Childminder in Bexley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY258579 Inspection date 28/01/2011 Inspector Linda Coccia

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and one child aged eight years in Erith, Kent. The ground floor of the childminder's house and an upstairs toilet is used for childminding. The children are taken to outdoor play spaces as the garden is not used for childminding. There is one step to access the premises.

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Description of the childminding

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 a maximum of five children aged under eight years at any one time; of these, up to three children may be in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is able to provide overnight care for two children under eight years. The childminder is currently minding two children aged two years and three years. She attends the local parent/toddler group and local childminding groups 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

The childminder provides good quality care for children. She is particularly effective in working together with their parents in order to provide for their individual needs. Overall, the majority of the children's needs are met. The childminder has attended a variety of workshops and courses over the past few months to improve her knowledge of current childcare issues. This shows she is able to maintain the continuous improvement of her setting.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain a record of evacuation drills in the fire log book, which includes details of any problems encountered and how they were resolved

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her setting well. She has a good understanding of child protection issues as she has recently attended a safeguarding children course. This has had a positive impact on the children as the childminder has been able to review her safeguarding procedures. They include ensuring all adults who reside on the premises hold Criminal Record Bureau checks. The childminder also carries out regular risk assessments on the premises and keeps her record of attendance up to date. However, children have not been given the opportunity to practise the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder's emergency evacuation procedures. This means that children will not be able to keep themselves safe in an emergency. Overall, children's well being is promoted. The childminder has reviewed some of her procedures following attendance at different courses in order to improve the setting for children. For

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the early years provision

example, following a self evaluation workshop she has taken into account parents verbal comments to evaluate her setting and now takes more care in evaluating activities. Therefore, the children benefit from the childminder's increased childcare knowledge.The childminder uses her play space well and allows children to free flow between the two areas. This allows the children to develop confidence as they move around freely. Children also accompany the childminder to a variety of different play settings in the local area which allows them to access the large play equipment the childminder is unable to provide. The children also get to know their local community well and are developing their social skills whilst playing with other children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good procedures in place to cater for children's individual needs. For example, children who can only eat particular foods due to their religion are catered for. The childminder's well written equality and diversity policy reassures parents that all children will have the same opportunities. For example, children can learn about different cultures and religions through celebrations and festivals. The policy also offers support for children and their parents when additional services may be required, such as, speech therapy visits and language exercises. Children's individual needs are being met well. There are currently no children attending who have any special educational needs and or disabilities nor are there any children who speak English as an additional language. However, the childminder's good partnership working procedures enable her to source additional services for children as they are required. The childminder has good working

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the early years provision

relationships with parents. She provides them with copies of all her written policies and exchanges verbal information with them at dropping off and collection times. Parents have provided lots of information about the children's interests. Therefore, children receive good consistent care.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy to be with the childminder. They are infected by the childminder's enthusiasm and her sense of fun so there is always lots of laughter and delighted screeches from everyone. The childminder reports that children don't want to leave at home time and they have telephoned her during holiday periods to say they miss her. This shows that children feel safe in the setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children have access to good quality, well maintained toys which they use well. They care attentively for the dolls, feeding them and taking them on imaginary outings. They develop their problem solving skills as they attempt to make tracks for their cars. The childminder challenges the children through regular questioning. For example, how many cars do you have and what colours are they. Children count the stairs up to the toilet. The childminder is Spanish speaking and therefore encourages the children to learn Spanish too. They watch dual language videos This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and some books are also dual language. The children have choices about what they watch and play with which helps their decision making skills. They use lots of good soft play equipment at a local toddler group which encourages their physical development and there are further opportunities for physical play at the local park.

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and outcomes for children

Children also enjoy dancing and music. The childminder has a good selection of examples of children's work which shows they use a wide variety of craft mediums. For example, they have made paper teddies, decorated with wool and string and constructed stained glass windows with tissue paper. Children have lots of fun at their play. The childminder knows her minded children very well. She knows what interests them and is able to explain how they are progressing in the six areas of learning. Although there are currently no written development records on each child the childminder can explain how she observes and assesses their abilities and how she plans activities for their next steps. Children are making good progress in the stepping stones and are developing a good range of future skills.

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and outcomes for children

The children eat food which is provided by the childminder. She ensures that the food offered is healthy and nutritious. She discusses all food issues with parents in advance to ensure children's dietary needs are being catered for. Children learn about the effect food has on their bodies as the childminder regularly talks about how they are growing big and strong by eating their vegetables. She also keeps a careful watch on children to ensure they have adequate rest periods during physical play sessions. Therefore, children are learning about healthy lifestyles. The children are encouraged to play well together and to have consideration for each other. Older children are encouraged to help the younger children. Because the children are still quite young this often results in disagreements. However the childminder uses gentle persuasion for children to share toys and take turns. In this way children are beginning to learn to manage their own behaviour.

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and outcomes for children

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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