Childminder in Bromley

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY412393 Inspection date 18/07/2011 Inspector Claire Parnell

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 2010. She lives with her husband in a house in Biggin Hill close to parks and local shops. Children play in all downstairs rooms and they have access to an enclosed rear garden. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Currently she cares for three children in the early years age range on a part-time basis. The childminder's daughter works with the childminder as an assistant two days a week. The childminder offers flexible day care and occasionally cares for her young grandchildren. The childminder is able to collect from local schools. The childminder is an experienced practitioner of working with adults and children with disabilities and is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder owns one dog.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder clearly understands the importance of meeting the unique needs of each child. Children's development and welfare are mostly promoted well throughout their time with the childminder. The childminder's skills and expertise help to provide children with a good range of experiences and activities to promote their learning. The childminder is committed to improving her practice but the way she currently evaluates her service is not fully effective. Documentation required for the safe management of the provision is mostly well-maintained. The childminder has good relationships with parents and promotes positive liaisons and partnerships with other professionals to promote continuity of care for children.

p.4

further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.4

further?

 request parental permission to seek necessary emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 25/08/2011

p.4

further?

 keep a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, the date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation) 25/08/2011

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 improve the self-evaluation system to further evaluate the effectiveness of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the provision  develop further the assessment system to include children's starting points and links to the Early Years Foundation Stage's six areas of learning, so that children's next steps for learning are planned for effectively.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder effectively safeguards children's welfare. Children's safety is carefully assessed and measures implemented through a thorough risk assessment of the house, outdoor space and outings ensure risks are identified and minimised. However, the risk assessment records do not always clearly show when and what action is taken to make the identified risks safe. The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility towards the children in her care and uses her expertise and knowledge of child protection procedures to take appropriate steps if she has a concern about a child. The childminder has an effective service statement containing informative policies and procedures that work well in practice, to ensure children play in a safe, secure, healthy and stimulating environment. However, the childminder has not asked parents for written permission to seek emergency treatment for their children while in her care, as

p.5

the early years provision

Children have access to a good range of resources, equipment and activities. They are easily accessible in large storage boxes at ground level and are age and stage appropriate for the children in her care. This encourages independent choices. The childminder knows the children well, although they have not been in her care for very long, and provides activities that spark interest and challenge their abilities. For example, the childminder offers a young toddling baby a walker to encourage mobility and interest in exploring the environment. The childminder uses her experience as a family support worker as an excellent resource towards sensitive and effective care for the children and their families. The childminder has a basic range of resources that reflect diversity and equality, although she has a very positive attitude towards helping children to understand their differences through their individual programmes of care and the provision of challenging activities. All

p.5

the early years provision

children are treated with equal respect and as individuals.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has identified areas for improvement within her provision and has produced an action plan. However, the basic evaluation system does not identify how these changes are made and the benefits this will have on the children. The childminder has a positive attitude towards training and gaining new skills and is actively using her skills from past experiences to create better outcomes for children.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has very positive relationships with parents, providing good systems of communication to share information about their children's development and care. The childminder is careful to take into consideration parent's wishes and makes changes to her practices to meet these wishes. The parents have access to an abundance of written information in the form of policies and procedures relating to the good provision that the childminder provides for the children. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder also has a wealth of information covering all aspects and situations in a child's life to support parents; such as pamphlets on the effects of divorce on children and guidance on speech and language. The childminder liaises closely with parents when other professionals are involved in the children's care. She takes into consideration their advice regarding nutrition and ongoing care of the children to

p.5

the early years provision

promote continuity in all aspects of the child's care and development.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The children are very settled, happy and confident in the care of the childminder, although they have only been with her for a short period of time. Children are inquisitive and constantly have eye to eye contact with the childminder making their needs and wishes known. Very young children babble contentedly to the childminder, who actively responds by recognising what they want. The childminder communicates clearly with the children and gives them plenty of time to respond to her communication. The childminder understands children's development well and clearly demonstrates the importance of repetition and schemas for young children. For example, she shows a young child the buttons on the farm, encouraging them to push them independently, watching for their reactions to the noises, using the correct words and simple statements to encourage achievements and pride and then repeating the whole process. This

p.6

and outcomes for children

pattern cements the children's understanding of their actions. Children learn about colours and shapes through the daily conversations with the childminder whilst looking at books and when they are out and about, making links to everyday situations. Children are intrigued by electronic toys, learning to use the buttons for cause and effects, making noises and lights flash. Young children's physical development is encouraged both indoors and outdoors through the use of everyday furniture to help children pull themselves to stand as well as ride on toys and cars. Children regularly explore malleable materials such as sand and water, investigating how it feels on their hands and feet. The childminder introduces new sensory experiences to young children such as the feel of grass on their feet. These activities clearly support children's skills for the future.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder has begun to provide planned and structured activities for the children as well as encouraging them to lead their own play. This encourages a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated play. The childminder observes children's progress and records their achievements linking them to play and other aspects of development. However, the childminder does not actively use children's starting points to inform her planning and their achievements are not always effectively tracked within the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children have a secure sense of belonging, knowing where in the house they can play. For example, a young child explores other areas of the house by playing 'pee- po' through the glass doors of the next room. They benefit from their own routines followed by the childminder using information from the parents and recognising when children are showing signs of being tired or hungry. Children are developing a good understanding of trust and relationships by holding out their arms for a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 cuddle and snuggling into the childminder's neck when they are tired. The childminder supports children's understanding of safety by providing equipment that is safe to use and encouraging children to try new skills for a first time. For example, the childminder makes sure that babies taking their first steps are well supported and the furniture they use to cruise around are fixed so that they do not

p.6

and outcomes for children

fall. The childminder acts as a good role model to children, showing kindness and respect which are reciprocated by the children.

p.7

and outcomes for children

Children have access to fresh air throughout their time with the childminder, with daily access to the rear garden and regular walks to the park or soft play areas. Good procedures are in place to encourage hygiene practices such as paper towels used to dry children's hands and nappies disposed of appropriately and quickly. Children are offered fresh drinking water all the time in their usual drinking vessels appropriate to their level of development. Children are offered freshly prepared meals and food whilst with the childminder, who encourages children to try new tastes and encourages healthy eating. The childminder is very conscious of children's dietary needs and carefully caters for every child individual requirements, whilst taking into consideration parents wishes. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.8

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

p.8

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9