

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provision

Children's well-being is safeguarded because the childminder and her assistant have a sound understanding of child protection issues and the safeguarding procedures. The childminder, together with her assistant, have implemented a range of written policies that are shared with parents and underpin their practice. The childminder maintains relevant documentation for the safe and efficient management of the setting and to ensure the needs of children are met. The childminder and her assistant have both attended an approved local authority approved childminding training course and hold current paediatric first aid certificates. This ensures that all adults working with children have the necessary skills and a generally sound understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

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provision

Children are cared for in a well-managed environment. The childminder strives to provide a service that is inclusive for all children and their families. She is aware of the need to ensure that effective communication takes place in order to fully support children's achievements. The childminder values the role of parents, encouraging them to share what they know about their child. This includes learning basic words in other languages to support children who speak English as an additional language. In addition, liaising with specialist agencies to ensure important information is shared for children identified with additional needs. This helps to ensure children settle smoothly between home and the childminding setting and the childminder is able to support their learning and development effectively. Assessment records provide parents with information on their children's achievements. The childminder has implemented some worthwhile strategies help parents

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provision

support their child's learning at home. For example, the childminder provides parents with a monthly information sheet about the stories they are focusing on in the setting so that they could continue this at home. In addition, the childminder displays information for parents on the seven areas of learning and photographs of children participating in activities that support each area. Consequently, partnership with parents is strong and children's skills are developed through a broad and balanced programme of activities and learning opportunities.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a strong drive for improvement. She understands how to continue developing her provision and together with her assistant, they reflect on the care and learning that they provide. Since registration, the childminder has installed a hand washbasin in the garden. This helps children to develop their self-care skills and their understanding of appropriate hygiene practices. The childminder created picture and word labels and is in the process of labeling the resources so that children are able to make informed choices about their play. There are clear plans for future improvements such as developing the garden to include a fruit and vegetable patch for the children. This helps children to see the process of foods and develop an understanding of how things grow. The childminder seeks the views of all parents by issuing questionnaires. Parents comments that their children are 'happy and settled', and the 'personal touch like home'.

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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 EY457720 Local authority Southwark Inspection number 911111 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 11 Number of children on roll 9

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection not applicable

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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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