Childminder in Bexley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY418027 Inspection date 18/04/2011 Inspector Sarer Tarling

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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 2010 and lives with her husband and their two children; a son aged seven years and a two-year-old daughter. The family live in an end-of-terrace house in Erith, in the London Borough of Bexley. The whole of the property is suitable to be used for minding with a ground and first floor bathroom. However, minded children mainly play on the ground floor in the living room and kitchen diner. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of four children under eight, only two of whom may be in the early years age group at any one time. There are currently two part time children on roll, both of whom are in the early years age group.

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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

The childminder is committed to providing a professional service and has created a safe and enabling environment where children access a wealth of stimulating play and learning experiences. All families are made to feel extremely welcome and the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child enabling her to promote their welfare and learning very successfully. As a result children thrive in her care. The childminder routinely reflects on her practice, continually striving to improve outcomes for children and demonstrates a strong capacity to continue making improvements to her already high quality service.

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further?

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

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further?

 encouraging young children's sensory exploration of more natural objects for example, by introducing Treasure Baskets.

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the early years provision

Children's safety and welfare is of paramount importance to the childminder. She has attended child protection awareness training and has written a comprehensive safeguarding policy and procedure which is in line with local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures. This is shared with parents and clearly sets out her commitment to identifying and responding appropriately to any welfare concerns. A well organised file ensures useful information is kept to hand along with the contact This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 numbers for liaising with relevant agencies and referral forms. All adults in the home are suitably vetted and children are never left alone with un-vetted adults. A written log helps to keep track of all adults visiting the home. Systems are in place to ensure that children cannot leave the premises unsupervised and that they are only released to someone authorised by their parent who uses the prearranged

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the early years provision

Robust risk assessments are routinely conducted and help to identify any potential risks to children and show clearly how they are eliminated or managed. This enables children to explore safely indoors and in the garden and that all furniture, equipment and toys are safe and suitable. The childminder ensures her smoke detectors are regularly tested and a fire blanket is positioned in the kitchen. Children are becoming aware of their own safety as they practice the emergency evacuation procedure. Fireman Sam pictures have been positioned by the exits giving young children a clear reminder of where to assemble and exit from. A procedure for lost or missing children is in place and a detailed risk assessment is conducted prior to each different type of outing. Permission has been obtained for outings and to transport children and appropriate safety seats are provided. Consent has been obtained from parents enabling the childminder, if necessary, to

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the early years provision

seek emergency medical advice or treatment. A first aid kit is always available and the childminder's up-to-date knowledge of first aid ensures children receive prompt attention if an accident does occur. Accurate records are maintained following any accidents or when the childminder has been given permission to administer medication.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures all furniture; equipment and resources are clean, of a high quality, and support children's learning and development. Storage systems are labeled clearly with pictures enabling the younger children, and those with English as an additional language, to independently select the toys they wish to play with. Furthermore the childminder has created a 'Toy File', which contains photos of all the resources available, enabling children to carefully consider what they would like to play with and allows new children to see what is available for them. The childminder has identified which area of learning each particular toy or activity could promote, helping her to plan a balanced curriculum when she sets toys out before children arrive, changing them frequently to sustain their interest. Children are developing an appreciation of diversity by playing with good quality resources and books and by taking part in the activities and outings the

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the early years provision

childminder has planned. Well-considered steps are being taken to help ensure the environment is sustainable as the childminder shares equipment with a colleague and has purchased some excellent equipment and play resources from a nursery sale. Children are encouraged to recycle and use items for more than one purpose. For example, they fill and decorate plastic bottles to make musical instruments and turn cardboard boxes into dens in the garden.

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the early years provision

All families are made to feel very welcome and information gathered from parents, using a detailed enrolment form, gives the childminder an exceptional knowledge of each child's backgrounds and individual needs. In return, parents are provided with good quality information about the Early Years Foundation Stage along with set of well written policies and procedures which cover all areas of the childminder's service and underpin her outstanding practice.The childminder is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 committed to building positive relationships with parents as she recognises that children need continuity to feel safe and respects that a parent's role is pivotal to their child's well-being. Inclusive systems of communication result in excellent levels of engagement where both parties can share valuable information about the children. For example, on the daily record sheets, although plenty of time is also

