Childminder, Out-of school day care in Bexley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY420395 Inspection date 09/06/2011 Inspector Christine Hodge

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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 January 2011. She lives with her five year old daughter in a two bedroom, first floor flat in Welling, in the borough of Bexley. The whole of the flat is used for childminding purposes. There is a communal garden and the flat is close to all local amenities and parks. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of five children under eight years, of these, three may in the early years age group at any one time. She is currently caring for one child in the early years age group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends local toddler groups.

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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 professional, inclusive and caring service in which children are happy, settled and make good overall progress in their learning and development. High priority is given to children's safety and welfare which is underpinned by comprehensive polices and procedural documentation. The childminder works closely with parents to find out about children's starting points and to share information about their daily routines and progress. She has started to use self-evaluation to help her identify the strengths and weaknesses of her provision and to plan for future development.

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further?

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

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further?

 Build on the number of positive image resources promoting culture, disability and gender in order to help children to understand about difference  develop further the system for self-evaluation.

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the early years provision

Children's safety is well promoted. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate and completes thorough risk assessments on her home and for outings to ensure that all necessary safety precautions are in place. Her comprehensive safeguarding folder contains well documented policies and procedures for dealing with complaints and child protection issues, in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. She talks to children about staying safe when playing and on outings teaches them about road safety. All required documentation is maintained to a high standard and is readily available for inspection. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder makes good use of the space within her home. Good quality, age appropriate toys and resources are stored in clearly labelled boxes which are very accessible to children and encourage them to make independent choices about

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the early years provision

their play. The childminder provides an inclusive service and welcomes all children into her setting. Children learn about equal opportunities through various topics and activities, although resources promoting positive images of disability, gender and culture are limited.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops close working relationships with parents and works in partnership to provide continuity in children's care and to share information. This is exemplified by the verbal feedback she provides, and her use of a two way contact book which is shared daily. Furthermore, information regarding children's development and progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage is available for parents to see at any time. The childminder has started to reflect on her practice and to complete the Ofsted self-evaluation form. She has completed her registration training and wishes to continue to improve her practice and to extend her childcare knowledge by attending further courses. She also regularly meets up with other childminders to discuss good practice and reads childcare literature supplied by the National Childminding Association.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's warm, friendly and responsive approach to caring for children ensures that they settle quickly and develop a close relationship with her and her daughter. Children make good progress across all areas of their learning and development because the childminder observes them closely and plans activities with care. She identifies children's likes, interests and achievements and uses the information to assess what they need to do to achieve their individual goals and to make progress in their learning. For example, having noted that a child is particularly interested in different vehicles and dinosaurs, the childminder planned a trip on the train to the Natural History Museum and has purchased some books to foster the child's interest in books. Observation sheets, learning journals and assessment reports, together with photographs and children's art work are used to record their progress and are shared with parents. Daily routines include a good

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and outcomes for children

balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities and include both indoor and outdoor activities covering the six areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children increasingly develop their language and listening skills because the childminder spends a lot of time playing with them, talking to them and engaging with them. They have fun sitting on the floor with her to use their imaginations with small world cars and dinosaurs and to complete puzzles. They enjoy sitting with her on the settee to look at books and to listen to their favourite stories. The childminder is skilful at using activities to encourage children to count and to recognise colours, numbers and shapes. Children develop their creativity through art and craft activities, role play, musical instruments and singing songs. They This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 enjoy outings to toddler groups where they learn to socialise with other children and play with resources different to those at home. Visits to the library, parks and museums encourage children to learn about the wider and natural world.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is well supported by comprehensive policies and procedures and the maintenance of good standards of hygiene and cleanliness in the childminder's home. Children are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles by learning good personal hygiene routines such as washing their hands before eating snacks and meals and after going to the toilet. The childminder promotes healthy eating and ensures that children are provided with fresh fruit snacks and drinking water throughout the day. Children have access to fresh air and exercise on a daily basis, for example, walking to and from activities, playing in the garden and at toddler group and on trips to the park. The childminder reinforces positive behaviour by giving children lots of praise and encouragement and by setting clear boundaries and promoting their social and independent skills. As a result, children are happy, confident and enjoy their time spent with the childminder.

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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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