Childminder in Bexley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY222490 Inspection date 01/03/2011 Inspector Justine George

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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 has been registered since August 2002. She is registered on the Early Year Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband, and two adult children aged 20 and 17 years. They live in an extended semi-detached house in Welling, Kent. The home is within walking distance of schools, playgroups, shops and local amenities. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years, of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group, and of these, not more than two may be under one year at any one time. The childminder currently cares for six children, four of whom are in the early years age group. Children attend various sessions throughout the week. The childminder provides a drop off and collection service for local groups and Danson Primary School. The childminder 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 childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment where children feel safe and secure. Children enjoy playing with and explore a good range of activities, which supports them in making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder plans good experiences to pursue most of the children's interests. She has most of the required documentation to ensure the smooth running of the setting. Through self-evaluation, the childminder identifies areas for improvement and attends training courses to ensure her knowledge reflects current practice, thus maintaining and driving improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 encourage and provide materials for young children as they explore particular patterns of thought or movement, sometimes referred to as schemas  improve further the risk assessment so it covers anything with which a child may come into contact, for example, making safe or inaccessible any products in the bathroom and the fence panel in the garden  obtain written parental permission for children to take part in outings. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children safety and welfare is well promoted. All adults in the home have had the required checks carried out to ensure their suitability. Children are protected from un-vetted adults as they are supervised at all times. Good procedures are in place so children are collected by named adults only. For example, there are password systems in place and the childminder would contact parents in the event of an unfamiliar adult turning up to collect children. The childminder has good knowledge of the areas of abuse and the possible signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk from harm. In the event of any concerns, the childminder is aware of the referral procedures to follow, thus ensuring the protection of vulnerable children. The home is safe and secure. The required risk assessments are in place and most hazards have been identified and minimised effectively. Although, there are beauty products in the bathroom which are

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the early years provision

accessible to children and the fence in the garden has come loose and has not yet been fixed, which poses a risk to children's safety. In the event of any accidents, appropriate first aid is administered and the required details are recorded to share with parents. The childminder has organised her systems effectively which contributes towards the smooth and effective running of the setting. Most of the required documentation is in place to ensure children are cared for in line with parents' wishes. However, good practice of written consent from parents to take children on outings has not been obtained. The childminder had devised a range of well written policies and procedures. As a result, these provide a good reference tool to refer to and parents are informed of the childminder's responsibilities in caring for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder realises the importance of partnership work to promote inclusion, consistency and continuity of care for children. She seeks information from other professionals involved in the care of children, for example speech therapists. Therefore, shared strategies are used to benefit children. The childminder has developed positive, professional relationships with parents. She seeks really good information when children first start at the setting using an 'All about me' form. As a result, the childminder is aware of children's needs, routines, fears and comforters. Such information provides a good insight to all children enabling the childminder to plan effectively. Equality and diversity is well promoted where all children are treated with equal concern. Through good observation and communication with parents both verbally and through use of a written contact book, should any concerns arise, they are effectively dealt with.

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to maintain and drive improvement. She has kept her knowledge up to date through attending an early years foundation stage course and safeguarding training. As a result, her knowledge reflects current practice. In addition, the childminder has implemented planning and observation systems, which enables her to plan effectively for all the children. The childminder deploys resources well. She makes good use of childcare books and materials to promote good outcomes for children. For example, she has registered with the food agency for the 'safer food, better business' pack to ensure children's good health. The childminder also ensures that she has suitable equipment for the different age This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 groups of children, and provides a good range of experiences for children to explore, fully utilising children's time while at the setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time in the home and exploring the local community. During a typical week, children visit local places of interest, including the library, various groups and parks. As a result, children make a positive contribution, developing a sense of belonging within the local community. In addition, children's sense of security is well fostered as they have developed positive relationships with the childminder. Very young children initiate conversation through eye contact, smiles and reaching up for cuddles. Older children benefit as the childminder is familiar with family life and talks about family members and recent experiences or events. As a result, children feel safe and secure.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress in their learning and development in addition to family life. Through sharing information with parents and observing what children can do the childminder plans experiences which stem from children's interests. For example, children enjoy small world figures and use language to give figures a purpose. This has been extended as a castle has been made from a box, which also encourages resourcefulness. Children enjoy painting, using a brush and their fingers and they explore dough which develops eye/hand coordination and their fine motor skills. This supports their early writing skills enabling them to develop skills for the future. The good range of activities also stimulates children's curiosity, setting the pattern for enthusiastic learning. Very young children have the opportunity to practise their new found skills of walking and they have ample space to practise balance and coordination. The childminder has observed the

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and outcomes for children

repeated play patterns shown by younger children, sometimes referred to as schemas. Although, she has not yet developed this further as experiences or materials have not been planned.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well behaved as they are stimulated. The childminder often praises children's efforts, developing their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder is respectful towards children, listening and responding to their comments. She supports them in learning about safety by talking with them when on outings, for example how to cross the road safely. Children comment that they have to wait for the green man to show before crossing the road. Children are learning respectful attitudes where they show awareness of young children's space and the noise level. They take care when young children are crawling around the floor and keep their voices low when children are sleeping. Children also use their good manners of saying 'please' or 'thank you' with few prompts when requesting items or support.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is well promoted. They are given regular fluids throughout the day to ensure they are well hydrated. The childminder is aware of any dietary needs and food preferences and accommodates this. The childminder provides a range of freshly prepared and some ready made foods to ensure children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 nutritional health. Children play in clean and hygienic surroundings and they develop good personal hygiene habits through washing hands at appropriate times, for example after going to the toilet. Fresh towels and soap are provided, minimising the spread of infection. In the event of any illness, children are excluded from the setting until better. Active lifestyles are promoted well. The childminder takes children on walks and they use the apparatus at local parks to develop their large motor skills. One child comments that he enjoys walking and

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and outcomes for children

laughs as he talks about his legs hurting afterwards. Children have opportunities for rest as they sleep in the buggy, thus aiding their all round good health. 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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