Childminder in Bromley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY386066 Inspection date 01/10/2010 Inspector Rebecca Hurst

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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 registered in 2008. She lives with her husband and their two daughters aged five and four years. The family live in a residential area of Bromley. The whole of the property is suitable to be used for minding with the exception of the second floor. Minded children mainly have access to a ground floor playroom, kitchen/diner and living room. There is a toilet situated on the ground floor and a family bathroom on the first floor. Minded children also have opportunities to play in the children's bedrooms on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden, with a covered section which facilitates outside play all year round. The family keep chickens.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register. When working alone the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years, of whom not more than two may be in the early years age group at any one time. There are currently five children on roll, two of whom are in the early years age range. When working with an assistant the childminder may care for up to 10 children under eight years, of whom not more than five may be in the early years age group. The childminder is also registered on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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

Children are extremely happy, settled and thriving because the childminder creates a highly stimulating, safe and secure environment. Children are valued and supported to make the most of their abilities, making excellent progress. The childminder is continually evaluating the activities and experiences offered. She always seeks to improve the learning opportunities provided, working towards the best possible outcomes for children. As a result, the childminder has a high capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 building further on the already outstanding practice by making effective use of training opportunities, to enhance further the outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are thoroughly protected from harm and neglect as the childminder has excellent knowledge and understanding of how to safeguard children. Excellent procedures are in place to ensure her assistant undergoes required checks. Children are kept safe and secure, due to clear, concise and comprehensive risk assessments for both the setting and for outings. Clear, concise and accurate records are kept, including attendance registers, which ensures the safeguarding of children.

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the early years provision

The childminder's concise policies and procedures ensure parents are fully informed about all aspects of the provision. Each parent receives their own policy pack which ensures they are fully aware of what the childminder's ethos is. This enhances greatly the children's safety, health and welfare.

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the early years provision

All children are routinely offered experiences and outings that are inclusive and broaden their understanding of the wider world; for example, children visit the Horniman Museum, Hever Castle and the Churchill Theatre. Children have great fun playing with the excellent range of high quality resources that support their learning and development exceedingly well. These include multi-cultural dressing- up clothes, musical instruments from around the world, books such as 'The Skin I'm In' and bi-lingual books. All activities are specially planned and adapted to meet children's individual needs effectively.

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the early years provision

Communication with parents is a key strength. The childminder gathers much useful information about the children, planning for their particular interests and needs exceptionally well. Parents are made to feel extremely welcome and are encouraged to be actively involved in planning for their children's next steps in learning.

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the early years provision

All parents receive detailed information about their children's care, progress and development through a variety of different means. Detailed contact books are readily available, allowing parents to check if anything needs to be taken home at the end of the day. Excellent partnerships with other settings the children attend, support children’s learning and care very well. For example, the childminder finds out about themes the children cover at nursery or school and extends this learning through her planning.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses a variety of methods to monitor and evaluate her service and practice. These include using the Ofsted self-evaluation form, drafting questionnaires for both parents and children, evaluating activities and reflecting on how the daily routine and environment has an impact on outcomes for children. The childminder identifies accurately the need to undertake further training courses in order to enhance the learning and development outcomes for children . The childminder continually looks at different ways in which she can enhance her own knowledge through different methods of learning, such as training courses. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 .

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and outcomes for children

Children happily explore and experiment, using an excellent range of different materials and resources which helps them to practise and acquire new skills. Children receive plenty of attention, through the childminder listening and responding to them during activities. Children show they feel safe as they make choices and readily approach the childminder if they need help or a cuddle..

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and outcomes for children

Written observations of the children's attainments, interests and learning styles are supported well with photographic evidence, so parents and carers enjoy very clear, visual images of their children's experiences. Children are clearly making excellent progress from their starting points. All planning is adapted to suit the individual needs of the children that are participating in the activities.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is highly skilled in using open-ended questions to enhance learning; consequently all children attain very well.. Children develop excellent skills for the future. They use a wide range of learning resources, such as a suitable computer system, pre-programmable toys and a varied selection of books. This greatly enhances the children's learning in all areas.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being is greatly enhanced through well thought out menus and exercise routines. Children help the childminder in the garden growing vegetables and collecting chickens’ eggs. They are thriving in the childminder's care due to the healthy and nutritious meals the childminder prepares for them. Excellent procedures are in place to ensure the children are thoroughly protected from cross infection and contamination. Each child has their own tooth brush, which is kept in bag to protect it from germs and is clearly labelled with the child's picture on it.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from excellent outdoor learning experiences, whatever the weather, as the childminder provides all-weather clothing. For example, even in wet weather children play basketball, paint and draw at the easel, explore and experiment using sand, compost and play dough and complete puzzles. 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 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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