Childminder in Camden

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10/02/2014 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 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 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder recognises the individual needs and abilities of all children. She also takes each child's interests very seriously and gives them valuable support to extend their learning.  The childminder encourages and values parent's role in supporting children's early literacy skills.  Children enjoy a wide variety of indoor and outdoor play experiences, which supports and enhance their learning and development.  Children benefit from meals and snacks that are well balanced, nutritious and from a wide variety of foods that help them to develop good eating habits.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Children have limited resources and activities that reflect positive images of disability and gender to develop further their understanding of diversity.

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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 held discussions with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the children during play and the childminder's interaction with the children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled a range of documents including the attendance register, policies, training certificates and children's assessment and observation reports. The inspector also reviewed the risk assessment record and the childminder's welcome pack.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2013. She lives on the 14th floor of an apartment block in the West End area within the London Borough of Camden. The whole of the childminder's flat is used for childminding. The childminder's home is accessed via a lift The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder offers an overnight care service. The childminder is currently minding four children in the early years age group, all of whom attend during part time hours. The childminder regularly takes children to the local toddler groups, library and parks.The childminder holds a Montessori International Diploma. She follows the Montessori Philosophy and teachings alongside the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is a mentor to childminders who follow the Montessori Philosophy. The childminder is also a member of the Professional Association

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

 develop the range of resources to represent positive images of disability and gender to widen children's knowledge and understanding of diversity.

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who attend

The children's learning and development is promoted well because the childminder knows how well children learn and develop through play and experiences. The childminder makes good use of the information she obtains from parent's initial assessments of their child. This enables her to recognise children's existing abilities and build on what children already know from the outset. The childminder consistently observes and records children's achievements during play and she uses her notes to identify ways to move children on in their development. She also takes each child's interests very seriously and gives them valuable support to extend their learning. For example, children show keen interests in colours, shapes, water play and handling malleable materials. The childminder provides children with a variety of opportunities to discover new experiences so they can explore and create their own ideas. For example,

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who attend

children explore texture using all their senses when making a collage and handling salt dough. They also make marks using hands, fingers and paintbrushes. Children also show delight when observing floating bubbles during water play.

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who attend

The childminder speaks clearly and uses simple words and phrases that enable young children and those learning to speak English to understand. She also gives a running commentary of what she is doing at routine times to help increase children's listening skills and develop their understanding. All children receive good support that helps them to develop in their confidence and progress in their communication and language skills. As a result, young children are able to make themselves be understood through language and signing. Children learning to speak English are beginning to use two- worded sentences and their vocabulary is increasing. Young children are developing an awareness of the names of the alphabet letters through activities that are fun and suitable for their age and stage of development. The childminder is developing a language box with the involvement of the children's parents, which contains familiar

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who attend

objects in the setting and brought from home that begins with the letter 'P'. This helps to support children's early literacy skills. In addition, children are beginning to acquire the skills for the next stage in their learning and development.

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who attend

The childminder introduce new ways of saying something to children by using mathematical language in every day conversation and situations. For example, the childminder explains and demonstrates to the children how to open the top and middle part of the parcel. She also reinforces children's understanding of mathematical languages when she shows them where to put things away. Children are starting to develop early problem skills as they turn puzzles pieces to fit them into the correct space. The childminder makes good use of the local community to broaden children's experience of the features within their environment. For example, children visit a range of shops; see different forms of transport on the road and visit a city farm, where they see learn about a range of animals. Children take part in activities that help them to develop an understanding of other cultures. For example, they visit 'China Town', where

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who attend

they a taste fortune cookies and make lanterns to celebrate Chinese New Year. Children have access to a suitable range of play equipment and resources that reflect positive images of race and culture. However, children have limited access to resources that represent positive images of disability and gender.

