Forde, Barbara

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY332558 Inspection date 15/09/2010 Inspector Silvia Richardson

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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 2006. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She registered to care a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age group. There are currently three children on roll in the early years age group. Children attend on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and their 10 year old son. The childminder's husband is registered as the childminder's assistant. They live in a house in Bickley, in the London borough of Bromley, close to shops, a park, library and public transport links. There is suitable disabled access. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family keep fish in an enclosed tank as pets. 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy a superb range of exciting and stimulating activities that help them make rapid progress towards the early learning goals. The principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage are at the heart of the setting, so that positive relationships and enabling environments are facilitating outstanding achievements and enjoyment for all children. The childminder has not fully evaluated her provision but is driven by strong relationships with parents and carers and positive feedback from them demonstrating a good capacity for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 self-evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the provision, identifying and setting priorities for continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded in the setting because the childminder keeps a file of reference information regarding what to look out for and what to do if she is worried about a child. She has a child protection policy which includes recording and reporting procedures. Her written risk assessment is thorough and includes This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 details of how she keeps children safe on outings and visits to places of interest. Parents and carers are fully informed of risk assessments and provide written consent for their children to take part in activities outside of the setting, promoting strong partnerships. The childminder provides inclusive play and learning experiences, ensuring all children are able to participate in activities. She values the uniqueness of each child, developing individual portfolios, so that each child has a comprehensive record of their progress and achievements. Resources are

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the early years provision

exceptionally well organised so that each child makes choices of activities of particular interest to them. The dedicated playroom is providing an exciting and stimulating environment, effectively supporting individual learning needs. The childminder drives improvement through her commitment to providing a wealth of learning experiences. She actively researches resources to support children's specific interests and to provide a wide variety of different experiences.

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the early years provision

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved safety outcomes by making all cleaning materials inaccessible to children and securing the fire blanket in the kitchen for use in an emergency. The childminder has made much progress from her own starting points, although has not yet formally evaluated for herself the strengths and weaknesses of her provision, so as to set and steer clear priorities for continuous improvement. The childminder engages well with parents and carers, providing them with a wealth of information, both written and photographic, regarding children's activities and achievements. Children's learning journey's are attractively presented, so that parents and carers have a clear visual image of children's play and learning experiences. They regularly exchange texts, picture messages and email, sharing new developments and children's acquisition of new words and skills. The childminder values parents and carers' feedback, so

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the early years provision

that she can ensure she is effectively meeting their needs and wishes. She is using questionnaires to ascertain parents and carers' overall satisfaction with childminding arrangements, inviting comments and suggestions for improvement. The childminder is organised and efficient with record keeping, promoting accountability and the welfare of all the children in the setting. She engages effectively with other agencies, such as the pre-school nursery, so that they work together in identifying and meeting children's learning and development needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children are enjoying rich learning experiences across all six areas of learning, tailored to their individual needs, helping them make rapid progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder is constantly available to the children, talking to them and playing with them, effectively supporting their interests and ideas. Children's learning experiences are enhanced by a broad range of outings and visits to museums, farms, zoos and parks, bringing learning to life and facilitating a positive disposition to learning. They enjoy using a wide variety of resources in the setting enabling them to acquire and practise new skills. The childminder observes children well and gets to know their likes and interests through close relationships. Where a child has a specific interest, such as doing puzzles, the childminder keeps a photographic record and charts the child's development in this area from starting

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 points to present time, demonstrating emerging skills to the development of more challenging experiences. Observations across all areas of learning are systematically recorded and steer planning for next steps. Attainments are matched to the expectations of the early learning goals, ensuring there are no gaps in children's learning. Children are developing a broad range of skills for the future, through mark-making, creative and problem solving activities. They take part in community activities, mixing with other children, so that they develop social skills and an understanding of different cultures and lifestyles. Children are encouraged to share, take turns and practise good manners, through the childminder providing a strong role model for them.

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and outcomes for children

Children are adopting a healthy lifestyle through taking part in outside activities, such as visits to the park and walking to and from school. The enjoy a broad range of activities in the rear garden, such as using the bouncy castle, climbing, sliding and riding bikes, helping them to enjoy and appreciate the benefits of exercise to their health. They enjoy nutritionally balanced meals and snacks and are offered healthy choices, such as fruit, vegetables and milk or water to drink. Children's health and welfare is promoted well through the childminder's careful attention to medical needs. Children feel safe with the childminder and her assistant because relationships are warm and trusting. Children exude confidence and a real sense of belonging because the childminder creates a safe, secure, enabling environment. Cosy arrangements are in place for children to enjoy restful sleep, each having their own little bed set out in the living area where the childminder is watchful.

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and outcomes for children

Familiar routines are enabling children to feel secure and the outstanding range of play and learning experiences means that their enjoyment and achievements are exceptional. Activities include learning about differences, such as talking about and colouring a picture of a child using Braille. Children help prepare and sample foods from difference countries and cultures, such as naan bread and Mexican dishes. Children's own linguistic backgrounds are valued and they take part in activities supporting a positive identity, while also learning other languages, such a French, through words and pictures. 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 1 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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