Childminder in Merton

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

p.1

The provision is good

The childminder and her assistant form a good team. They work seamlessly together to create a warm and nurturing environment. Their genuine care helps children to feel happy and safe. Children who have recently joined the setting are already settled and emotionally secure. The childminder and her assistant set high expectations for all children. They follow a consistent and thoughtful approach to managing children's behaviour, which parents appreciate. Children play cooperatively, often sharing lots of laughter, particularly during outdoor activities. This joyous atmosphere has great effects on children's learning and development. It motivates children to play well.

p.2

The provision is good

The childminder's curriculum emphasises developing children's communication and language skills. Both the childminder and her assistant speak English clearly and read to children regularly. This helps to build on and extend children's vocabulary. Over time, children become confident in expressing themselves. For instance, in the mud kitchen, they excitedly talk about making sandwiches for each other and the adults. Additionally, the childminder encourages children's independence skills, which helps them take responsibility for their personal needs. This fosters the development of essential skills needed for children's next stage of education, including school. Children's positive attitudes towards learning reflect their good progress.

p.2

need to do better?

n The childminder is an experienced and passionate practitioner, who is deeply committed to providing children with high-quality care and education. Her dedication to continuous improvement reflects her drive to ensure that each child thrives in a nurturing and inclusive environment. n The childminder recognises the importance of developing her professional skills to improve her practice. She and her assistant are participating in the Early Years Professional Development Programme to enhance their teaching knowledge. For instance, they have learned how to incorporate mathematics into their curriculum, resulting in children using numbers in their activities more frequently. The childminder's assistant appreciates the support she receives from the childminder for her professional growth. n The childminder observes children's learning, enabling her to identify gaps, such as speech delays. Consequently, children make notable progress from their

p.2

need to do better?

starting points. The childminder collaborates with her assistant to integrate children's interests into planned activities. However, there are times when she does not establish clear learning intentions for these activities. Hence, children's learning is not always extended as effectively as it could be. n The childminder and her assistant teach children to behave well. They model

p.2

need to do better?

10 September 2024 polite words, such as thank you and please, which children repeat. Children show respect for others and their environment. n Children learn about healthy lifestyles. They delight in exercising and getting fresh air. This is particularly beneficial for children learning to take their first steps. Alongside physical activity, children also learn about the significance of good hygiene practices. These opportunities promote children's well-being and teach them healthy habits from an early age. n The childminder regularly takes children into the local community. For example, she visits parks to enable children to explore nature. The childminder also takes children to the library, where they listen to older children reading age- appropriate books and participate in singing activities. Through these learning experiences, children broaden their understanding of the world around them. n The childminder evaluates her service rigorously. For example, since the last

p.2

need to do better?

inspection, she has reviewed how they organise the daily routines to maximise their interactions with children. This has had a positive impact, especially on children who speak English as an additional language. n The partnership with parents is strong. The childminder puts considerable effort into accommodating the needs of working parents. She offers helpful suggestions on how parents can support their children's care and education, including advice on sleep routines and healthy eating. Parents are delighted with the childminder's regular updates on their children's progress. They appreciate the childminder's kind and welcoming nature, which fosters a positive and collaborative relationship.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n consider using information from assessments more effectively to identify clear learning intentions to extend children's learning.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY444326 Local authority Merton Inspection number 10355096 Type of provision Childminder

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 12 Date of previous inspection 16 November 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2012 and lives in the London Borough of Merton. She offers care all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The childminder holds a childcare qualification at level 3 and works with an assistant.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector around the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. They jointly observed a planned activity and evaluated the impact on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the childminder and her assistant during the inspection. She engaged with children at appropriate times. n Parents expressed their opinions on the quality of education through questionnaires. n The inspector observed the quality of education provided indoors and outdoors and assessed its impact on children's learning. She looked at relevant documentation and reviewed the evidence of the childminder's training and suitability checks.

p.4

Inspection activities

10 September 2024 We carried out this inspection 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

10 September 2024 regulates and inspects to 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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, safeguarding and child protection.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6