Childminder in Bromley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY264920 Inspection date 28/07/2011 Inspector Jenny Kane

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and four children, who are aged from five to 18 years, in the Hayes area of Bromley, Kent. The ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. Children have access to a secure enclosed rear garden for outside play. Schools, pre- schools, toddler groups, shops and parks are within walking distance. The family has several pets including a dog, cat, rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children in this age group. She also cares for four children aged five to 10 years. The childminder holds the Certificate in Early Years Practice. She is a member of the Bromley

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Description of the childminding

Mencap Childminding Network and the Bromley Accredited Childminding Network. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant who is her adult son. She supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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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

Children are making excellent progress within the Early Years Foundation Stage because the childminder has an exceptional awareness of how young children learn through play and demonstrates a professional approach to childminding. She recognises children's individuality and capabilities while she strives to provide a fully inclusive and welcoming service for children and their families. Overall, excellent partnerships with parents/carers and other providers provide continuity of care and ensure that children's individual and cultural needs are met well. The use of reflective practice and self-evaluation enables the childminder to continually develop and improve her 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?

 developing further systems to maintain a regular two-way flow of information with other providers, with particular regard to involving other providers in contributing to the children's developmental records and assessments. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare, care and safety are promoted extremely well. The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge of child protection issues and procedures and is confident about raising concerns. Her comprehensive child protection policy is fully implemented to ensure children's safety. The sharing of this with the parents means they fully understand her responsibilities and ensures she safeguards all children in her care. All adults who come into contact with the children are suitably vetted and supervised. This includes her family and other childminders. The childminder is thoroughly organised. She uses her detailed risk assessment to ensure all children are safe in her care and keeps all necessary records up-to-date and secure.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes excellent use of resources. Play space is arranged to encourage self-selection and free-flow into the garden. There are posters and work at children's eye level and the environment is very conducive to learning. Children are heavily involved in decision making and they help to decide what they do and what to play with. The play areas are welcoming with a very large range of high quality equipment and toys which are suitable for the wide age range of the children cared for. Many of the resources and activities reflect diversity and positive images to help children learn about wider society. All children are very well-supported, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder has a high awareness and strong commitment to inclusion and takes highly positive steps to provide an equal opportunities childminding service. The childminder aims to promote sustainability as much as possible. She teaches

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the early years provision

children about not wasting resources, recycling and growing food and sends larger documents to parents via electronic mail.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a professional attitude to working with other providers and fully understands the benefits to the children. She has well-established relationships with teaching staff at the school and shares information about all aspects of children's care and learning. She is establishing the sharing of information with nurseries and pre-schools which children attend. She is proactive in developing this, despite some of the other provider's lack of cooperation. The childminder works together with two other local childminders, sharing planning and activities. In addition to the benefits to the children, the adults greatly enjoy each other's support and inspire each other to provide the best possible care.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are outstanding. The childminder has established excellent relationships with all parents. Her clear daily communication, both verbal and in writing, ensure parents are fully involved in their children's care and learning. Having established children's starting points the childminder continues to keep parents informed about how they are progressing. This is achieved through discussion, home-contact books and the development folders. The childminder is very keen to find out parental views through discussion and regular questionnaires. The results of these provide her with valuable information about their opinions. Parents make highly positive comments praising her working practices with other childminders. They state that she provides a friendly and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 professional service and that, 'there is nothing left to improve on!' Children also

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the early years provision

complete questionnaires and during the inspection even the youngest children confidently air their views. They say they particularly like playing outside, helping with the animals and all the messy activities.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates clear commitment and motivation regarding her self-development. She regularly attends meetings and a considerable amount of training to update her existing skills and knowledge. She skilfully uses self- evaluation to identify strengths and weaknesses of her service. She is fully committed to involving parents and children in this process. The childminder has drive, enthusiasm and clear aims for the future. Since the last inspection she has worked on several areas including systems for planning and these improvements have had a significant impact on the outcomes for all children.

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and outcomes for children

Children's outstanding progress in their learning and development is due to the childminder's excellent planning of activities which are based mainly on children's ideas and suggestions. She has a very good understanding of each child's capabilities and strives to make learning fun. Activities are planned using the detailed observations which are carried out daily. The childminder uses these to monitor children's progress and achievements and plan their next steps. Parents are fully involved in supporting their children's learning. The childminder shares children's superb development folders, which contain lots of photographs and samples of work to support her observations and assessments.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder actively seeks out training and resources which encourage children's understanding of the wider world. Children use digital cameras and the computer frequently and have access to a good supply of gadgets and toys to help them learn how things work. Children enjoy planting seeds and growing vegetables in the garden, which they can later eat. They also help to care for the animals, explaining that the chickens, 'lay eggs and we can eat them'. This helps children understand about nature, the cycle of life and where their food comes from.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder encourages children to become active learners and provides them with a very good balance of activities which help them develop their skills for the future. Children are clear communicators who confidently talk to the childminder, adults and other children. Their love of books is promoted well through an excellent supply of books, a lovely seating area and visits to the library to choose their own books. Posters and the labelling of many of the toys helps children identify the written word and number. There are many opportunities for children to use mathematics during activities. For example at snack time children discuss how many bananas there are before they eat and then count them again afterwards. They have excellent opportunities to solve problems. All the children join in playing in the water tray in the garden, finding guttering and working out how to place it so that the water will flow.

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 There are excellent opportunities for children to develop healthy lifestyles. The garden is a wonderful learning area and fully used in all weathers with gazebos and awnings to provide shelter and shade. Children know about why they put on sun cream and hats before playing outside. They learn to safely use the equipment and take some risks. One child climbs into the trampoline and zips up the entrance before jumping about. Children walk to all local venues, including school, helping their understanding of exercise for healthy lifestyle. The children understand about road safety and enjoy wearing their high visibility jackets. They regularly practise fire drills so they know how to get out of the house quickly in an emergency. They understand the basic house rules, have very good manners and demonstrate extremely good cooperation and sharing during play. Because children are fully

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and outcomes for children

occupied and make choices and decisions for themselves their behaviour is excellent. 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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