Childminder in Barnet

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19/05/2014 22/09/2008

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early years provision

This inspection: 1 Previous inspection: 1 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 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The childminder uses her considerable knowledge and experience of how children learn and develop to make highly accurate assessments of their progress. This enables her to plan their next stage of learning effectively and helps ensure they make excellent progress in relation to their starting points.  The childminder and her assistant treat all children in their care with great warmth and affection. Children feel exceptionally safe and secure because of the extremely close relationships they have with them both.  Children thoroughly enjoy exploring and investigating their surrounding environment and the excellent range of toys and activities. These are freely available both indoors and outside in the community and comprehensively cover all areas of learning.  The childminder has established excellent partnerships with children's parents and outside professionals, to support a continuous approach towards care and learning.

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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 took account of the views of parents from written documentation and through talking to them.  The inspector observed children's play and interaction with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation, evidence of suitability and risk assessments.  The inspector toured the premises and viewed all areas used for childminding.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and teenage son in Mill Hill in the London Borough of Barnet. The childminder works with an assistant and is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She currently cares for six children in the early years age range. Some of whom attend part time.

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

 continue to develop the provision to support children's understanding of disability.

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who attend

Children are achieving and progressing extremely well towards the early learning goals in relation to their starting points. The childminder skilfully plans and provides an excellent range of activities which are challenging, stimulating and fully support children's learning. She maintains in-depth learning journals filled with a wealth of evidence, showing how learning is observed and assessed to identify next steps for every child in each area of learning. These next steps are then incorporated into individualised learning plans to ensure that children's progression in learning is maintained. Children's new achievements are closely recorded and the childminder records when they achieve their next steps. Children are actively involved in their learning and the childminder is very skilled at following children's interests. Young children explore tactile experiences, extend concentration skills and explore dexterity. Children measure and compare size as they

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who attend

order containers by size and they explore role play offering 'tea' to the childminder. Every child is able to fully participate as the childminder adapts all play situations to include the very youngest children. The childminder follows babies' individual daily routines and this provides a secure and familiar environment for them. The childminder nurtures babies' attempts to communicate. She listens when they babble and responds to help reinforce early speech patterns. The babies are able to move around freely and practise their large physical skills, such as sitting, standing and walking. They make connections as they handle and manipulate toys to find out how they work. Babies enjoy playing with toys that are colourful, tactile and that make noises and they confidently use their senses to explore and investigate.Children's knowledge and understanding skills are extremely well supported due to the extensive range of resources and planned activities. For example,

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who attend

they are learning about lifecycles as they examine the caterpillar and watch the change from the cocoon into a butterfly. Children explore bugs in the garden as they lift stones and observe the different insects underneath. They enjoy planting seeds and talk about the importance of water and sunshine to enable them to grow. Young children explore different textures as they investigate the treasure basket. The childminder further enhances their experience by introducing heuristic play where children explore and find out how things work. Children make excellent progress in their social skills and confidence, as they have regular opportunities to attend a local children's centre. They also regularly participate in outdoor activities, including visits to the park, as well as using the well resourced outdoor space. Children visit the library where they have opportunities to choose their own books. Children enjoy playing with the changing coloured beans in the

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who attend

water. The childminder skilfully seizes this opportunity to promote children's language as they talk about the different animals in the water such as the frog. She then encourages the children to discuss the texture, where the animals live and what they eat. Children's vocabulary is further extended as the childminder introduces new words such as 'slimy and smooth'. Children's learning is further promoted through extremely well planned theme, which incorporates all areas of learning and takes into account children's interest and stage of development. For example, the road safety theme enabled children to look at the different road signs and methods of transport when out. Children made traffic lights and a zebra crossing and then learnt about how we use them.Children enjoy strong links with the local community, visiting children's amenities and using their shopping lists to purchase cooking ingredients. They develop a very good understanding of, and respect

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who attend

for, the lifestyles of others as they make use of a wealth of resources and activities that help them learn about diversity. However there are slightly fewer opportunities to learn about people with disabilities.

