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 EY356442 Inspection date 27/02/2009 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 was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and four in Becontree, Essex in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham. 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 to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of whom one may be in the early years age group. The childminder is currently minding two children in this age range, one of whom attends ten sessions at school. The provision is registered by Ofsted on both the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family have no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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 satisfactory. The childminder is currently undertaking a level 3 childcare course to further promote the outcomes for all children. The childminder supports all children well to ensure no child is disadvantaged which contributes to an inclusive environment. The childminder has developed positive relationships with parents and at point of reviewing children’s contractual agreement parent’s views are welcomed about the childminder’s practice which further promotes partnership working. The childminder has a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and as a result children are steadily making progress in their all round development.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework to ensure children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates  further develop procedures to ensure parents contribute to children’s ongoing assessments  further develop procedures to ensure links are made with children’s school to support their learning and development within the setting  further develop procedures to ensure parents are given a copy of the complaint procedure should they wish to make a complaint  further develop procedures to ensure regular fire drills are carried out and documented This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder works in close partnership with parents to move children on in their next stage of development, for example toilet training. The childminder shares children’s observations with parents and through the regular exchange of information parents are kept informed of children’s progress. The childminder has a sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework to ensure all children are supported. However, procedures have yet to be developed to ensure links are made with children’s school to ensure their learning and development is effectively supported while at the setting.

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provision

The organisation of the day allows the childminder to support all children’s individual needs. Relevant documentation is shared with parents to promote continuity of care, for example medication records. The childminder has implemented a number of polices and procedures and parents are given sight of these at point of enrolment. However, procedures have yet to be developed to ensure parents are given a copy of the complaint procedure should they wish to make a complaint.

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provision

The children’s welfare is promoted well because the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and procedures. The children’s well-being is further promoted while at the setting because the childminder undertakes regular visual risk assessments. The childminder has begun to self-evaluate her service and some areas for improvement have been identified to promote the outcomes for children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are comfortable in their surroundings and they are interested in the resources on offer. The children are able to make informed decisions about their play because the toys on offer are readily accessible. This promotes an inclusive environment. The childminder carries out regular observations and plans a range of activities to ensure children’s play is varied. However, not all activities are age and stage appropriate to reflect children’s abilities. The childminder gathers information about children’s starting points through discussions with parents and documentation, for example ‘All About Me’. This enables the childminder to build on what children already know. In addition the childminder undertakes settling in observations to track children’s progress towards the early learning goals. However, procedures have yet to be developed to ensure parents contribute to children’s ongoing assessments to enable them to effectively contribute to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children’s learning while at the setting.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are developing positive relationships with the childminder and her family. The children are developing a sense of belonging and they refer to the childminder as ‘auntie’ demonstrating that trusting relationships are built. The children are able to take part in a reasonable range of both adult-led and child initiated activities to support their interests. The children play relative well together and when taking part in music and dance activities they automatically give each This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 other a hug. The children are developing appropriate communication skills and they have access to a range of books to further develop their understanding that print carries meaning. The children are able to recall songs from memory, for example ‘if you’re happy and you know it’. Through singing time sessions the childminder introduces children to simple additions and subtractions, such as ‘five

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

little ducks’. The children have access to a sufficient range of information and communication technology (ICT) resources to support their learning, such as a computer, V-tech laptop and a CD player.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children’s fine and gross motor skills are developing well. The children regularly go out on trips to local parks and the discovery adventure playground. This contributes to children’s good health and promotes an active lifestyle. In addition the childminder frequently attends a playgroup and childminding drop in group. This allows children to interact with their peers and others. The children’s imaginative and creative skills are developing well. They take part in dressing up activities where they are able to act out real life situations, for example fire person, doctor, builder & lion. This ensures children's play is purposeful.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are cared for in a safe and secure environment because there are clear procedures in place to ensure children do not leave the premises with unknown adults, for example a password system is in place. There are appropriate safety measures in place. However, procedures have yet to be developed to ensure fire drills are regularly carried out to ensure children are familiar with the procedures in the event of an emergency evacuation. When taking children out on outings the children’s safety is further promoted because the childminder talks to children about road safety awareness and encourages children to wear fluorescent jackets and wrists bands. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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 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 registration Ofsted has received one complaint that required the provider to take action. This related to Suitable People: that minded children were left in sole care of other members of the household who were unknown to Ofsted and also that the provider maybe in breach of their conditions of registration. We carried out a visit and notices to improve were issued to ensure all records are easily accessible and available for inspection at all times and do not allow people whose suitability has not been checked to have unsupervised contact with children who are being cared for. The provider responded to Ofsted to confirm that suitable measures had been taken to meet the notices to improve. The provider remained suitable for registration at the time the investigations were closed.

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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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