Childminder in Harrow

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 07/07/2014 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 3 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 3

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This provision requires improvement

 Children are settled in the childminder's care. This is because she is warm and approachable, and provides some experiences that she knows children will enjoy.  The childminder has a suitable understanding of safeguarding procedures and processes to promote children's welfare in the case of a child protection concern.  There is a strong commitment to improvement and the childminder works hard to identify and address any practical issues.  The childminder has put in place some effective systems to work in partnership with parents.

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It is not yet good because

 Medication records are not always completed appropriately to clearly include parents' permission for medication to be administered.  The outdoor area has not been fully risk assessed and does not have a full range of resources to allow children to fully explore, and investigate, their natural surroundings.  In the main play area, children cannot always find the items they want to play with easily for themselves, to support their independent play as well as possible.

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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 viewed the areas used for childminding both indoors and outdoors.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector reviewed the childminder's policies and documentation, including those for equal opportunities, suitability, assessing children's development and safeguarding.  The inspector observed the interaction between the children and the childminder.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2012 but had previously been registered as a childminder since 1996. She lives with one of her adult sons in the London Borough of Harrow. The family has two dogs. Children are cared for on the ground floor of the home. There is a garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are four children in the early years age range on roll.

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must:

 ensure medication records are completed accurately showing that parents have signed to give their consent to administer medication for their child

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must:

 follow clear and well-understood procedures for assessing any risks to children's safety, and review risk assessments regularly, with particular regard to the garden and items stored there.

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

 develop further opportunities for children to independently select resources during child-initiated play

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

 increase opportunities for children to explore and investigate nature outdoors.

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who attend

The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of how children develop and learn. She observes the children in her care and regularly talks to parents and carers about their children. This information is then used to assess children's progress and plan their experiences. Each child has a learning and development record. The childminder uses this record to share with parents so they know how their children are making progress through the experiences the childminder provides. She also invites parents to share what they know about their children so they can share ideas about how they can support children's learning at home. The childminder suitably plans and provides a variety of experiences that interest children and help develop their knowledge and skills. For example, she takes children on outings in the local community, to playgroups, and to music and movement sessions at the local

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who attend

children's centre. However, children's learning is not always promoted as well as it could be in the childminder's setting. This is because some resources and activities are not readily available to children. For instance, resources that older children can choose independently are not so well organised, therefore, these children are not able to extend their own play and learning. In addition, the outdoor area is not used effectively to promote children's sense of exploration and understanding of nature.

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who attend

The childminder interacts well with children while promoting their communication, language and literacy skills. She engages them in conversations to build on their vocabulary and children take turns speaking, showing they are developing their listening skills. Children enjoy some opportunities to use their imaginations and to develop their concentration skills during free play sessions. The childminder supports them well in their play. She encourages them as they play, for a significant amount of time, with play dough. The childminder encourages children to make shapes and to extend the items they have made, for example by adding more tools for rolling and cutting shapes. This promotes children's mathematical development as the childminder talks to them about the shapes they are making. Children persist at this activity as they become very involved in imaginative play. They enjoy pretending that play dough pieces are square meatballs, and

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who attend

children laugh and have fun as they attempt to feed the meatballs to the childminder. The childminder allows children to lead the play and this means that they feel that their own ideas are valued and supported. This promotes children's sound progress as they feel welcomed and ready to learn, getting them prepared for the next stage in their learning.

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who attend

Children are exceptionally well behaved. They learn to take turns in conversation, share and use polite language with very good manners. The childminder's garden contains some physical play equipment that includes a variety of sit-on toys. Through playing with these items, children develop balance, confidence and coordination. In addition, these skills are enhanced as children use large play equipment at the local park and children's centre.

