Childminder in Bexley

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 EY292279 Inspection date 29/01/2009 Inspector Christine Lynne Hodge

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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 2004. She lives with her two children aged 12 and 17 years in Erith, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both 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 one full-time child and four part-time children in the early years age group and one school-aged child who is also part time.

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Description of the childminding

She is a member of an approved childminding network and is able to receive funding for nursery education for three and four-year-olds. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder's extremely good knowledge of childcare and her highly professional approach to childminding ensures that children are very well supported across all areas of their learning and development. Children are provided with a wide range of stimulating activities and experiences based on their likes, interests and individual needs. The childminder develops very good working partnerships with parents and provides them with detailed information about their children's welfare, progress and development. However, information gained from parents regarding children's starting points is limited. She makes very good use of self-evaluation in order to continually improve her practice.

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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 a system for finding out about children's starting points

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provision

The childminder's setting is very child friendly and well organised to provide children with a stimulating learning environment. Toys and play resources are clearly labelled providing children with good opportunities to make choices about their play. The childminder uses detailed observation and assessment to track children's progress and plan for each child's individual needs and the next steps in their learning. Effective and detailed planning provides children with a very good balance of adult-led and child-centred activities. The childminder has excellent procedures in place to ensure she provides a fully inclusive service to all families This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and to safeguard children in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Parents are made to feel welcome and are encouraged to be actively involved in their children's learning. They are provided with excellent information

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provision

about the Early Years Foundation Stage and are kept very well informed about their children's progress and development through verbal discussions, contacts books, weekly diaries of activities, tracker books, photographs and 'Record of Transfer' reports.

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provision

The childminder holds an NNEB qualification in Childcare and has attended many training courses and workshops as part of the Bexley Childminding Network, to ensure her practice and childcare experience is kept up to date. She has recently completed a Signing with Babies and Toddler Diploma and actively uses signing with all the children in her setting. Record keeping and documentation is professionally maintained. The childminder uses self-evaluation very effectively, together with parent questionnaires to monitor, evaluate and continually improve her practice and learning outcomes for children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder ensures that children are very well supported across all areas of their learning and development. Comprehensive planning includes monthly themes and weekly activities and outings. Activities are based on children's likes and interests and are adapted to ensure that all children can take part. Very effective systems used for observation and assessment enable the childminder to track children's progress, making sure they are working towards the early learning goals. Indoors, children can choose from an extensive range of play resources and are well supported in their play. The childminder sits with children and constantly talks to them, asking open-ended questions to encourage their thinking and reasoning skills. She encourages children's enjoyment of books by having a very good selection of books readily available for them to choose from and by reading favourite stories to them. The childminder uses daily routines and outings to help

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children recognise numbers, shapes, letters and signs. She encourages children to link sounds to letters by teaching them simple phonics and provides them with good opportunities to practise their early writing skills. Children's creativity is well promoted through a broad selection of art and craft activities and role play. The childminder encourages children to take part in regular exercise, playing in the garden and on trips to local parks. They learn about the wider community through organised outings, multi cultural play resources and by celebrating different festivals such as Chinese New Year. In the summer, the childminder makes good use of her garden for planting and growing activities to help children learn about nature. Children are happy, confident and enthusiastically engage in activities. They play well together and are developing good personal and social skills. The childminder acts as a good role model and encourages positive behaviour by

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

setting clear boundaries and by giving children lots of praise and encouragement to promote their self-esteem.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's comprehensive policies and procedures are used very effectively to fully promote the health, safety and general welfare of children. Her home is clean and well maintained with necessary safety precautions in place. Detailed risk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessments and emergency evacuation procedures ensure that children are kept safe. The childminder provides children with a healthy, balanced diet and has good processes in place to protect them from cross infection. She is extremely clear about her role and responsibility for recording and reporting any areas of concern. 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

Since the last inspection Ofsted has received one complaint that required the provider to take action. This related to the suitability of the provider, activities attended, agreements regarding food and drink and communication with parents.

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Detail of the complaint/s

We carried out a visit with regards to the complaint and set actions for the provider. These included, ensuring all private appointments do not have an adverse effect on minded children, to keep a record of complaints and any action taken, to improve agreements and verbal communication with parents, to ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times. The provider responded in writing to confirm that she had taken appropriate action to meet the requirements. The provider remained suitable for registration.

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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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