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the early years provision

spent chatting face to face and on the telephone too. Parents have provided highly commendable references reflecting how very happy they are that their children are developing new skills, love the food and thoroughly enjoy the activities. Parents comment on how organised and reliable the childminder is and how they appreciate the excellent communication and peace of mind as they leave their child in her care. A well formulated policy also ensures parents are made aware of the complaints procedure should they have any concerns.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly organised with all the required documentation in place and stored in a confidential manner. She demonstrates an excellent capacity to maintain her exceptionally high standards as she reflects and reviews on her own practice, involving parents in the process. The childminder is committed to continually improving outcomes for children by attending training courses, reading childcare magazines and by discussing best practice with colleagues. The childminder is enthusiastic and sets herself high standards which are embedded across all areas of her practice. She strives to provide high quality care and education in order that all children are settled, feel safe and can achieve as well as they can.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder carefully considers children's home routines and uses information gained about their care and welfare requirements to plan some initial activities to help them settle. As a result close and caring relationships have been formed and children are becoming confident and sociable with other adults and their peers. The childminder clearly shows how her written observations of the children, photographs of them during play and examples of their art and craft are linked to the different areas of learning. Referring to the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage the childminder monitors children's individual progress toward the early learning goals and plans for their next steps in learning and development. The childminder recognises that all children develop at varying rates and provides resources, activities and outings, based on their interests. Parents are invited to look at their child's individual learning file at any time and meetings are

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and outcomes for children

arranged, to discuss their child's progress and contribute to future planning. As a result children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and are making excellent progress, in relation to their starting points, in their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has given as much consideration to the planning of her outdoor environment as to her indoor one by ensuring all of the different areas of learning are incorporated. For example, colourful wind chimes hang in the trees and she has set up a wonderful 'listening wall' where children have fun banging wooden This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and metal spoons on different size saucepans. By seeing how different objects roll along and down pieces of guttering the children are learning about gravity, angles, size and speed. They draw and paint at the easel and use chalk to make marks on the patio. Laminated photographs are displayed outside and remind the children the different types of activities they can take part in. They enjoy looking for bugs, digging in the compost and are learning how to care for the seeds and bulbs they have planted. A visit to the local garden centre helps to show children what their

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and outcomes for children

flower or plant will look like when fully grown. Outings to farms and the pet shop extend the games children have played with the toy animals and walks along the river front provide a good opportunity for the childminder to talk to the children about the dangers of water.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from an active lifestyle and have tremendous fun jumping on the trampoline and bouncy castle and getting wet on the water slide. They play imaginatively using the different zones in the airflow pod such as the pirate ship and enormous octopus. They are learning balance and coordination skills as they climb, ride on cars and bikes and throw balls into the basketball hoop. The childminder joins in with the children's play, smiling and laughing as she regularly praises their achievements helping to develop their sense of belonging and self- assurance. Age appropriate strategies are effectively used by the childminder to positively manage children's behaviour. She is skilled in using her tone of voice, along with distraction and redirection, and the consistent house rules help children to learn about boundaries and to feel safe. Young children are learning excellent negotiation and cooperation skills as they take turns playing with dolls and pushing

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and outcomes for children

them in the buggy. The childminder recognises that play with peers is important to children's development so they visit toddler groups and meet up with other childminders during the week.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a cuddle with the childminder as she reads their favourite stories. The excellent range of books include a variety which help children explore and understand their feelings, learn about the weather and show what happens inside their bodies. The childminder supports children in learning their colours, shapes, numbers, letters and the phonic sound that they make by using every day objects, resources she has made herself and the electronic toys. Young children like to play at the activity table, watching the spinning wheels and cogs and carefully judging when to place their shapes on top. The childminder is looking at ways of introducing some more natural resources for babies and younger children to play with indoors. Some children find the soft background music calming while others sing-along to the nursery rhyme tapes and experiment with different sounds and rhythms as they play on the electronic piano. Children develop good self help skills

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and outcomes for children

as they can reach their coats from the low pegs and the childminder gives them time to practice getting dressed and putting their own shoes on.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is proactive in seeking guidance from food safety officers and as a result has highly effective hygiene routines help to promote children's health and well-being. For example, the childminder uses colour coded cloths in the kitchen to help eliminate the risk of cross contamination, a sanitizer is used on all work surfaces and the fridge and freezer temperatures are closely monitored to ensure food is stored safely. Fresh bedding is provided and sleeping children are closely monitored. Stringent nappy changing routines are followed and children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 gaining an exceptional understanding of the importance of good personal hygiene routines. The childminder shows an excellent understanding of benefits of healthy eating and obtains information about children's individual dietary requirements. Meal times are a social occasion where children learn good table manners and

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and outcomes for children

make healthy choices from the varied and balanced range of highly nutritious meals and snacks. 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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