Childminder in Barking and Dagenham

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY304878 Inspection date 13/10/2008 Inspector S Campbell

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2005. She lives with her son aged thirteen in a residential area of Dagenham, Essex. The childminder is available to take children to and from Grafton Primary School and Beacon Playgroup. The whole ground floor, first floor bathroom and main bedroom of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for no more than five children under eight years of age. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. The childminder currently has four children in the early years age group, one child in the compulsory age group and two children in the voluntary age group on roll. The family have one cat and the childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has effectively promoted an inclusive environment for children through the strong partnerships with parents and ensuring information is obtained about their starting points. The childminder organises her time well to ensure children engage in a range of worthwhile activities to further promote their learning and development. The childminder is committed to attending relevant training to promote continual improvement in her everyday practises and the care provided for children.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 continue to develop the systems for observation, assessment and planning in order to meet all children’s individual needs  further develop arrangements to ensure links are made with external agencies

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provision

The childminder has developed effective partnerships with parents to support children's care, learning and development. She has implemented useful systems to ensure parents are kept well informed of children’s progress, such as informal discussions, weekly diaries and progress reports. However, this has yet to be fully developed for all children including making links with external agencies. There are a number of comprehensive polices and procedures in place and they are fully shared with parents which supports an inclusive setting. The childminder ensures the flow of two-way communication with parents is ongoing to promote continuity This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of care, for example, on parents' arrival to the setting, they feel at ease to share information about children’s teething and general well-being.

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provision

The childminder strives for continual improvement and parents' views are welcomed via a ‘Childminder’s Appraisal Form’. The childminder has begun to self evaluate her service and subsequently is undertaking a Homebased Childcare course to further develop her current practises and knowledge.

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provision

The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe by reinforcing the importance of not talking to strangers when out on routine outings and learning ‘The Green Cross Code’. Children’s welfare is further safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and they are fully shared with parents allowing them to gain an understanding of her responsibility to act upon any concerns. The childminder has obtained all relevant information about children’s backgrounds, individual and medical needs. Additionally she has acquired all significant written parental consent, for example, to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. This enables her to act within children’s best interest in the event of an emergency.

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provision

The childminder carries out both informal and formal risk assessments to further promote children’s safety. The children are cared for in a secure and safe environment because the childminder has ensured suitable safety measures are in place. There are clear procedures in place for medication, accidents and should children become ill. In addition, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This ensures children receive the required attention should they sustain an injury.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children benefit from taking part in a good range of both adult-directed and child initiated activities to support their learning and development. The childminder effectively plans a range of activities that reflect the Early Years Foundation Stage and she has a good understanding of the early learning goals. The childminder has begun to plan activities to meet the individual needs of children. She is able to talk about in great detail what children can do and their next steps. However, the arrangements for observation, assessment and planning have yet to be fully implemented for all children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Through practical activities and routines the childminder encourages the children to be independent learners, for example, the older children lay the table for mealtimes and they are able to dress and undress themselves unaided. The childminder uses gentle reminders to encourage children to wash their hands at appropriate times through discussion and posters. This encourages children to learn the importance of good personal hygiene and minimises the spread of cross infection.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are happy in their environment and babies benefit from close interactions with the childminder. The childminder responds very well to younger children’s babbles and in turn they respond excitedly to the tone of her voice, for example, smiling, laughing, kicking and waving their arms. Through a range of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 mediums the children are able to write for a range of purposes and the childminder ensures suitable resources are in place to ensure younger children can take part, for example chunky dabbers. This further promotes an inclusive environment. The children have access to a range of good quality books and the childminder spends time reading books to them. The children are cared for in a bright, clean and well maintained environment where there are a number of posters that are readily available and displayed that introduce them to numbers and the alphabet, for

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

example ABC Learning, First Words and Adding Up.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are developing good imaginative and creative skills. Through planned and free play activities they benefit from acting out real life situations, such as imitating the role of the head teacher, childminder, make-up artist and hairdressers. The childminder engages very well in children’s play by being a client and allowing the children to style her hair and apply make up. This ensures children’s play is enjoyable and life-like. The older children are able to use simple additions through everyday situations, for example, by counting how many utensils and crockery is needed when setting the table. However, there are few opportunities for them to use basic subtractions to further develop their problem solving skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a very positive attitude towards diversity, allowing children to have a good sense of belonging and gain an understanding of similarities and differences. They have access to a varied range of resources that promote positive images and a number of positive posters are displayed around the home, for example, ‘All Different All Equal’. In addition, books are readily available that further develops their understanding of their local community and the wider world, for example ‘All Kinds of People’, ‘The Skin I’m In’ and 'Don’t Call Me Special’. This encourages children to develop a positive attitude towards others and diversity.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Through planned topics the children learn about various celebrations, festivals and traditions, such as Harvest Festival, Diwali and Christmas. The childminder encourages the children to think about those who are less fortunate. The children donate foods for Harvest Festival, and the chosen child is then allowed to donate the foods to a preferred charity or elderly neighbour of their choice. This teaches children to have respect and consideration for others. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? Good The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Good How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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