Childminder in Bexley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY282813 Inspection date 13/12/2010 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 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 2004. She lives with her husband, two young sons and her mother in an extended four bedroom house, in a quiet residential road in Bexley. All areas of the ground floor are used for childminding purposes. Minded children have access to a lounge, playroom, kitchen area for meals and art activities and a downstairs toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for five children under eight years, and currently has five children on roll, one of whom is in the early years age group. The childminder is not registered for overnight care.

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Description of the childminding

The home setting is within walking distance of Bexley village and is within easy reach of parks, the library, pre-school and toddler groups and has good transport links. The childminder is able to take and collect children from Old Bexley Primary School.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has completed a National Vocational Qualification at level 3.

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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 progressing extremely well in all areas of their learning and development as a result of the childminder's knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and her effective liaison with other settings delivering this framework. An extensive range of purposeful activities and resources is available to children and the childminder supports and extends their play, for example, through discussions and open-ended questioning. Children are extremely happy and settled within the childminder's welcoming, family orientated home. Partnerships with parents and other settings are outstanding and a key strength of the provision as the childminder understands the importance of these in meeting children's individual developmental and welfare needs. The childminder has discussed the Early Years Foundation Stage with parents and has outlined what she will be doing to promote each area of learning and how different parts of the daily routine

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

reflect on the different outcomes. The childminder is continually identifying ways to improve aspects within her provision and uses a very comprehensive self- evaluation form which is regularly reviewed and amended. She has identified further areas to develop in relation to equality and diversity and demonstrates an excellent commitment towards attending further training in order to extend her knowledge in the childcare field and maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 should consider:

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further?

 further extend ideas and activities to promote children's understanding of disabilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses self evaluation effectively to identify strengths within her setting and areas for further development to enhance outcomes for the children in her care. The self evaluation system is reflective of the childminder's practice and is an going document that she adds to regularly. The childminder demonstrates a very positive approach towards ongoing training and development and is committed to developing her knowledge and understanding of the childcare field. She has attended a range of courses since her last inspection to develop her expertise in different aspects of childcare. These include the NVQ Level 3, paediatric first aid, safeguarding children, the Early Years Foundation stage and a Food hygiene course. The childminder liaises regularly with other childminding colleagues to discuss practices and new initiatives and uses publications such as 'Who Minds' to gain ideas on how she can extend her provision. The childminder

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the early years provision

has effectively addressed the recommendation that arose from her last inspection which referred to extending children's self care skills. For example, children serve themselves their snack tea choosing which raw vegetables and dips they would like from the selection available and spreading their cheese spread on their pitta bread independently. As a result children's welfare is effectively supported.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded extremely well in the setting due to the childminder's comprehensive understanding of safeguarding procedures. She demonstrates a clear awareness of the referral process with regards to recording and reporting any concerns of abuse or neglect and has up-to-date knowledge of child protection and current legislation. The childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of how to help children to feel and keep safe. For example, on outings in the community and on school runs she discusses and reinforces concepts of road safety and stranger danger. Comprehensive collection procedures are also in operation to promote children's ongoing safety. The childminder will only release a child to their parent/guardian unless informed of changes in advance. Where there are changes regarding collection parents are asked to provide a full description of anyone else collecting and a password. Extensive risk assessments are in place and

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the early years provision

include both the indoor and outdoor environments as well as outings both in the local community and further afield. The childminder reviews these periodically to ensure that any hazards are kept to a minimum. A detailed emergency plan is in place and displayed in the hallway and fire drills are completed regularly to ensure that all children are aware of the procedure and can evacuate safely from the setting. Records of fire drills are kept and any problems encountered are recorded. These procedures effectively protect children and ensure their safety is fully promoted.

