Childminder in Bromley

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 EY309977 Inspection date 05/12/2008 Inspector Elizabeth Ellen Mackey

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children in Bromley, in the London Borough of Kent. Children have access to all rooms on the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor. Upstairs bedrooms are used for sleep purposes only. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear of the property for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children in the early years age group, most attend on a part time basis. She lives close to local schools, toddler groups, shops and other useful amenities. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and updates her practice through attending ongoing training.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are making excellent progress in their learning and development and their welfare is promoted extremely well. They are cared for in a stimulating, nurturing and inclusive environment where their individual needs are recognised and met. Effective self-evaluation ensures continuous improvement and the childminder has a clear understanding of her strengths and the areas to further develop her knowledge and skills. The childminder works closely with parents and others to ensure a consistent approach.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue to develop the system for observing and monitoring children's progress

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provision

The childminder effectively evaluates her practice, which includes seeking the views of parents. Completed questionnaires reflect how satisfied parents are with the care and early education their children receive. They state "when the children are with her they are engaged in a variety of activities including art projects, imaginary play and cooking; days are well planned and organised". "The childminder is very professional in her approach, always keen to give any feedback". The childminders' excellent practice is effectively underpinned by informative, up to date policies and procedures.

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provision

Communication with parents is excellent and the childminder uses several systems to ensure there is a consistent two-way flow of information. In addition to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 communicating on a daily basis, she maintains a daily contact book which means parents are fully informed about their child's day and provides the opportunity for parents to share information from home. In addition, children have individual files which contain an extensive range of information, including their learning journey record and examples of how their work is progressing. It is further enhanced by beautiful photographs of the children as they engage in play. These are sent home on occasion so parents can look at them at their leisure and contribute. The weekly plan is displayed on the playroom wall and it details planned activities for the week, including the weekly theme, outings and the menu.

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provision

The childminder is committed to building partnerships with other professionals who also work with the children. For example, for the children who attend pre-school she obtains copies of the newsletter detailing their plans so she can work alongside them. This ensures children enjoy a wide range of experiences and a balanced curriculum because everyone is working together to promote their welfare, learning, and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a confident knowledge and understanding of her role and responsibility for safeguarding children and has recently completed courses in child protection and health and safety, in order to keep up to date with current legislation. Substantial risk assessments are in place to eliminate risks to children and to keep them safe, these are meticulously recorded. All fire safety equipment is in place, including smoke alarms and a fire blanket. Children learn how to evacuate the premises quickly and safely and the evacuation procedure is displayed on the wall. Children's health needs are known and met and there are well practised routines in place to ensure children maintain good personal hygiene. The childminder holds an up to date certificate in paediatric first aid.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has developed a comprehensive knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. As a result, planning for children is superior and children are provided with activities which are identified specifically to meet their needs. When planning an activity or a theme the childminder looks at what each child will gain from it and she considers how she can help each child progress. She effectively supports children as they progress towards the early learning goals. This is evidenced through the childminder's detailed observations, which build a concise picture of how well children are progressing. The childminder uses her observations extremely well to identify children's next steps and assess their progress. She is experimenting with different formats for recording children's progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have a dedicated playroom that is richly resourced. The wide range of resources are mainly stored at the children's height and clearly labelled, to promote free choice and independence. Children are confident, very happy and demonstrate a sense of belonging. Children share the space very well; older children are considerate of the needs of younger children as they play. Children have opportunities to develop their problem solving skills through a wide range of activities. They skilfully build a train track trying to avoid uneven surfaces and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 place bridges and tunnels in the right places. Children's artwork is displayed on the walls, with craft activities hanging from the ceiling, for example dream catchers made with feathers and netting and Christmas decorations made from decorated compact discs. The garden is utilised effectively, for physical play and as an area

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

to promote children's knowledge and understanding of the natural world. Children also learn about how things grow and talk animatedly about the sunflowers they planted in the garden and how tall they grew. Children access a wide range of resources in the garden to ride, climb and balance on. Regular outings also include toddler groups and baby bounce where children have greater opportunities to develop their social skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children demonstrate a secure attachment to the childminder and they are confident and totally at ease in her care. Her consistent, positive approach helps them to feel secure and develop their confidence. They welcome her input in their play and they share a great sense of fun together.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy sharing books with the childminder. Her enthusiasm when reading engages the children's interest and encourages their concentration. They delight in being able to answer questions about the story and they enjoy it so much they ask the childminder to read it again, which helps to build their vocabulary. The childminder uses a planning web to organise themes in depth. For example, when the children learn about "people who help us", in addition to the activities and resources in place to support the theme, it is extended to include creative role play, a visit to the police station and a fire drill practice to promote discussion about fire fighters. This engages the children's interest and consolidates their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder’s positive attitude to equal opportunities ensures that children have a good awareness of the wider community and their play is supported with a wide variety of resources, reflecting positive images of the world they live in. Wall displays depict people from various cultural backgrounds and includes pictures representing sign language. Each child has a photograph displayed with information about their favourite things. This promotes their self-esteem as children proudly identify their photograph and explain who the other children are. The childminder encourages the children to work alongside each other. The strategies and boundaries in place help to create a harmonious environment where the children learn to share and care for one another, it also helps children learn to respect 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

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is 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? 1 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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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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