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

Children are happy, settle well and clearly feel at comfortable in the setting. This is because the childminder and the children's parents devise a flexible settling arrangement that enable children to get to know the childminder and new surroundings at their own pace. The childminder is warm, friendly and attentive to each child's individual needs. As a result, children feel confident that they will be responded to, thus developing a trustful relationship with the childminder. The childminder organises small group activities, such as story sessions, water play activities and role play to help young children develop relationships with others in the setting. In addition, the childminder takes children to local toddler groups, where children learn to develop relationships with other children. The children feel a sense of belonging as they have special places, where they hang their coats and individual baskets for their clothes and other personal possessions. The childminder

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

values children's paintings and display their work in the hallway. Consequently, children are developing an awareness of their own achievements. The childminder speaks calmly to children and gives clear explanation according to their age and maturity. This enables children to understand what acceptable behaviour is. In this way, the children start to learn what is expected of them. In addition, the childminder discusses her methods of behaviour management with parents to help ensure the management of children behaviour is consistent. The childminder organises the storages of toys and equipment at a level that enable children to have safe access and an ability to make choices of what to play with. In this way, children become engross in their play and the choices they make. Children's good health is encouraged because the childminder take them out on a daily basis so that they have opportunities to play in fresh air. The childminder fully promotes

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

children's physical development by providing them with mobile play equipment indoors, where they learn to ride tricycles, push buggies and crawl through play tents. This helps them develop skills to move in different ways. Children also have good opportunities to develop confidence in using larger play equipment, such as slides and swings when visiting the local parks and toddlers groups. Children benefit immensely from a healthy diet. They enjoy eating varied and nutritious organic foods each day, which meets with their dietary needs. In addition, the childminder encourages children to try new foods, such as blueberries and oatcakes to widen their taste. Young children begin to understand about the importance of good hygiene as they are given support to clean their hands with wet wipes before and after meals. The childminder's daily hygiene practices such as washing her hands before preparing snacks and cooking children's meals as well as

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

wearing protective clothing for nappy changes, helps to minimise the spread of germs or cross infection to children. The childminder help children to learn about keeping safe through practising the fire drill with them so that they become familiar with the procedures for evacuation in the event of an emergency. She also helps the children to develop an awareness of road safety by using the pedestrian crossing when taking the children out on trips.

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provision

The childminder promotes children's welfare, making their safety a strong priority. The childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection issues including the possible signs and symptoms of neglect and the procedures to follow if a child is at risk of harm. The childminder carefully checks the identification of any person including authorised visitors so that children are secure at all times. The childminder consistently risk assesses all areas of the home to reduce potential hazards to children and enable them to move around freely and safely. She has clear procedures for outings that promote children's safety outdoors. The childminder also checks the safety of equipment on a daily basis and because of this; the children are able to use the toys with confidence and purpose. The childminder keeps all required records in place, in a confidential manner and well maintained. This promotes the safe and effective management of the childminder's setting

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provision

to support children's welfare. The childminder is proactive in keeping her knowledge in childcare and early years up to date through training as well as working closely with the local authority early years team. She has also joined the childminder network groups. The childminder sets new targets and reviews aspects of her practice to help ensure she meets the varying needs of all the children. The childminder's self-evaluation accurately reflects her practice during the inspection. This demonstrates that the childminder has a good understanding of her strengths and that she is motivated to continuously develop the provision of care and learning for children. The childminder has a good knowledge of the learning and development requirements. She uses a comprehensive observation and assessment process to support and extend children's learning through purposeful activities and play. As a result, all children are making good progress.The childminder shares a

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provision

welcome pack with new parents at their first meeting, which includes the childminder's training certificates, activity plans and written policies. This helps to ensure that the parents are well informed of the childcare procedures that the childminder follows and the service she offers. The childminder works closely with parents by keeping them informed about their child's general wellbeing and ongoing progress. She does this through daily discussions and a diary including through assessment records and review meetings, where parents are encouraged to add their contributions. The childminder also involves parents in their children's learning by giving them suggestions of activities that they can extend at home, such as the alphabet letterbox. The childminder encourages parents to share their views about the service she offers to them and their children. The parents' written comments indicate that they are very happy with the service the childminder provides and

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provision

they are pleased with the progress their children make. The childminder demonstrates an understanding of the importance of forming links with the local schools and other toddler groups in the community to promote continuity of care and learning for 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 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. 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

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Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. 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 EY462578 Local authority Camden Inspection number 933331 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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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

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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