Childminder in Bexley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY307322 Inspection date 27/10/2011 Inspector Chris 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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and teenage son in Slade Green, Erith, in the borough of Bexley. Children have access to the playroom and toilet facilities on the ground floor of the childminder's house. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years; of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group at any one time. There are currently two part-time children in the early years age range on roll. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group and 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides an inclusive and homely environment in which children are happy and make satisfactory progress towards most of the six areas of learning overall. Although she ensures her home is safe, there is no formal record of her risk assessment and she does not have written consent from parents for seeking emergency medical treatment. These are breaches of legal requirements. Resources are deployed suitably overall, although they lack those that reflect diversity to support children's understanding culture and disability. The childminder provides a flexible service to parents and works in partnership to meet children's needs. The childminder is committed to continuous improvements and achieves this through self- evaluation and on-going training.

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further?

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

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further?

 request written parental permission at the time of the child's admission to the provision, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 04/11/2011

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further?

 make a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 11/11/2011

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  increase opportunities for children to explore and become aware of differences in culture and disability by providing more play resources and books that help them to value diversity  improve the indoor environment so that resources are appropriate, well maintained and accessible for all children  improve systems for observation and assessment so that information gathered about each child's individual progress is clearly linked to the early learning goals and is used to plan for the next steps in their learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands her role and responsibility to safeguard the welfare of children in her care. She is aware of possible indicators of child abuse and has relevant phone numbers and a written safeguarding procedure to refer to, in the event that she has any concerns. Both the childminder and her husband have both been appropriately vetted. The childminder uses a check list to ensure that her home is safe each day before children arrive and that necessary safety precautions are in place. However, she does not have a formal record of her risk assessment that states when these are carried out, by whom and any action taken following a review or incident. Although the childminder's record keeping is rather disorganised, most specified documentation is in place. However, she does not request written consent from parents for seeking emergency treatment or advice. The childminder has not considered the benefits of completing written child record

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the early years provision

forms for each child, although she confirms she has discussed the children's specific needs verbally with parents.

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the early years provision

The play room is generally well organised so that children can move around freely and make some choices about their play. However, many of the toys are jumbled together and are rather difficult to access without the help of the childminder. Also resources, such as puzzles and dolls, have pieces and parts missing which means they do not support children's learning fully. Several colourful posters displayed in the play room help to support children's learning about numbers, colours and shapes. The childminder plans activities based on children's likes and interests and which cover most of the six areas of learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder welcomes all children and families into her home and ensures that activities are adapted so that all children can take part. Children take part in activities that help them begin to understand the wider world around them. However, there are few resources that reflect culture and disability to support this in their daily play. The childminder develops close relationships with parents and provides a flexible service. Information about each child's day is shared with parents verbally and information about her setting is displayed on a parents' notice board and through her written policies and procedures. The childminder has a positive attitude to working with other early years professionals but does not have any links in place at the current time. The childminder uses parent questionnaires and formally evaluates her practice to identify areas for future development. Since her previous inspection she has made improvements to her garden and has

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 attended lots of training courses. She has completed qualifications in Children's Care Learning and Development at both level 3 and 4 and is currently in the process of completing an Open University Degree in Early Years.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder knows the children well and supports them to make satisfactory progress in their learning and development through a varied range of indoor and outdoor activities. Photographs of activities and samples of children's art work allow parents to see visual examples of their children's play and progress. Although the childminder completes simple observations of children in a learning journal and plans some next steps, she does not track children's progress towards the early learning goals. Therefore she cannot be sure that children 's individual learning is actively promoted across each of the six areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, confident and enjoy a close relationship with the childminder. They feel safe because they know the childminder is always on hand to join in their play and to provide support and cuddles. Children are developing increasing language and listening skills because the childminder spends a lot of time talking to them. Younger children are beginning to vocalise and imitate adults while older children confidently use language to express themselves and to recall past experiences, such as a family visit to the London Eye. Children enjoy looking at books, listening to stories and developing their mark making and early writing skills. They have great fun singing songs and playing musical instruments. Children enjoy a variety of art and craft activities although opportunities for role play are limited. Children have fun investigating with toys that have buttons to press to make noises and building with blocks, although there are insufficient complete

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and outcomes for children

puzzles available to fully encourage children's problem solving skills. Children learn to count and to recognise colours throughout their play. Outings to toddler groups and the library help to broaden and encourage children's knowledge and understanding of the wider community.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is suitably promoted. The childminder's home is clean and well maintained. Appropriate procedures are in place for the administration of medication and the recording of accidents. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene routines such as hand washing after toileting and playing in the garden, and before meal times. Individual coloured hand towels are provided for each child to prevent cross infection. Children have access to daily outdoor physical play in the garden where they enjoy running around and playing with balls, riding on bikes and jumping on the trampolines. Provision is made for children to rest during the day when required. The childminder promotes healthy eating although parents currently supply their children's food and drink. Children relate well to the childminder and enjoy lots of praise and encouragement as they learn consistent boundaries and appropriate social skills such as sharing and taking turns.

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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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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