Childminder in Bexley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY344229 Inspection date 28/04/2010 Inspector Lara Hickson

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and three years. The family live in a three bedroom detached house in Northumberland Heath, Erith. The childminder uses the downstairs of her home for childminding purposes and she also uses an upstairs bedroom for sleeping purposes. Children use the lounge and extended dining room area for play activities and have supervised access to the enclosed rear garden for outdoor play activities. The home setting is within walking distance of many local amenities including several parks, a library, pre-schools, a leisure centre and has good transport links.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for five children, four of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder is a network childminder and is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). The childminder has a degree in Early Childhood Studies and completes regular training courses to enhance her knowledge of the childcare field.

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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 effectively supports the welfare and developmental needs of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She ensures that she plans activities to meet each child's individual needs and stages of development, and that these effectively cover the six areas of learning. Children are making excellent progress because the childminder knows the children extremely well and demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder continually identifies ways to improve aspects of her provision and is committed to attending further training in order to maintain continuous improvement. All required documentation is in place and there are comprehensive policies and procedures that underpin her childminding practice. Children are safe and secure within the provision because the childminder has implemented effective safety measures.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 extend planning and observation systems further to clearly highlight next steps of development. 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 comprehensive policies and procedures in place to underpin her childminding practices and these reflect current legislation and are reviewed regularly. Children are safeguarded extremely well in the provision due to the childminder's excellent understanding of her role and responsibility for recording and reporting concerns in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. She regularly updates her knowledge with regard to child protection, through the attendance of training courses.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a very good understanding about how to help children feel and keep safe. For example, she uses outings in the local community and to local amenities to reinforce children's understanding of road safety and stranger awareness. Extensive risk assessments are in place and include the home setting, garden area and outings enjoyed with the children. The childminder reviews these periodically to ensure that any hazards are kept to a minimum. This ensures children's safety is fully promoted. An emergency plan is in place and fire drills are completed regularly to ensure that all children are aware of the procedure and can evacuate safely from the setting if an emergency arises. Records of fire drills include any problems encountered and information that the childminder has discussed with children to reinforce their understanding. For example, the childminder recently noted that one child needs to be reminded to walk during the

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the early years provision

fire practices. The childminder checks her smoke detectors regularly to ensure that they remain in appropriate working order and records full details of these.

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the early years provision

A wide range of resources and activities are available for children to enjoy, and the childminder ensures children are only able to access resources suitable for their individual age and stage of development. Resources and activities can generally be safely and independently selected as the childminder stores them at low level in toy boxes and baskets. She rotates these regularly following requests from children as currently the extensive range is stored in the garage area.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a very positive attitude towards ongoing training and development. She has comprehensive systems in place to evaluate her provision and does this in conjunction with her Network coordinator to ensure she continues to meet children's welfare and learning requirements. The childminder has a formal written self-evaluation system where she outlines how she meets children's needs. She has improved her practice through the completion of additional training courses and by ensuring that all previous recommendations are thoroughly met. The self-evaluation system is reflective of the childminder's practice and identifies areas within the setting that she plans to develop further. For example, the childminder plans to complete some additional courses regarding special educational needs and would like to complete the Early Years Professional Status. The childminder also discusses her childminding practices with other

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the early years provision

childminders and uses publications such as 'Who Minds' to extend ideas for her provision. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of how children learn and develop. She follows the ethos of the Early Years Foundation Stage that learning through play is individual to each child. She takes the interests and learning styles of each individual child into consideration when planning activities. She also uses observations on each child and her knowledge of the different stages of development to inform her planning.

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and outcomes for children

During play activities the childminder introduces new vocabulary and aspects of colour, number and shape. For example, when children are making animal masks she discusses the different colours children are using and reinforces colours to those children who are still in the process of learning them. The childminder supports and enhances children's learning and uses open ended questioning techniques to encourage language and vocabulary. She supports children's language development positively, encouraging children's self-esteem and confidence. For example, when a child says 'to djy' instead of 'to dry' the childminder smiles and says 'yes we will put it to dry'. The childminder encourages children's creativity through various art and craft activities, music and role play. Children learn about their own and other cultures through the celebration of different festivals throughout the year such as Diwali, St Patrick's Day and Chinese

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted extremely well within the setting. Children have opportunities to participate in physical activities on a daily basis in both the garden area and at local parks. There is an extensive range of outdoor play equipment available to enhance children's climbing and motor skills. The childminder has a valid paediatric first aid qualification ensuring that she can provide appropriate first aid treatment in the event of an accident. Any accidents are appropriately recorded in an accident book and parents are asked to sign any entries relating to their child as confirmation that they have been informed. All medication administered to minded children is accurately recorded and authorised by parents. Children are developing a very good awareness of their own personal hygiene, for example, they are aware of the need to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. On occasions the childminder uses gentle reminders to extend children's

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and outcomes for children

personal hygiene further, for example she reminds a child to put her hand over her mouth when coughing.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a very positive attitude towards inclusion and diversity. Resources are accessible and available for all children to experience and include a wide range including positive images of diversity, including resources reflecting culture, language, religion and disability. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards additional needs and has systems in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She is currently completing the 'Every child a talker course' and is using this to extend how she communicates with children in her setting and enhances their speech and language development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has developed positive relationships with parent/carers and ensures that they are fully informed of their child's progress and development through daily verbal feedback and where required a written contact book. The

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and outcomes for children

childminder shares observations, tracker books and photographic evidence regarding children's progress and development with parents. She demonstrates a very clear understanding of children's next steps regarding progress although currently this is not recorded. The childminder and parents liaise effectively, which enables individual needs and requirements to be met. The childminder has built very effective links with other agencies delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses this information to compliment what children are learning at their different settings. The childminder completes records of transfer when children go on to school or start at pre-school/nursery settings. 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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