The Longfield Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 132477 Inspection date 02/11/2009 Inspector Rufia Uddin

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 1999. She lives with her two children aged 12 and 16 years. They live in a house in Becton in the London borough of Newham, within walking distance of a few local shops. All areas of the property except the main bedroom are 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 a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently minding three children in the early years age range and one child under eight years of age. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children have settle quickly, feel safe, are confident and well occupied. They have a sense of belonging and are progressing well in all areas of learning and development. The childminder meets the needs of all children in her care and responds to them in a positive manner. A good partnership with parents has developed and communication with them is detailed. Written policies and procedures contribute to smooth running of the setting. The childminder has completed self-evaluation and has identified areas for improvement. She has addressed the recommendations from the last inspection and has therefore demonstrated a capacity to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out appropriate maintaintence, in particular by making repairs to the garden fence and kitchen floor, to ensure the suitablity of the premises and environment  develop the links between sensitive observational assessments and the general planning of activities that include children’s interests, so that all children’s individual needs continue to be met.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a suitable awareness about how to keep children safe in her care. She has completed detailed risk assessments which cover the environment that children come into contact with. Risk assessments are completed for individual This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outings which help the childminder keep children safe when away from the premises. Although some of the tiling on the kitchen floor needs repairing necessary precautions around the home are in place, such as safety gates and locked doors which help keep children safe as they play. The childminder has regularly practised fire evacuation procedures with children and keeps records of these. The childminder has an appropriate policy in place for safeguarding children. She demonstrates a clear understanding about the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about children in her care and keeps clear records

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the early years provision

of children's existing injures. Clear accident records are kept and shared with parents on the day. The childminder has all necessary parental permissions in place. Children are also safeguarded from harm because the childminder has a good understanding about her role and responsibilities with regard to protecting children in her care. She knows how to implement her own child protection policies and the Local Safeguarding Children Board's procedures. Procedures are developed and discussed with parents relating to the collection of children, arrangements for their care in an emergency situation and for lost and uncollected children.

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the early years provision

Resources are used well to help children learn and develop. They are easily accessible and there is a good balanced selection. The childminder is aware of the need to work in partnership with other providers in order to provide continuity and progression for the child. Good partnerships with parents have developed and detailed information is shared with them verbally and through a daily diary. Parental permissions are in place and authorised people to collect children are recorded. Parent's comments are requested by the childminder through questionnaires. Parents spoken to speak highly of the childminder and how she has helped their child to settle. They are full of praise for the commitment of the childminder and her caring attitude towards the children. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They secure in the childminder's care and have good opportunities to learn about the world around them. They confidently choose from

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the early years provision

the toys and activities on offer. Children explore their local community as they go for walks, visit the park and farms. They have access to a variety of books and toys designed to increase their awareness of diversity and the wider world including books, posters, dolls and small world people. This helps them develop a positive attitude towards others.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy in the childminder's care. They are busy, curious and enjoy investigating the resources that are available to them. Children have good opportunities to play, have fun and learn and develop new skills. They confidently ask the childminder for help to complete a floor alphabet puzzle and enthusiastically help to tidy up. The childminder asks clear open questions to help children learn and think. Children enjoy exploring the world around them through well planned outings, walks and garden play. Children are encouraged to share, take turns and interact with each other as they play. Children enjoy looking at books with the childminder and alone. They enjoy taking part in singing and dancing along to music with the childminder. Children are developing skills for the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 future. They investigate using binoculars and develop their early technology skills

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and outcomes for children

as they work out which buttons to press to make an electronic game work. Children benefit from a good balance between adult and child-led activities and are given choices throughout the day. Children benefit from regular opportunities to be creative. They enjoy role play and have opportunities to draw with chalk and paint and are learning to recognise numbers and colours. Colour and shape posters are displayed to make the lounge welcoming to children and to encourage them to talk about the different objects shown. The childminder helps the children to progress at their own pace as she has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. The childminder has begun to carry out written observations. However, these are not evaluated sufficiently to inform her about how the children are progressing or to identify how she can help them to reach the next stage in their learning. Despite this the childminder is able to

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and outcomes for children

demonstrate, verbally and through planned activities, an understanding of how she can challenge children. The childminder has compiled a scrapbook of photographs showing the children enjoying a variety of activities such as painting and playing outside. She shares this with parents to involve them in their child's time with the childminder. The childminder also provides a daily diary to all parents detailing children's sleeps, what and how much they have eaten and nappy changes, helping to successfully promote continuity of care and strong partnerships with parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a warm welcoming childminding home. Although minor repairs need to be made to the fence, children benefit from opportunities to be active in the garden. Children's health is promoted well, for example, hygiene in the childminder's home is maintained to a good standard. The children routinely wash their hands after playing and before eating and talk about why personal hygiene is important. This promotes opportunities for them to learn about self- care. Suitable first aid arrangements are in place. The childminder has completed a relevant paediatric first aid training course, to ensure she knows what to do if there is an accident. Some parents choose to provide their children's food and this is stored, prepared and heated appropriately. The childminder's menus are nutritious and children enjoy eating fruit at snack times and were observed eating a healthy nutritious lunch. The childminder ensures children are able to easily

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and outcomes for children

access fresh drinking water and their drinking cups are within easy reach for them. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

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

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