Childminder in Bromley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY101248 Inspection date 11/03/2010 Inspector Christine Lynne Hodge

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and four years, in a four-bedroom detached house in Orpington. The whole of downstairs, two bedrooms and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Family pets include a dog, rabbit, guinea pig and a hamster. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register, to care for a maximum of five children under eight years. There are currently three part-time children in the early years age group on roll. The childminder 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder's immense knowledge of the individual children in her care, together with her very good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), ensures that children make excellent progress across all areas of their learning and development. Children's safety and health is given high priority and is clearly underpinned by comprehensive policies and procedural documents which are shared with parents. The childminder uses self-evaluation very effectively to ensure continuous improvement and demonstrates a clear commitment to attending further training to support this aim.

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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 develop areas for improvement identified on the self-evaluation form

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a caring and professional approach to childminding. Children's safety is given utmost priority. The childminder regularly updates her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and has comprehensive safeguarding policies and procedures in place for protecting children, which are shared with parents. Thorough risk assessments are completed on the home, outside area and equipment to identify any possible hazards. Safety precautions in place, include a fire extinguisher, fire blanket, two smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide detector which are checked on a weekly basis. A fire ladder located in the upstairs bathroom can be used for emergency evacuation if needed. The childminder regularly practices fire drills with children and on outings teaches them This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about road safety and stranger danger. The computer which children have access

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the early years provision

to is monitored and has been installed with Net Nanny to avoid children being able to access unsuitable websites/chat sites. All required documentation is in place, well maintained and carefully stored to maintain confidentiality.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are extremely well established. An extensive portfolio provides prospective parents with detailed information about all aspects of the childminder's practice. Questionnaires completed by parents when children first start at the setting, provide the childminder with extensive information about each child's individual welfare and learning needs. The childminder works closely with parents to share information about children's daily routines and progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through contact/daily diaries, observation records, photographs and developmental record albums. She also works closely with teachers of the schools and pre-schools to which any of the children attend, to ensure continuity in children's learning.

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the early years provision

The setting offers children a spacious, stimulating, inclusive environment, rich in posters, pictures and children's art work. The homely, comfortable playroom provides them with independent access to an extensive range of books and play resources covering all six areas of learning and which include many positive image resources to help children learn about difference. As a result children make choices and are encouraged to be active and independent learners. The childminder demonstrates a high level of commitment to provide good quality care and continually improve outcomes for children. She makes very good use of self- evaluation, uses information from parent questionnaires and attends regular training courses in order to identify and maintain continuous improvement. The childminder is planning to amend her system for observation and assessment and has highlighted a number of training courses she intends to complete.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely relaxed and settled in the childminder's care and eagerly take part in the wide range of adult-led and child-initiated activities provided. They relate well to the childminder, who is warm and responsive and demonstrates a very good understanding of their individual needs and preferences. The childminder knows the children well and supports them fully to make excellent progress across all areas of their learning and development, even though she only cares for them on a part time basis. She observes children through play and spending time with them during activities. The information gained about their interests, skills and abilities is used to plan activities, which engage them and help them make progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure because the childminder builds their confidence through familiar routines, continually encouraging their independence and is consistently available to join in activities and extend their learning. She promotes their language development by continually talking and asking questions to encourage their listening and thinking skills. Children confidently choose activities and organise their play, encouraging adults participation. For example, during the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 inspection the childminder and inspector are encouraged to take part in a game of hide and seek, taking turns to hide and find a number of small objects. The game involves lots of counting as the objects are gradually found and great fun is had by all. Children have access to a wide selection of books and enjoy listening to stories read to them by the childminder. They are beginning to learn that phonic-letters

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and outcomes for children

make up words which they begin to recognise. Children have free access to an extensive range of art and craft materials to encourage their creativity. They enjoy dressing up and role play, singing familiar songs and musical instruments. The childminder uses activities and routines effectively to encourage children to count and to recognise numbers, shapes, colours and letters. Children take part in problem solving, matching and sorting activities. They enjoy learning about the natural world through planting activities, helping to care for the family rabbit, guinea pig and dog and on outings to the woods, park and farms. The childminder helps children to understand and respect difference by providing positive image pictures, posters, books and play resources and celebrating various festivals.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles. The childminder encourages them to take part in regular physical activity and exercise, playing outside in the well equipped garden and on walks to and from school. She talks to children about good hygiene practice and helps them to become aware of the importance of hand washing after playing outside, touching pets, after going to the toilet and before handling food and eating. Individual hand towels, hung on individual hooks, are provided in the downstairs toilet, along with anti-bacterial soap and a poster to remind children about hand washing. Children are encouraged to make healthy choices about what they eat and drink and to try new foods. Water and sugar free juice is available for them to help themselves to and fresh fruit, vegetables and healthy snacks are provided daily. The childminder promotes good behaviour by giving children lots of praise and encouragement and by providing them with many

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and outcomes for children

opportunities to develop their independent skills. As a result children are happy, confident and well behaved. 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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