Childminder in Bromley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY421418 Inspection date 13/07/2011 Inspector Claire Douglas

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and two year old son in a residential area of Orpington, within the London Borough of Bromley. The setting is close to shops, parks, schools and local transport links. All of the downstairs of the property is used for childminding purposes. There is a secure garden for outdoor play. The family have one pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than two of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding six children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the childcare register.

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Description of the childminding

Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. The childminder has formed links with other early years settings such as local toddler groups and the local pre-schools and family Sure Start centres. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The setting receives support from the local authority early years partnership, through training and resources.

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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 successfully promotes all aspects of children's welfare and development. Overall children are progressing well; they are safe and well cared for in a welcoming, inclusive home. Partnerships with parents, local pre-schools and childminder drop in centres are a key strength and are significant in making sure the needs of all children are met, along with any additional support needs. The childminder effectively reflects on the service she provides, ensuring that priorities for development and areas for continuous improvement are identified and acted on, resulting in a provision that is responsive to the needs of the children she cares for and their families.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the range of opportunities and resources to further encourage an understanding of the purpose of numbers, displaying numerals in purposeful contexts and using numbers as labels for counting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very clear understanding of her responsibilities towards the children in her care, and effectively safeguards their welfare. She knows what steps to take if she has concerns about a child, and has completed child protection training. She keeps a well organised file of the required records that promote children's health, safety and well-being. Robust risk assessments ensure that children are safe in the home and when out and about. The childminder's home provides children with a choice of areas to play in and access to a wonderful variety of age appropriate, high quality resources and play materials that support their development and learning. The childminder works very closely with parents, ensuring she has an appropriate knowledge and thorough understanding of each child's backgrounds and needs, so that equality and diversity is successfully promoted. Parents are warmly welcomed into the home; they are kept well

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the early years provision

informed through daily discussions and written feedback, as well as having access to a range of clear well written policies and procedures. Parent's comments show they are very happy with the service provided, for example, 'I am very pleased with the childminder's care. My children are happy when I leave them in the mornings, they wave goodbye, then run off and play, which proves that they enjoy being with the childminder. I receive e-mails with photographs of the activities they have done. The childminder is kind, thoughtful and flexible and I have no concerns about leaving my children in her care.' Along with: 'I am extremely happy with the childminder and completely trust her. The childminder ensures that my child has had a full and exciting day with lots of physical activity, home cooked meals, well structured naps, mealtimes and outdoor play. She is also really skilled at bringing out my child's creative side; I like the learning which is incorporated in

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the early years provision

the routine.' The childminder builds effective partnerships with other professionals where appropriate, for instance when attending toddler groups and the childminder drop in groups. Top priority is given to attending local training opportunities to develop and extend her practice and promote continuous improvement. The childminder evaluates her service very well documenting her strengths and weaknesses, the views of children and other interested partners are taken into account leading to further areas for improvement. Previous actions taken to improve the service have lead to improved outcomes for children, for instance, using the skills she has learnt from relevant courses attended, such as a phonological awareness course, has created further opportunities for children to develop their personal, social and emotional development and build on their communication skills and self esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and at home in the childminder's care. They show a very strong sense of belonging as they place their belongings in their personal named box and as they independently select toys and resources and move confidently around the home. They learn to keep themselves safe when the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder talks to them on each outing about 'why they must hold on to the buggy' and 'how to cross the road safely' along with discussions about why they must keep within the sight of the childminder at all times. Clear fire safety precautions are in place and children are beginning to learn about evacuation procedures through games and mini practices to ensure they act quickly in an emergency. Children adopt excellent hygiene routines when they wash their hands straight away when they come in from outside and before eating; the childminder

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and outcomes for children

ensures they develop a significant understanding from a young age as to why they must stick to these routines. They benefit from well-balanced meals and healthy snacks that meet their nutritional needs very well and they enthusiastically learn about healthy living and foods that are good for you when the childminder spends time together with the children, looking at a large healthy heart book and talking about the benefits of exercise on the body. Children take part and enjoy regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle, as they have fun playing on the swings and sliding down the slide in the garden or running through the woods to collect some leaves. Children experience a wide variety of activities and experiences which support their learning and development both at the childminders home and at the range of toddler, music and childminder drop in groups they attend regularly. They make very good relationships with the childminder and respond well to her warm

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and outcomes for children

and caring approach, their behaviour is good and positively encouraged through praise, discussion and example.

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and outcomes for children

Activities are accurately matched to children's interests and abilities. The childminder makes effective observations of children's achievements, identifies and plans future learning experiences to ensure activities consistently build on children's existing knowledge and skills. Children are keen to communicate, their skills are encouraged as they develop excellent relationships with the childminder, through playing exciting games together, such as, 'what's in the bag?' and sharing books together, helping to develop their early reading skills. They begin to solve simple problems and show a sense of achievement when they have worked out 'how to insert the puzzle pieces' into the correct space and as they decide 'which hole the shapes will fit in to' when playing with the shape sorters. They are developing a mathematical awareness through a range of number songs, counting with the abacus and using various numeracy resources, however, further use of

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and outcomes for children

number and identification labels around the home environment both inside and out, could benefit children's early reading and numeracy skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children find out about the world around them when they explore the outdoor environment, for example, when they stop in amazement to observe how a caterpillar has eaten a leaf in the garden or when they go on an exciting visit to the fire station and experience sitting on a real fire engine. The childminder makes the most of diversity to help children understand the society they live in, as they have access to a range of resources which reflect positive images of a multicultural society. All children are valued and helped to develop a positive attitude to equality as differences are openly discussed when questions arise and children engage in a wide range of activities and experiences, which help them to value diversity. Young children develop confidence and skills for the future when they are given opportunities to become independent, for example, 'having a go' at taking their own coats and shoes off when coming in from outside and pulling up their own

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and outcomes for children

trousers after a nappy change. Children express their imaginations as they lovingly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 take care of the 'baby dolls' and give them a turn on the 'swing' out in to the garden. They are well occupied and stimulated throughout the day and thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. 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 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 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 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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