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

There is a relaxed and happy atmosphere in the childminder's home. Children have sufficient space to play and rest. Children's individual care needs and routines are satisfactorily known and met because the childminder maintains regular discussions with their parents. She asks about children's dietary needs, home routines and health care routines before they start. Additionally, she observes and listens to the children, and this helps her to identify their individual personalities and preferences. Flexible settling-in sessions are offered for children new to the childminding provision and their move into the childminder's care is managed sensitively. As a result, children appear settled and happily go to the childminder for comfort, reassurance and support. Areas of the childminder's home used for childminding are clean and well maintained. The childminder carries out risk assessments of her home and outings. Generally, these identify potential hazards and

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

her home is well maintained and appropriate for children to play in. This is less well developed in the garden where other family member's household items are stacked, and old tools and rusty barbeques are left where children play. This means that she has not promoted their safety as well in the garden.

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

Children enjoy regular exercise and fresh air, and follow good hygiene practices. Children talk about food that is bad for their health, such as take away foods, compared to the much healthier options the childminder provides for snacks, including fruit and yoghurt. Furthermore, they learn about the impact of exercise on their bodies as they go for walks and play at the local park. Consequently, children develop positive attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle and their good health is suitably promoted.

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

The childminder has a friendly and caring nature, and actively encourages good manners and respect. Children behave well and know what is expected of them. For example, they treat the childminder's two dogs with care and respect, and know how to move carefully between indoors and out into the garden by keeping the gates shut. Children show by their actions and comments that they are developing an awareness of safe practices. They know and understand why they have to stay close to the childminder on outings. The childminder and children regularly practise the emergency evacuation procedures. Consequently, they know what to do if they need to leave the premises in an emergency.

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provision

The inspection found that overall the childminder has a suitable understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and meets most requirements. However, the inspection found that the childminder has not always made sure that medication records are completed appropriately prior to administering medication to children. The childminder shows that she has permission from parents to administer medication but has not always made sure that this is recorded accurately, including the parent's signature. This does not demonstrate a secure understanding of the requirements for administering medication. In addition, the childminder has not fully assessed all potential risks to children in the garden. The impact is minimal as children are well supervised when they play outside. This means the associated requirements of the Childcare Register are not met. The childminder recognises the potential impact of this

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provision

breach of requirements and has reconsidered her policy towards administering medication as a result.

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provision

The childminder has made a number of improvements to raise standards through training and following guidance from the local authority. She has notified Ofsted of complaints, maintains a record of complaints and indicates that she understands when to notify Ofsted of changes to members of her household. She has purchased resources, improved how she plans children's experiences and developed her knowledge of how children learn. Furthermore, she has attended safeguarding training and demonstrates that this training has increased her knowledge of child protection issues. Children are only released into the care of authorised individuals and satisfactory procedures are in place to ensure that adults living in the home are suitable. The childminder has appropriate procedures for checking the identity of any visitors to her home and supervises children well while they are in her home. She shares all information about her suitability, and the suitability of her

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provision

household and family members, with parents so that they can be sure that a suitable person cares for their children.

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provision

The childminder informally reviews and assesses the experiences that she plans and provides for children. She asks children and parents for their views and is keen to improve the service that she provides. The childminder follows her own system of self-evaluation. She describes how her strengths include the successful way that she promotes children's communication and language skills by reading with, and listening to, children and talking to them. She is able to identify strengths or where some legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are not fully met.

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provision

The childminder has made friendly relationships with parents and most comment positively on the service that she provides. The childminder recognises the importance of working in partnership with parents and other professionals to meet children's individual needs. She verbally exchanges general information with parents about their children's experiences, welfare and achievements. This keeps parents informed about their child's care and learning. Furthermore, she shares her progress reports with parents and obtains required information from them. Some children also attend school and other early years settings, and the childminder exchanges basic information with staff at these settings. Consequently, children experience consistency and continuity of care.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are

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actions)

The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are

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To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

 ensure that any medicine administered to any child who is cared for on the premises, includes the date and circumstances and who administered it together with a record of a parent/guardian/carer's consent (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure the premises and equipmentused for the purposes of the childcare are safe and suitable for that childcare (compulsory part of the Childcare Register).  ensure that any medicine administered to any child who is cared for on the premises, includes the date and circumstances and who administered it together with a record of a parent/guardian/carer's consent (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  ensure the premises and equipmentused for the purposes of the childcare are safe and suitable for that childcare (voluntary part of the Childcare Register).

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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 EY449090 Local authority Harrow Inspection number 980487 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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