Childminder in BexleyOfsted inspection, 21 Oct 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 115739 Inspection date 21/10/2010 Inspector Debra Davey

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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 assesses 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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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 1996. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and 14 years, and their adult son. They live in a four bedroom terraced house in Northumberland Heath in the London borough of Bexley. The premises is close to public transport, schools and parks. All areas of the ground floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family have a pet cat, goldfish and rabbits who live outside. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight at any one time. There are currently five children attending in the early years age group. She also cares for children aged over five to 11 years. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and Bexley Childminding Network.

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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

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are safe because they are well supervised by the childminder and warm relationships are fostered to help children feel secure. The childminder communicates very well with children and this supports all areas of learning. Co-operation with parents forges strong partnerships which meets children's individual needs. The childminder has a commitment to her professional development and regular self-evaluation enables her to identify areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 include evaluation of each child's progress in current records to inform planning for their individual learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder is experienced and demonstrates a commitment to training that supports good practice. For example, she has completed a level 4 diploma in Childhood Studies which means that she is well informed about the Early Years Foundation Stage principals. Documentation is used well to promote safety using risk assessments, policies and good procedures for accident reporting.

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the early years provision

The home is clean and well organised which keeps children safe and healthy. Children are comfortable and feel safe due to the warm and affectionate approach, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 clear daily routine and close supervision of the childminder. A key strength is her ability to communicate well with children to encourage them to think and help them learn. This skill is further enhanced by the childminder attending training, such as 'Every child a talker' which supports verbal and non verbal communication with the children. A variety of themes and activities are planned for children on a monthly basis and evaluated to establish how well they went. This is further supported by a good range of resources which are rotated to provide constant interest.

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the early years provision

The childminder has started to record children's progress in the six areas of learning and is working towards evaluation of children's learning and planning for their individual next steps. Regular self-evaluation and discussions with her network co-ordinator have enabled the childminder to identify areas for development. In this way, she is constantly developing her reflective practice, consequently improvement since the last inspection have been good.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy enjoy their time in the childminder's home. For example, children who are new to the setting have settled very well and are clearly content in the company of the childminder. Children who have attended for longer are making progress, especially in their language skills, when they sing along to sings and rhymes and listen attentively to stories. Games are part of the daily routine such as children counting their buttons on their coats, shoes and steps. This makes learning fun and helps children to develop early numeracy skills. They have daily physical activity on outings and when using the garden for out door play. They enjoy looking at the goldfish, the cat and helping to feed the outdoor rabbits. Growing activities in the garden also help them to learn about the natural world and how to care for the environment. Creativity activity such as leaf collage, hand printing and cooking activities, are a regular feature of the planning. Children's

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and outcomes for children

artwork displayed in the home ensures that all children are valued and develop a sense of belonging. Children with additional language are included because the childminder learns key words when they first attend to help them feel at home. Children behave well due to the sensitive support of the childminder and they form secure attachments with other children attending.

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and outcomes for children

Partnerships with parents and others are good. Parents are valued and the childminder is happy to adapt her means of communication with them to best effect. Some parents prefer contact books for feedback and others use text or email. This flexible approach supports families well and effective communication improves outcomes for children. For example, parents have expressed their appreciation in letters and cards, expressing their thanks for fostering children's individual interests. Partnerships with others, such as the local children's centre are fostered well as children are taken to groups and activities on a regular basis. As a result, children enjoy a variety of experience and learn about the community in which they live. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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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