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 EY310350 Inspection date 12/03/2009 Inspector Teresa Evelina Lucas

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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 husband and their three children aged 11, eight and four years. They live in a four bedroom house in Welling in the London Borough of Bexley. The premises are situated close to local shops, schools and transport links. Access to the premises is good. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. The toilet and bathroom are on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family has two hamsters.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, two of whom may be in the early years age group. There are currently two children on roll in the early years age group, aged three and two years. The childminder also cares for one child aged 11 years. Children attend for a variety of sessions.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides an inclusive, welcoming child-friendly environment where all children feel valued and like part of her family. Children benefit from very good opportunities to make independent choices from a wide range of age appropriate resources as they play together in a safe, warm and welcoming environment. The childminder has a sound understanding of the learning and development and welfare requirements and, as a result, provides effectively for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She obtains clear information about children's starting points from parents and makes sure that she gets to know the children well so that she is able to meet their individual needs. The childminder is beginning to carry out observations and to keep records of children's progress. She has a positive approach towards continuous improvement and has demonstrated this by attending training and

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

starting to use the self-evaluation process to help her to identify areas for future improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the use of observations and assessment in order to identify the next steps in children's learning and monitor their progress towards the early learning goals  ensure that attendance records clearly show when children are present on the premises. For example, they should not include times when the children are at nursery or pre-school  continue to develop the use of self evaluation to ensure that it is effective in identifying areas for future improvements and how these will improve outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

There are clear safeguarding procedures in place which help to ensure that children are protected from the risk of harm or neglect. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments of her premises and outings and keeps records of these, as required. All other documentation necessary for the safe and efficient running of the provision is in place. Records are well-organised and are safely and confidentially stored. However, the attendance record includes time when the children attend another provision and so are not an accurate record of when children are actually on the premises. Policies and procedures, including a complaints procedure, are effectively shared with parents. The childminder promotes good partnerships with parents by regularly exchanging information about the children's starting points, their individual needs and their progress, through regular discussions. This helps to ensure continuity of care and learning

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provision

and helps children to feel secure. Consequently, they are happy and settled and enjoy their time at the setting. The childminder also ensures that she develops partnerships with other provisions, such as the pre-school one of the children attends. She then incorporates things they are learning at pre-school and any issues parents they have identified into her planning. For example, she is currently reinforcing colours.

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provision

The childminder is keen to improve her provision further through attending training to develop her knowledge about implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage. She demonstrates a commitment to providing an inclusive service where all children and their families are welcome and valued. The childminder has a proactive approach to caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. As a result, she understands the importance of working with parents and other professionals to ensure that children's needs are fully met so that they can achieve their full potential. The childminder has started to use her observations and assessments of children's progress in her planning. However, these are not yet clearly linked to planning the next steps in individual children's learning. She is exploring ways of assessing children's progress, for example, through dated examples of children's work and labelled photographs. The

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provision

childminder has also started to monitor and evaluate her own practice through the use of the self-evaluation process. However, although she has used this to identify areas for improvement such as training, she has yet started to look at how such improvements will further improve the outcomes for children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy their time with the childminder because she makes them welcome and gives them lots of individual time and attention. They are making good progress in a stimulating child friendly environment which is enhanced by creative displays of children's work, colourful charts and posters. Children benefit from a planned weekly routine that includes a balanced range of interesting indoor and outdoor activities across the six areas of learning. Planning also reflects children's individual interests. Children's language skills are developing well. As they play, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they enjoy frequent interactions with the childminder who talks and listens to them and asks them questions to make them think. Consequently, children are very eager to communicate and express themselves and are gaining in confidence. They are learning to identify colours and count as they enjoy making face pictures on

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

paper plates using a variety of materials. For example, they look at the colour of each other's eyes and count their eyes as they decide where on their face they should stick them. Children's independence skills are developing well as they help to set up and put away activities, use scissors and apply their own glue. They are delighted and proud of themselves when the childminder immediately puts their finished pictures up on to the wall. They actively participate at lunchtime by pouring their own drinks from small jugs and putting slices of chicken and cheese into their sandwiches. Children work together well as they use their reasoning and problem solving skills to a construct a bridge using sticklebricks and duplo that will be high enough for a large toy car to go under. The children's numeracy skills are developing well as they successfully count the strawberries and grapes in their bowls, as well as recognising what colours the fruits are. Children benefit from

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

good opportunities to express themselves imaginatively. For example, they have fun pretending to make dinner and do the ironing as they enthusiastically explore the role play resources available. They are learning about diversity and the wider community through a variety of activities including outings and resources, such as books, play figures and celebrations.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder effectively promotes children's welfare. She has a sound awareness of safeguarding issues and understands the importance of regularly updating her training in this area. Regular risk assessments, together with appropriate supervision, help to promote children's safety indoors and outdoors and when going out. Children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe because the childminder often reminds them to be careful as they play. For example, she reminds them to be careful when they stand on a storage box and explains to them that it is dangerous because they might slip and fall. Children's health is promoted through regular opportunities for indoor and outdoor physical activities and through effective hygiene procedures such as washing their hands before lunch and using tissues to wipe noses. They are learning about healthy eating as they enjoy nutritious meals and snacks such as wholemeal bread and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

fresh fruit, as well as regular drinks. Parents are involved in their children's care through regular discussions and record keeping systems. For example, all necessary parental consents such as seeking emergency medical treatment and taking children out are in place. Policies and procedures are very well presented in the form of an information pack for parents. Records are well organised and readily available for inspection, although the attendance record is not fully accurate because it includes periods when the children attend another provision. Children are learning to behave well because the childminder acknowledges good behaviour, uses frequent praise and encouragement and clearly shows them that she values them. For example, she praises them when they share the toys and encourages them to show good manners. As a result, children feel good about themselves, are developing a sense of belonging and are learning right from

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

wrong. They negotiate, take turns and work co-operatively together, as they play. The childminder shares her behaviour management policy with parents so that a consistent approach is maintained. 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? 2 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? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 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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