Childminder in Bexley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY244194 Inspection date 15/09/2011 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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged 12, nine and eight years, in a three bedroom terraced house in Barnehurst, in the borough of Bexley. The whole of the premises is suitable for childminding, although children generally use the lounge for play. There is also an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family has a pet cat, hamster and fish. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for six children under eight years; of these three may be in the early years age group at any one time. There are currently two children in the early years age range on roll. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

Children are happy, settled and very much at home with the childminder because she provides them with a caring, safe and stimulating environment. She has a good knowledge of the children and strong partnerships with parents and other early years professionals. This enables her to provide continuity in children's care and plan for their individual learning. As a result, children make good progress towards the early learning goals, overall. The childminder is positive in her approach to maintaining continuous improvement which she achieves through training and developing her self-evaluation.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide picture and written labels on resources to increase children's awareness that text carries meaning  develop further systems for self-evaluation.

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the early years provision

The childminder implements effective systems to help children to be safe and secure in her care. She demonstrates a good understanding of child protection issues and is clear about her role and responsibility for recording and reporting concerns in line with Local Safeguarding Children's Board procedures. Outings and all areas of the childminder's home are risk assessed to ensure that possible hazards are minimised and children are kept safe. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and all adults in her home have been appropriately vetted. All This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 required records are in place and are well maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child and ensures that their individual needs are identified and met. Activities are adapted to ensure all children can take part and boys and girls encouraged to play with full range of resources. Children have access to toys and books that provide positive images of diversity and celebrate different festivals to help them learn about difference. The childminder works closely with parents and other settings children attend and shares information on a regular basis. She provides parents with good information about her provision and uses verbal feedback and a two-way contact book to share information about daily routines, activities and children's achievements. Parents are happy with the care provided and have included an entry in the contact books for today which says 'Good luck, you are wonderful'.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of the available space within her home. Children can choose what they want to play with from toys and books stored in a low-level cupboard and plastic storage boxes, kept in the lounge. Other resources are regularly rotated or put out if asked for by children. The childminder is committed to continuous improvement and her systems to do so are good, overall. She has attended training on the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and on observation and assessment. Plans are in place to update her safeguarding training in the near future. The previous recommendation has been addressed and the childminder has printed a copy of the Ofsted form to use to improve her self- evaluation further.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and very much at home with the childminder and her family because she has a warm and responsive approach to caring for their differing needs. The childminder knows the children well and supports them individually to make good overall progress, across all areas of their learning and development. She observes children through play and spending time with them during activities. Individual learning journals are kept for each child and contain information about their likes, interests, activities and achievements, and include planning to help them make progress. Children feel safe and secure because the childminder provides them with familiar routines, encourages their independence and joins in activities to extend their learning. The childminder reminds children not to run indoors in case they hurt themselves. They learn about road safety and stranger danger when they are on outings.

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and outcomes for children

They confidently make choices about what they want to do, eagerly participate in activities and enjoy helping the childminder with little tasks, such as hanging up their aprons and clearing away the toys. The childminder promotes their language, listening and thinking skills by consistently talking to them, asking questions and making sure she listens to their responses. Children have great fun sitting on the floor with her to play games which help them to learn social skills, such as taking turns and sharing, and to develop their counting skills. They enjoy choosing books This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and sitting with her to listen to stories, to talk about the pictures and to recognise letters of the alphabet. However, opportunities are missed to further extend children's understanding that text carries meaning as there are no labels on resources. Children have good opportunities to be creative through a wide range of

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and outcomes for children

art and craft activities, role play and dressing up. They learn about the wider world on outings to toddler groups, the local pet shop, library, toy library and parks. Indoors, they enjoy celebrating various festivals and playing with positive image play resources to help them learn about difference.

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and outcomes for children

Children adopt health lifestyles. They have great fun using the trampoline in the garden and going to the park for physical play. The childminder takes them to the supermarket to buy fresh fruit and vegetables providing good opportunities to discuss healthy eating. Drinking water is provided throughout the day to prevent children becoming thirsty. Children learn good personal hygiene routines and understand about the need to wash their hands before snack and mealtimes and after going to the toilet. Provision is made for children to rest during the day. The childminder promotes good behaviour by keeping children busy. Their independence is encouraged and they are consistently praised for their achievements to promote their self-esteem. As a result, children are happy, confident and well behaved as they develop a range of skills to support them in their future learning. 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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