Childminder in Bexley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY377459 Inspection date 20/01/2010 Inspector Sarah Morfett

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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 was registered in 2008. She lives with her three children all aged over eight in the Northumberland Heath area of Erith, Kent. 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 six children under eight at any one time and is currently minding two children in the early years age group and one child over five part time. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks/drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a dog and a rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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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 are cared for in a warm and friendly environment. They make choices about what they play with from a good range of activities that are age-appropriate and help to promote their stage of development. The childminder has a well developed knowledge of the children's individual needs and consequently promotes their welfare and learning well. Effective partnerships with parents are established which keep the parents informed of the children's learning and development. The childminder is positive in her approach to improvement spending time reflecting on her service and how she can move this forward. Therefore, she has an strong capacity for maintaining continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 implement a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, the date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Organisation) 25/01/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 use the observations and assessments to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child's individual needs. 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 arranges her home well so children can move freely and safely to access toys and resources. This means they can make independent choices about what they play with. The childminder implements suitable systems to ensure children are safe and secure. For example, she ensures that all safety equipment is in place and holds a current first aid certificate. Each day she checks the home and resources to ensure that all potential hazards are minimised. However, she has not yet implemented a system to record risk assessments. Most required paperwork is in place and maintained to a good standard. All children's details are recorded and reviewed regularly. This means that the childminder caters for the children's unique needs and supports their care and learning effectively.

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the early years provision

The childminder actively promotes equality and diversity within the setting. She gives high importance to ensuring all children can take part in all activities so adapts these to meet their individual needs. Children learn about their local community and the wider world through outings and activities which are aimed towards their level of understanding. The childminder believes that by answering children's questions openly and honestly ensures they begin to gain a positive understanding of diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder builds links with professionals and outside agencies to help ensure children's learning and development is complemented within her setting. Positive relationships with parents are established to ensure that they are suitably involved in all aspects of their child's care. Information about the children's well-being is shared through a daily journal and the childminder endeavours to provide full verbal feedback at least once a week. By establishing a good flow of communication children's individual needs are appropriately met.

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the early years provision

The childminder reflects on her practice to ensure that experiences for children are positive. She has clear aims for the progression of the children, making improvements in areas that will benefit the children most. For example, because her garden is small she makes the most of local parks and children’s centres to promote children's physical development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and well settled in the relaxed atmosphere of the childminder's home. A good range of toys and resources are available and cover the areas of learning well. The childminder uses effective teaching methods as she interacts with the children's play. She asks open questions making them think, and challenges them during activities. For example, as they play a matching game a child spontaneously starts to count the pairs she has collected, the childminder adapts quickly to this change and follows the child's lead. She expertly introduces the concept of more and less by asking meaningful questions. There is a good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 range of adult-led and child-led activities which contribute to meaningful learning experiences for children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has developed a system of observational assessment for the children where she records their well-being and achievements. However, these are not linked to the expectations of the early learning goals and she is not identifying learning priorities for the children's next steps in learning. This means she is unable to plan for children's individual needs within her future planning. However, the childminder demonstrates that she is aware of the children's abilities and where they are in relation to their starting points and with sufficient input the children move steadily forwards.

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and outcomes for children

Children are helped to feel safe and secure as the childminder ensures her home is suitable for them to play in and regularly checks toys and resources to keep them in good condition. A good range of written permissions are in place from parents and help to protect the children in the childminder's care. Children learn about safety rules when out of the home because the childminder teaches them road safety as they walk to and from school. They take part in fire drills which means they become familiar with the good safety procedure. Therefore, they learn to keep themselves safe.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a healthy lifestyle. They are provided with nutritious food each day and learn about good personal hygiene routines because they are encouraged to wash their hands before they eat. Effective measures are taken to prevent the spread of infection as children stay at home if they are unwell. They behave well because the childminder keeps them busy with fun activities. The childminder offers lots of praise and encouragement as they play helping to develop confidence and self-esteem. Overall, children are happy and settled and enjoy their time with the childminder. 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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