Childminder in Bexley

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY269139 Inspection date 17/11/2011 Inspector Chris Hodge

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 2003. She lives with her husband, who is registered as her assistant, and two children aged seven and 13 years in Sidcup, in the London borough of Bexley. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes, together with the first floor bathroom. There is an 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 five children under eight years; of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group at any one time. She is currently caring for two children in the early years age group, one of whom is full time and the other before and after school. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler groups and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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

Children are cared for in a warm, affectionate and inclusive home environment. They are happy, settled and make good overall progress towards the early learning goals because the childminder plans a wide range of stimulating indoor and outdoor activities. She establishes good relationships with parents and works in partnership to promote children's individual needs are consistently met. Children's welfare and safety is given high priority and is underpinned by comprehensive written policies and procedural documentation. The childminder has a very professional attitude to all aspects of her practice and is proactive in ensuring she maintains continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 provide children with more accessibility to play resources and consider the use of picture and written labelling on storage boxes to increase children's understanding that text carries meaning  establish a system for sharing information with other early years settings children attend, in order to provide continuity in their care and learning .

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of child protection issues and of her role and responsibility for safeguarding children. She has recently attended training to up-date her safeguarding knowledge and has a clear safeguarding policy to refer to, should she have any concerns about a child in her care. Both the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder and her husband, who sometimes works as her assistant, have been appropriately vetted and hold valid first aid certificates. Rigorous risk assessments are completed on the premises and for outings. Necessary safety precautions are in place in the home to help children stay safe and appropriate seats and restraints are provided when travelling in the childminder's car. All required documentation is well maintained and available for inspection.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder welcomes all families and children into her home and recognises the uniqueness of each child. She develops close relationships with parents and works in partnership to promote children's individual needs are consistently met. Parents are provided with good information about her practice and are kept very well informed about their children's day and progress, through daily learning journals, photographs and verbal exchanges. Although the childminder has links with her local school and is positive about sharing information about children she is caring for in the early years age group, she has not yet been able to achieve this.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder's home is well organised providing children with lots of play space. An extensive range of toys, books and play resources are stored in clear plastic storage boxes which are kept in the conservatory. Although the childminder takes boxes of toys into the lounge for younger children to play with, opportunities for children to self- select and make choices about their play are restricted. The activities children are offered promote their development in each of the six areas of learning of the Early Years Foundation Stage and help them to gain skills for the future. The childminder is very professional and conscientious in all aspects of her provision. She is committed to providing children with good quality care and uses self -evaluation and information from parent questionnaires to identify strengths and areas for improvement. She is proactive in continually improving her childcare knowledge by attending training and meeting up with other childminders to share

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder's warm and responsive approach to caring for children's differing needs promote that they are happy, settled and relate well to her and her family. Children make good overall progress in their learning and development because the childminder observes them closely, monitors their progress toward the early learning goals and carefully plans for the next steps in their learning. The childminder knows the children well and supports them in their learning by providing a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities that cover the six areas of learning.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure because the childminder provides them with positive relationships and familiar routines. They greet the childminder's husband with affection and confidently approach him for a cuddle, and to join in their play. Children are becoming increasingly sociable and independent. For example, they are very proud when they achieve skills such as putting on their own shoes and doing up the zip. They confidently play on their own for short periods of time, in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the secure knowledge that the childminder is always on hand to join in and to provide cuddles. Younger children are developing their early language skills well, because the childminder constantly talks to them and encourages their responses. Children enjoy going to the library for story time and sitting with the childminder to look at picture books and to sing familiar songs and rhymes. Children have access

p.5

and outcomes for children

to a wide range of books and good opportunities for mark making. However, opportunities are missed to further increase their understanding that text carries meaning, as there is no labelling on boxes of resources. Puzzles and construction resources encourage children to develop their problem solving skills and younger children enjoy exploring with toys that have buttons to press and that make noises. The childminder helps children to learn mathematical concepts such as counting, colours, numbers and shapes throughout their play. Regular outings during the week to various toddler groups enable children to socialise with other children and to take part in a variety of messy and creative activities. Planned trips in the holidays to various farms, museums, zoos and parks help to broaden children's knowledge and understanding of the wider world. Indoors children take part in activities that help them to value and respect diversity and one another's

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder has a number of policies which fully promote the welfare of children and underpin her good practice. For example, unwell and infectious children are excluded from her provision in order to minimise cross infection, and appropriate procedures are in place for the recording of medication and accidents. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained home environment. They learn the importance of good personal hygiene routines such as hand washing after going to the toilet and before meal times. The childminder currently only supplies children with breakfast and afternoon snacks. However, she promotes healthy eating by providing fresh fruit and vegetables snacks and talking to children about foods that are good and bad for them. Provision is made for children to rest during the day if required. Children have access to regular fresh air and exercise, through activities such as swimming, walking and playing in the

p.6

and outcomes for children

garden. When walking to and from school with children the childminder teaches them about road safety and stranger danger. She endorses positive behaviour by giving children lots of praise and encouragement to help build their self-esteem. As a result children are happy, confident and enjoy their time spent with the childminder as they develop a range of skills to support their future learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 2 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

p.7

Stage

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

p.7

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.7

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.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8