Childminder in Bexley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY316866 Inspection date 11/12/2009 Inspector Marcia Robinson

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged 19, 15 and 8 years in a semi-detached house in Bexley, Kent. The whole of the ground floor and a fully enclosed garden is available for childminding purposes. The family have goldfish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group, and of these, no more than one may be under one year. She is currently looking after three children in the early years age group on a part time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She 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

The childminder provides a warm and friendly environment for all children and their families. She has good relationships with parents and knows children's home lives and families very well. This ensures children are happy and safe within a setting where the childminder meets their individual requirements. She has started to implement her systems of self-evaluation and is keen to establish these further to ensure all areas of development are fully identified. She attends a variety of courses, she links with the childminding coordinator from the local authority and uses the internet to research different aspects of childcare, subscribing to related publications. Consequently, she is able to ensure continuous improvement is maintained.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to implement observation and assessment systems in order to fully identify learning experiences for each child across all areas of learning and enable parents to become part of the ongoing observation and assessment process to ensure they are fully involved with their child's learning.  ensure that there are resources and materials available to reflect the diversity and backgrounds of individual children

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the early years provision

The childminding day is well organised and supported by a comprehensive range of written policies and procedures. As an experienced and professional individual the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of safeguarding children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 issues and has all relevant referral contact details in place, which is supported by a clear written safeguarding children policy. Consequently, children’s safety and well- being are ensured. This is further supported by the childminder who conducts thorough risk assessments in her home and for outings as well as routine daily checks to effectively reduce the chance of accidental injury. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has procedures in place to obtain consent from parents for emergency medical treatment. This ensures that she could respond to accidents quickly and effectively. The childminder clearly articulates how she

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the early years provision

evaluates the learning and development opportunities she offers. She constantly reviews the resources available and is monitoring the planning of activities effectively to ensure children attending are challenged and inspired to have fun. Written feedback is gained from parents, through a system of questionnaires, which gives the childminder a broader view of the service she provides. The recommendations raised at the previous inspection have been positively addressed. Furthermore, children benefit from the knowledge gained by the childminder attending a range of courses, including workshops linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Safeguarding children and she is in the process of completing the NVQ level 3 in childcare which has led to significant improvements in practice and good outcomes for children. Space and resources are organised effectively. They are stored at child level and in accessible containers to enable

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the early years provision

children to make choices about their learning and play and to begin to develop increasing independence. Children access a wide and varied range of age- appropriate equipment, including outdoor apparatus and play resources which positively reflect the community in which they live.

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the early years provision

Good relationships with parents are highly beneficial to the continuity of care that the children receive. The childminder speaks to parents on a daily basis and emails them photographs of their children to ensure they are fully informed of the activities their children have enjoyed. This is complemented with written contact books. Parents can also access children’s profiles and acknowledge the skills the children are developing. The childminder ensures that information about children's progress and development is shared with parents, through discussion and regular review meetings; however, she has not yet fully established systems to incorporate parents as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process, to ensure they are fully involved with their child’s learning. The childminder has current experience of caring for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She therefore, demonstrates a positive attitude to working with parents and

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the early years provision

professionals to meet any specific requirements. Effective links are developing between other providers providing the EYFS to children. This has a positive impact on continuity of care and learning for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder plans a range of balanced activities and experiences that have clear links to the areas of learning. She promotes sharing and taking turns and provides consistent encouragement and praise to confirm children's achievements and behaviour. Children engage well with the childminder and enjoy her company, so their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 emotional wellbeing is very well supported. Children enjoy initiating their own play in addition to engaging in planned purposeful play. For instance, children engage in creative activities such as: painting, cutting, sticking, planting bulbs in the garden and watching them grow, reading books and joining in with a selection of action rhymes. Children particularly enjoy role play using a range of imaginative play resources. These activities are extended well by the childminder who joins in

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and outcomes for children

with their play, asking them open-ended questions to help them think. Children are further supported by a very good range of suitable play materials that are appropriate for the young children cared for and meet their individual developmental needs well. The systems in place to generate regular and planned discussion and understanding of diversity, differences, similarities and the wider community are generally satisfactory. Children have access to a selection of resources and play materials that reflect aspects of diversity, different cultures and disability. However, children's own cultures and backgrounds are not effectively reflected in the resources and materials available. The childminder knows children and their individual needs well, promoting very good relationships with all children. As a result children demonstrate very good levels of confidence and security.

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and outcomes for children

Children are welcomed into a clean and tidy home where they have good space to play both indoors and outdoors. They are learning, through demonstration and clear explanations, why it is important to wash their hands in order to maintain their good health and to prevent illness. For instance, children are developing their understanding of personal hygiene. They learn how to wash their hands, using liquid soap and by singing 'happy birthday' twice to ensure their hands are washed properly. Children enjoy nutritious and well balanced meals, snacks and drinks that are freshly prepared by the childminder who is an experienced chef. Menu plans are shared with parent's to ensure that children's needs and parents wishes are met. Children do not attend if they are sick which enables the childminder to protect others from illness. They enjoy physical play and have a variety of outdoor toys and resources to use in the rear garden. The childminder also takes them to

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and outcomes for children

local parks, where they can run about and enjoy exercise in the fresh air along with a variety of regular toddler groups. This provides children with lots of opportunities to socialise with their peers. Children are safeguarded well as the childminder’s home is secure at all times. This is supplemented with appropriate safety equipment, such as stair gates and socket covers, along with good levels of supervision at all times. All relevant documentation with regard to health, including specific dietary needs and consent forms, are in place and up to date. These positively safeguard children’s well-being. 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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