Childminder in Bromley

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY297950 Inspection date 30/03/2010 Inspector Elizabeth Ellen Mackey

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2005. She lives in the London Borough of Bromley, with her husband and three children, twins aged five years and a three-year-old. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and an upstairs bedroom, which provides additional play space for older children. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play. There are schools, pre-schools and toddler groups within the local area, as well as parks, shops, a library and leisure facilities.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered for a maximum of three children at any one time, of whom two may be in the early years. She is presently caring for one child in the early years age group. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. She is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register as well as the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder ensures that children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are cared for in a very safe and stimulating environment. The childminder has implemented most required policies to underpin her service. The childminder provides a wide range of activities that meets children's interests and promotes their development, across the six areas of learning. There are generally effective systems in place to ensure daily communication with parents on children's individual needs and their learning. Children's progress is documented and shared with parents. The childminder is reflective of her practice and has begun to identify the strengths and weakness of her provision. She has recently attending training on how to complete the self-evaluation to enable her to develop her practice effectively.

p.4

further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.4

further?

 devise and implement a lost child policy (Safeguarding and Welfare) 09/04/2010

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 enhance the process of evaluating practice by assessing what is on offer against challenging and robust criteria  include the information received from parents about children's development This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 as a starting point in their learning journey  increase children's opportunities to link sounds and words, for example, through labelling familiar items

p.4

the early years provision

Children are kept safe and their well-being is promoted by the childminder. Most of the records, policies and procedures that are required to promote the children's welfare are in place. The childminder provides details of her policies in writing, so parents can access them. However, the childminder has not devised a lost child policy and has not included in her policy the procedures for an uncollected child. The childminder is confident in the procedures she would follow if she has any safeguarding children concerns, these procedures, along with all of the childminder's polices are shared with parents before children attend. All adults in the home have been suitably vetted and have been deemed suitable to have access to the children. A record of all visitors is maintained.

p.5

the early years provision

The children mainly use the living room of the home, which is effectively organised to enable children to self-select from the wide range of activities. The childminder has conducted and recorded detailed risk assessments to identify and minimise any potential hazards to the children. These include areas in the home and garden, different outings and any activities where there is a degree of risk, for example, children using scissors. The childminder practices emergency evacuation with the children and evacuation procedures are displayed. The childminder promotes children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe through enabling them to gradually build their autonomy and confidence in the setting. The childminder updates her knowledge through attending relevant training and she has recently renewed her first aid qualification.

p.5

the early years provision

Children demonstrate an extremely strong sense of security in the setting, despite being new to the setting. All children are valued and engage in a wide range of activities that helps them to learn about the many different cultures in our society. For example, the childminder promotes children's awareness of disability, by providing resources that reflect people with a disability and teaching the children basic sign language to promote their awareness of people who have hearing loss. The childminder has developed effective communication systems to enhance partnership with parents and other settings children may attend. Information regarding children's progress prior to attending the setting has been obtained; however it does not form part of the learning journey record, which means children's initial progress is less measurable. The childminder is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of her provision, and the systems of evaluation to help

p.5

the early years provision

identify targets for future improvement, are in the early stages. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children benefit from an excellent range of resources, experiences and activities. The childminder is very well organised in her planning and demonstrates a secure knowledge of the learning and development requirements. Activities are very well- planned, the childminder is resourceful and has a wealth of good ideas to engage children. Pertinent observations link to early learning goals, which provide a focus for the next steps in children's learning, in partnership with parents. Children are settled and eagerly engage in the wide range of activities available. They participate well and are able to concentrate for a long period, for example, when using craft materials to make pictures of spring lambs and chicks. The childminder demonstrates an outstanding understanding of the children as individuals and provides activities accordingly, so they offer appropriate challenge. Children are able to explore and select resources independently. Many resources are stored at

p.6

and outcomes for children

their level, but these are not labelled to help extend children's understanding that print carries meaning. Children benefit from a welcoming environment where good relationships with the childminder and her family have been established. As a result, children feel safe and secure in the childminder's care. They are aware of the expectations and boundaries in place. For example, they are extremely capable of making their needs known. They demonstrate an extremely good understanding of the boundaries and expectations in place. This enhances their sense of security and belonging.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder gives meaningful praise and encouragement to children. Their efforts are acknowledged and their artwork is carefully displayed. This builds children's self-esteem and confidence well. As a result, children make exceptional progress in their personal, social and emotional development. Daily outdoor play and activities are included in the routine and children benefit from plenty of fresh air and physical activity, promoting their understanding of healthy life styles. Outings are also included, including a daily walk to school, trips to playgroup, music group and visits to the park and woods. Children practice good hygiene routines, for example, washing their hands before they eat and when coming in from the garden and understand why this is so important. Children sit together at meal times, making it a social occasion, which promotes their language and social skills. The childminder encourages healthy eating by providing freshly cooked

p.6

and outcomes for children

meals and talking with the children about why they need healthy foods. Children recognise this, they point to a poster on the wall which promotes healthy eating; they identify that they have some of the same food on their plate. This helps them to develop and understanding of the importance of choosing healthy options for snacks and meals and a practical, meaningful way.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children develop their understanding of the world they live in through the extensive activities planned for them. Children use their own initiative and they are inquisitive, showing a great desire to explore. The childminder is very aware of this and makes the most of opportunities that occur naturally, for example, when the children are playing in the garden they are fascinated to see a queen bee. The childminder follows their interests, answering their questions and asking them questions about what they can see. She uses a magnifying box to put the bee in so This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the children can look closer without risk. The children are so excited by this, and one child describes the bee as being "really lovely". Children have excellent communication skills and they use mathematical language as they play, for example, big, small, and the childminder offers suggestions to extend their

p.6

and outcomes for children

problem solving skills. Children develop their independence, they put on their Wellington boots and coat before going out in the garden, using their recently acquired knowledge of the left and right to enable them to put the boots on independently. The childminder and children enjoy reading books together and singing familiar rhymes. The children demonstrate they have an excellent understanding of books conveying meaning, as they point to the pictures and words as the story is told. Children benefit from a good range of modern technology toys, such as, a computer, camera, toy mobile phones, which they use to "call the childminder". They are confident communicators and their progress in communicating, literacy and skills relating to information and technology are developing extremely well. As a result, they develop good skills for the future. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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 3 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

p.8

Stage

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

p.8

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 2

p.8

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9