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

All children show an extremely strong sense of security and belonging in the setting. They are made to feel valued and part of the setting through the high quality interaction provided by the childminder. The childminder actively encourages children to take care of the toys and treat them with respect; children take pride in tidying up and are supported in doing so by the clearly labelled storage units. Children demonstrate very caring attitudes as older children frequently support younger ones, making sure they have toys within reach, giving them help when needed and including them in their imaginative play. The high expectations of the childminder and the clear boundaries set mean that children behave very well and use good manners spontaneously. They are confident, inquisitive and enthusiastic because the provision effectively meets their needs and provides high levels of interest and enjoyment.Children's welfare is of paramount importance to the

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

childminder, which helps children to follow a healthy lifestyle. They are learning to be independent in managing their own care as they wipe their face after eating and wash their hands before lunch and after playing in the garden. Children are well nourished and receive meals that meet their cultural needs and preferences. Cooking activities are a regular feature of their play which further promotes their understanding of healthy food options. Children have regular opportunities for outdoor play as they visit places of interest, such as the local soft play area where they are able to climb, balance and jump. They take part in regular stretch and movement sessions and learn about the benefit of keeping active as they sing songs and complete actions such as touching their toes.Group activities build on children's confidence and self-esteem as they use tools with increasing confidence and learn boundaries whilst being encouraged to take risk. The childminder

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

discusses being safe with the children on a regular basis and uses everyday routines, such as cooking to do so. Children are learning extremely well how to negotiate with each other over sharing toys and taking turns. The childminder and her assistant's calm and sensitive approach helps children to build relationships and respect one another. Excellent use of praise and encouragement helps children to develop high levels of self-esteem.

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provision

The childminder has an extremely good understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are very well safeguarded because the childminder is rigorous in her implementation of the procedures which she and her assistant have in place to protect children from harm. For example, they know the procedures for the safe collection of children and remind parents to inform her of any changes to the list of people nominated to collect their child. Children are protected by the childminder's very good awareness of issues that may raise safeguarding concerns. She ensures parents are well informed of her safeguarding responsibilities and the actions she and her assistant must take in order to protect children in their care. All visitors to the setting have their presence recorded, and the extremely good organisation of the co-childminding arrangements ensures they are supervised at all times. Excellent risk assessments of all areas of the

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provision

childminder's home, indoors and outside, ensure children enjoy a safe, well-maintained and hygienic, play and learning environment. These are supported by extremely thorough daily health and safety routines that take account of the ages and stages of development of children present. For example, children wear sun hats and sun protection in hot weather and babies and very young children who are inclined to 'explore' resources with their mouths as well as their hands are protected from cross infection by the childminder's vigilance in ensuring that toys are thoroughly cleaned after use. All documentation that supports children's welfare is in place and overall is extremely clear and well maintained.The childminder develops extremely effective links with parents and carers, together with other professionals involved in the care and education of the children. This enables her to plan activities to meet the individual needs of the children. Daily feedback,

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provision

photographs and regular discussions ensure the parents are kept extremely well informed about the care and education their child receives. Parents have expressed their confidence and pleasure in the provision through many letters and references.The childminder is strongly committed towards continuously developing and improving her practice and is keen to develop her knowledge and skills. She has attended several training workshops on new initiatives and kept up to date on child related issues in order to further promote the children's welfare and support their learning. For example, the childminder has improved her outdoor provision and children now have many more opportunities for learning across all areas outside. Children flourish and make very good progress in the thoughtful and intelligent care of this excellent childminder. The childminder has a clear view of her strengths and accurately identifies areas she wishes to improve that will have a substantial

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provision

impact on the level of care provided for the children. For example, she wishes to create a shaded area in the garden so children can play outside for any length of time, even in the hot, sunny weather.

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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 EY364282 Local authority Barnet Inspection number 949090 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6

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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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