Childminder in Bexley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY390367 Inspection date 09/11/2009 Inspector Beryl Witheridge

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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 was registered in 2009. She lives with her husband and two school aged children in Welling. 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding one child in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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Description of the childminding

She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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

The childminder cares for the children as individuals according to their own needs. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure that children receive continuity of care. She carries out observations and assessments of the children and links these to the six areas of learning. This enables the childminder to identify the children's next steps and move them forward at their own pace. The written future planning is not fully linked to these next steps. The childminder evaluates her provision and is able to identify areas for improvement. She is very pro-active about undertaking training so as not to become stale and to keep herself up to date with all new practices. Overall, an inclusive and welcoming service is provided.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain a regular two-way flow of information, knowledge and expertise between parents and practitioners, to help support and extend children’s learning and development  use the systematic observations and assessments of children’s achievements, interests and learning styles to plan relevant and motivating play experiences for each child  encourage children to learn about diversity and differences through appropriately planned activities which helps them to value and respect others. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. She has undertaken updated safeguarding training to ensure her policies, procedures and practices reflect the most recent information. She is clear on possible signs and symptoms of abuse and has a sound knowledge of the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child in her care. To ensure parents are aware of her role and responsibilities she shares all her written information and documentation with them. This ensures that children are well protected. All adults who work in the house are suitable to do so and hold current Criminal Record Bureau checks (CRB). The home environment is regularly risk assessed and immediate measures are taken to ensure hazards are minimised and there is a clear written record in place. Written risk assessments are also undertaken for each and every outing to ensure children are safe and secure at all

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good working relationship with parents. All parents receive a copy of the written policies and procedures. The childminder has daily feedback with parents and has shared the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) documentation with them. Parents share the starting point for their child with the childminder. The observations and assessments are carried out regularly; the childminder links these and the activity to the EYFS, she supports this with photos of the activity. The childminder also identifies what the child needs to do next and what she expects her to achieve from this although the future planning is not in writing. She has undertaken an 'Introduction to the EYFS' course and covered basic planning on this but it is not currently in place. She has not yet shared the observations and assessments with the parents although she does talk to them on a daily basis what their child is doing.

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the early years provision

The childminder is focussed on improving and developing her provision. She is constantly looking at ways to move forward. She has not completed the self- evaluation form regarding her service but is able to identify areas she wishes to improve and how she can do this. She is very pro-active about her training and is enthusiastic about learning and developing her own knowledge to enable her to provide a better service for parents and children.

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the early years provision

Children have opportunities to learn about the world around them through regular trips to the park and places of local interest. The childminder has identified the need to extend the resources and opportunities which provide the children with more positive images of the wider world and introducing them to different countries and cultures from around the world.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is an experienced childcarer and has a good understanding of how children learn and develop. Children are provided with a wide range of resources This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 which are challenging, stimulating and enjoyable and enable them to develop their progress in all areas of learning. Children are also able to make decisions about what they would like to do. They have free access to the toys and equipment which helps to encourage their independence. The childminder gets to know the children well and works with parents to identify their starting points and plan for their future needs. Activities are organised according to children's next steps, their needs and individual interests. The childminder spends her time talking, listening and playing with the children, giving them opportunities to practise and extend their developing skills. The interaction between the childminder and the children is

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and outcomes for children

close, comfortable, caring and affectionate.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is fully considered through a well organised and safe environment. Children regularly take part in emergency evacuation practices, all of which are recorded. These records clearly record how well the evacuation has gone including children's reactions to it. They are taught road safety and stranger danger, according to their age and understanding, when they are out of the house so they know how to keep themselves safe.

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and outcomes for children

Children that attend are provided with regular drinks. Parents currently supply the food for their children. The childminder has a good food policy; she provides a sample menu all of meals which would be cooked from fresh for the children. She has identified activities to encourage healthy eating such as letting children help to prepare the food, encouraging them to try new foods and tastes, and growing fruit in the garden which they can pick for themselves. She is undertaking a cooking course with her own children to encourage them to think about healthy eating and will extend this to work with the minded children. The children also understand the importance of personal hygiene routines and have their own flannel and towel to prevent cross infection. Outdoor play in the garden using suitable age appropriate equipment, trips to local parks, places of interest and singing and dancing activities all help to promote children's physical development. One minded child loves

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and outcomes for children

singing nursery rhymes and eagerly climbs onto the childminder's lap to sing her favourite songs, joining in with the actions with great enthusiasm.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children's behaviour by setting a good example for them; she is an excellent role model. She encourages children to be responsible for their own behaviour. They benefit from lots of praise and encouragement which teaches them to look for attention in a positive way. Children are provided with effective learning opportunities in a safe, child orientated environment. 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 3 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 3 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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