Childminder in Bromley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 405550 Inspection date 15/03/2010 Inspector Rebecca Hurst

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 1992. The childminder lives with her husband and two adult children. They live in a three bedroom house. Shops, schools, parks and stations are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and two bedrooms upstairs are used for sleeping arrangements. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The family have two cats and a gold fish. The childminder is part of Bromley Mencap and also cares for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is currently caring for seven children and of those five are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder may care for no more than six children under eight years; of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group, and of these, not more than one may be under one year at any one time. The childminder may also leave an assistant alone with children for short periods of time providing that the arrangements are agreed and confirmed in writing by parents and the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Childcare Register continue to be met.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The excellent knowledge of each child's individual needs ensures that the childminder promotes all aspects of the children's welfare and learning with great success. The children are safe and secure at all times in the care of the childminder and they enjoy learning about their local area and the world around them. The partnership with parents is a key strength and this helps to contribute significantly that the needs of all of the children are being met. Children are making excellent progress, given their age, ability and their starting points. Regular self-evaluation by the childminder ensures that any priorities for future development are promptly identified and acted upon, which results in a service that is responsive to the needs of the parents.

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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 assess training needs to further enhance the development of the children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Safeguarding children is paramount to the childminder. Comprehensive policies and procedures are in place to protect the children from harm and neglect. The childminder has a thorough understanding of child protection issues and the steps to follow against an allegation of abuse. Full risk assessments are carried out on the home and for outings. Well thought out emergency evacuation procedures are in place which keep the children safe in an emergency and are carried out on a regular basis. All adults in the home have full Criminal Records Bureau checks recorded. As a result, children are thoroughly protected from harm.

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the early years provision

Children learn about diversity and equality by informative and educational activities arranged by a knowledgeable childminder. The children enjoy learning about different festivals and celebrations from around the world. The children learn about Chinese New Year, Easter, Christmas, Holi and other festivals. The childminder makes excellent use of the information on the children's registration forms and consults with the parents what celebrations they would like the children to participate in from their own backgrounds. Children's learning of independent skills are enhanced through the careful placement of resources and activities around the setting to allow for self selection.

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the early years provision

The childminder has excellent partnership with the parents of the children and with outside agencies. The childminder shares all of the observations and portfolios of the children with the parents. The childminder completes comprehensive files on the children which allows the parents to see the progress they are making. The parents receive detailed daily feedback about the day the children have had. Parents are kept informed throughout the time their child spends at the setting. This builds extremely effective bonds and children benefit greatly from this. The childminder has a very good working relationship with the local Mencap worker. They work together to ensure the needs of the children are paramount and that they are progressing well with their development.

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the early years provision

The childminder and her assistant are driven to improve their knowledge and understanding of child care practice through further training opportunities. The childminder encourages all parents and children to have an active voice through informative questionnaires and these are included in the self-evaluation process. As a result, the childminder's practice is responsive to all of its users.

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and outcomes for children

The children are extremely happy and settled at the childminder's. This is due to the warmth and care the childminder provides to all children in her care. The childminder is proactive in ensuring the children are progressing with their development, by making detailed written assessments. These assessments are linked to the six areas of learning and include the next steps to progress the children with their development. These assessments allow the childminder to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 maximise the children's potential in learning through recognising the future learning she needs to carry out with them.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder works very well with the local schools and ensures she uses the children's individual education plans to plan an excellent range of activities which fully promote their learning. The childminder will chase the local schools if she has not had the children's up dated individual education plans. This ensures she is most up to date with the children's development and is fully able to progress the children's development and learning. As a result, all children are making excellent progress given their age, starting points and their abilities.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans her time well. She has long term plans in place which show what themes the children will be learning over the year. The childminder then has weekly plans in place which are fed by the interests of the children and from the long term planning. Planning is flexible and the childminder will change the planning to reflect the interests of the children. This allows for child initiated activities which children are thoroughly interested in. The children enjoy learning about the world around them through meaningful trips into the local area. This ensures that learning is not confined to the home but they learn in all environments. This makes it fun and exciting for the children and they look forward to these trips.

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and outcomes for children

Children's acquisition of independence skills is nurtured as all activities are boxed and have labels with words and pictures, for children to learn early word recognition. Children pick and choose which activities they would like to play with and the childminder teaches the children the importance of putting away finished activities before new ones come out. This ensures children are aware of safety and trip hazards as well as how resources should be stored. Stair gates are also in place to stop children reaching areas without adult supervision. This further teaches the children about safety.

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and outcomes for children

Children are taught about the importance of personal hygiene throughout their day at the childminder's. Children are protected from cross infection and contamination through well thought out hygiene procedures. Children are well aware of the hand washing routine and do not have to be reminded to wash hands before meals. Children also remind the childminder about the need to brush their teeth after having meals as well. Children have well planned meals which more than meet the dietary requirements of the children. The childminder has comprehensive medical plans in place for children with severe allergies and ensures she carries the plans with her at all times and checks visitors that come into the home have not eaten the allergen before they have come into the home. This ensures children are thoroughly protected from harm.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder teaches the children the differences between right and wrong and the importance of sharing. This is all done at an age-appropriate level so all children are able to understand. Consequently children are well behaved. The childminder uses makaton with all of the children in her care. The younger ones watch the programme 'Something Special', which aids their learning of makaton. The childminder encourages all of the children to communicate using this. This ensures that she provides an inclusive service. This is due to some children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 attending the childminder's having special educational needs and disabilities and they communicate using this form of sign language. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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