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the early years provision

Documentation is maintained to a very high standard and all records required for the safe and efficient management of the setting are available. A comprehensive This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 range of written policies and procedures are in place and these are regularly updated to reflect changes in legislation and clearly underpin the childminder's practices. Children's files contain all relevant information to ensure that individual needs can be effectively met and all required parental consents are in place. The childminder has established extremely positive partnerships with parent/carers and ensures that they are informed about their child's progress and development through verbal feedback, contact books and developmental profiles. Parents have opportunities to contribute to their child's learning and development and parents report that they are very happy with their child's progress and the feedback they

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the early years provision

receive from the childminder. Parents are given a comprehensive parent pack at the start of their child's placement and this includes information about the setting as well as the policies and procedures. The childminder has developed strong links with other partnerships such as the reception teacher at the local primary school. She has initiated partnerships with these settings through a well thought out letter of introduction which contains her responsibilities as a childminder towards children in the Early years Foundation Stage together with information of how she would like to work in partnership with the setting. Parental consent is included with this initial letter. This enables the childminder to liaise effectively with other settings to meet children's needs, for example sharing observations which will enhance children's learning and development. The childminder has received information on activities and areas of learning which are being covered at school

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and outcomes for children

Children are making very good progress in all areas of their learning and development. They have fun as they enjoy setting up a pizza cafe after one child talks about having pizza for tea the previous evening. The childminder extends children's ideas through support and discussion which enhances their learning opportunities further. Children enjoy making Christmas decorations and the childminder gives them a variety of different options of what to make, for example, they choose from Christmas stockings which they sew thread through, Christmas snowmen hand puppets and Christmas trees. One child tells the childminder what letter their name begins with and the childminder supports the child to spell out their name. The children demonstrate increasing acquisition of skills for the future. The childminder uses a daily journal in which she records activities enjoyed as well as and milestones or achievements that she observes each day. This also includes

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and outcomes for children

comments exchanged with the reception teacher at the local school and provides parents with a complete overview of how their child is progressing. The effective liaison between the childminder and the reception teacher ensures that children are provided with activities that enhance their learning in all areas as well as consistency in additional areas such as literacy. For example the local primary school has introduced cursive writing in the reception class as a trial and the childminder is extending this in her home setting to promote a consistent approach with the school and prevent mixed messages for the children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder regularly reviews observations which she plots against learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and development goals of the Early Years Foundation Stage so that she can see a child making progress and plan effectively for their next steps which will challenge them to progress further. Through regular observations the childminder is able to clearly see an improvement in a child's skills and knowledge. The learning journey she completes for each child provides the childminder and the child's parents and other carers with a clear indication of how the child is developing. Parents are included at every step of their child's learning journey and the childminder clearly respects their role as their child's first educators and aims to work closely in partnership with them. The childminder has revised her parents pack and initial paperwork which enables her to gain as much information about a child prior to

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and outcomes for children

them starting at the setting. This also enables her to involve patriots from the start of their child's learning journey.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to be and stay healthy. They have daily opportunities for fresh air and outdoor play either at local parks, in the safe, enclosed garden or on the walks to and from school. Children enjoy a range of healthy, nutritious snacks which they help to prepare and serve themselves. Children have developed very good hygiene procedures. For example, prior to their snack they all wash their hands and explain to me that they are doing this to wash off any germs. The childminder also has a sign in her bathroom reminding the children to wash their hands. A thorough sickness procedure is in operation and includes a 48 hour exclusion period. This thoroughly prevents spread of cross infection. The childminder provides all parents with contact numbers and website details for National Health Service (NHS) Direct. The childminder has full details of each child's individual likes, dislikes and any allergies or food intolerances as well as any

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and outcomes for children

parental preferences. She takes all these details into consideration when planning meals and snacks. She also completes a form with the children when they initially start at the setting regarding their favourite foods and any dislikes. A wide range of different meals are included in the menu plan and this enhances children's understanding of diversity with regards to food as meals encompass food from around the world.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates an extremely positive approach towards inclusion and inclusiveness is extremely well promoted within the setting. She works closely in partnership with parents to fully meet the individual needs of all children attending her setting. She has a comprehensive understanding of each child's unique needs and has detailed information on child record forms of individual requirements. A variety of resources are available depicting positive images of diversity including those of culture, language, gender and some relating to disability. The childminder demonstrates a positive approach towards non stereotypical play and children play with the full range of activities available to their age and stage of development regardless of their gender. The childminder intends to extend her activities to aid children's awarenees and understanding of diabilities. She introduces children to different festivals throughout the year such

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and outcomes for children

as Chinese New Year, Divali and Eid as well as Christian based celebrations such as Christmas around the world, Halloween and Easter. 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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