Childminder in BromleyOfsted inspection, 25 Jan 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY268595 Inspection date 25/01/2011 Inspector Denys Rasmussen

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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 partner and six children aged 14, 13, 11, nine, three and one year. The family live in Petts Wood, Kent. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding, with the exception of the master bedroom and the study. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under the age of eight years at any one time. There are currently seven children on roll. Of whom, two are in the early years age range. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 experienced and caring childminder has successfully created a warm, comfortable and stimulating environment. Children's individuality is recognised and the childminder has a secure knowledge of their individual needs, interests and abilities which helps her to provide an inclusive environment. Overall, her policies and procedures are effective in ensuring children's safety is well promoted and encouraging children to adopt healthy lifestyles is a great strength of the provision. The environment is well organised in a child orientated manner conducive to learning where play resources are freely available to the children. The childminder values the views of parents and these contribute to her self-evaluation making her service responsive to the families who attend. She is committed to developing her provision through ongoing training, providing a sound basis for her capacity to maintain continuous improvement to the good quality service she currently

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further?

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

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further?

 increase opportunities for children to access technology resources that they recognise into their play,  improve the detail in the safeguarding policy with regards to allegations of serious harm or abuse by any person living, working, or looking after children at the premises to reflect the LSCB local guidance and procedures. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is safe, spacious, warm and welcoming. She has risk assessed her home and garden with particular care as she has recently moved into a new premises. Her home is safe and secure and because she has identified some risks in the garden the children are not currently using it until action has been taken to remove them. Appropriate checks have been completed on persons aged over 16 living in her household to ensure the children she cares for are protected. The childminder has a good understanding of what to do if she were concerned about a child's welfare and has appropriate procedures in place. She has put her all her policies including safeguarding children in writing and most are comprehensive, however, the safeguarding policy has not been entirely updated to reflect the Local Safeguarding Children's Boards information. The childminder is well organised and maintains all the required records.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides an environment based on mutual respect. She provides support to enable all the children in her care to participate in all she offers and recognises each child as an individual, giving support or challenge where needed. She has used Makaton to support her communication with a child and is planning to attend further training in this. Children are introduced to a variety of cultural festivals and the imagery within the resources positively reflects the children who attend as well as the wider community. Children have easy access to a wide variety of resources and play materials which are suitable for their age and needs.

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the early years provision

Policies and procedures are shared with parents so they have a clear understanding of the expectations of themselves, their children and the childminder. The childminder develops good relationships with parents to ensure that she cares for their child in accordance with their wishes. She obtains feedback from them in order to inform her self-evaluation and develop her practice. For example, through parents suggestion she changed her routine so that she could take the children to the library and provided more opportunities for a child to complete puzzles. She has met the recommendation set at the last inspection and she is keen to continue to develop her practice through further training. The communication between other settings the children attend, parents and the childminder is very clear and supports continuity of learning and care. Information about the child's day is shared through daily discussion and a contact diary to

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the early years provision

ensure consistency of care. Parents appreciate this diary of activities as they report it 'helps to highlight any issues that arise'. Parents are 'very happy with the loving, caring, family environment.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is using a software system which helps her plot the children's progress to ensure she provides for all areas of learning. She uses her observations of the children which are linked to aspects of learning to plan for their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 future learning. She also uses photographs to show the children engaged in an activity to support her observations. She plans interesting activities to support the children's knowledge and understanding of the world such as making butter. The children practise their physical skills and learn to use equipment when they put the cream into a container, put on the lid and shake it hard. The children use all of their body when they jump up and down with the pot until it turns into butter. They then taste their creation by spreading it on toast and eating it. They learn about nature when searching for bugs and growing sunflowers and grass heads.

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and outcomes for children

Close relationships are evident; children approach the childminder for cuddles and their self-esteem and confidence are developing in response to her praise and encouragement. This means children feel safe and secure. The house rules such as not jumping on the furniture and learning about the dangers of too much sun help children learn how to keep themselves safe.

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and outcomes for children

Children's social skills are promoted when they are taken to regular groups and they practise self care skills when putting on their own coats and shoes and blowing their nose. The children have plenty of space to run around and they chase each other laughing often. Good relationships are nurtured because of the childminder's skilful and experienced interaction. There is a good sense of fun and the childminder's commitment and enjoyment to her work is evident. She engages with the children consistently, positively and gently. Children have access to a wide range of resources to support their learning with the exception of resources that Incorporate technology into their play, such as a camera. Children have good opportunities to develop their skills in communicating, literacy and language. Visits to the local library, a wide selection of books and opportunities to talk and be listened to help to support their communication skills. The children notice signs on

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and outcomes for children

the way to school, practise shapes and lines when they play in corn flour and paint and talk about the phonic sounds some of them are learning at school. They count and find objects of different colours and use resources that encourage them to match and sort things.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder gives high priority to protecting children's health and encouraging healthy lifestyles. Children are offered healthy, nutritious snacks and meals that are home cooked and mostly organic. The childminder encourages the children to eat a variety of foods by making their plate of food look as colourful as possible. Fruit is always on offer and snacks of rice cakes, bread sticks and dried fruit. The childminder discusses with the children about why they should eat certain foods and provides activities such as cutting out pictures for a collage about foods that are good and not so good for us. Children follow excellent hygiene routines and understand the importance of washing away 'germs' from their hands after using the toilet and before eating. The use of liquid soap and paper towels helps reduce the risk of cross infection. Exercise and fresh air is an important part of the daily routine and the children are encouraged to walk everywhere with the childminder

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and outcomes for children

explaining why it's not only good for their bodies to walk but it is also good for the planet not to use the car so often. Children enjoy regular trips to the park and exciting outdoor activities such as constructing a tent. 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 1 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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