Childminder in Bromley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY276913 Inspection date 22/11/2011 Inspector Mary Van de Peer

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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 registered in 2004 and lives with her family in West Wickham, Bromley, Kent. Children have access to the ground floor rooms. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. There are local parks, schools and pre-schools close by. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of six children under eight years and is currently caring for four children in the early years age group. She is also caring for an older child who is at junior school. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools. Overnight care is available for two children under eight years. The childminder attends local toddler groups 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 has an appropriate understanding of the individual welfare and learning needs of each child. Although children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development overall, the observation and assessment system is not sufficiently used to plan enough challenging and motivating play experiences for each child, in or out of doors. A two-way flow of information, involving parents and other settings in the children's learning and development, is not fully in place. The environment is kept safe through sound risk assessments. The childminder's capacity for maintaining ongoing improvement is satisfactory.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the assessment system, by noting children's achievements, interests and learning styles to plan challenging and motivating play experiences for each child, indoors and outdoors, across all areas of learning and development  improve the two-way flow of information with parents and between providers to promote a shared understanding of children's individual needs, and involve parents in practical ways to support their child's learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded satisfactorily. The childminder is clear about her responsibilities should she have any concerns about a child in her care. This means that the children's welfare is suitably prioritised. Risk assessments are in place and adequately recorded, to help make sure that children can play and learn in safety. The childminder practises her evacuation routine regularly, so that all children can learn how to protect themselves in an emergency. She has maintained her first aid training and is able to deal with children's minor injuries appropriately. She keeps the required records and procedures to promote children's safety and well-being. The childminder regularly attends local toddler groups and she has also completed several childcare-based workshops. She states that she finds these help her keep relatively up-to-date with current requirements and childcare processes.

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the early years provision

The promotion of equality and diversity is evident through most areas of the childminder's practice. All children have equal access to the play and learning opportunities provided, which are aimed at helping them reach their potential. These include the use of positive images of diversity that encourages children to value the differences between people in society. A selection of toys and resources is freely accessible and the range available soundly covers all areas of learning. Children are making satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals. However, too little attention is given to tracking children's progress and involving parents in their children's care and learning. Observational assessments are not always used effectively to inform planning and to support progress in individual children's learning needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder's ability to self-evaluate is steadily developing. Information has yet to be systematically used to help identify and monitor her strengths and priority areas for improvement. However, the childminder wants to provide additional resources and activities to give children further choice in their play. She demonstrates a desire to improving her practice to further promote satisfactory outcomes for children. The childminder recognises the benefits of developing partnerships with other organisations and carers involved in children's care. She talks to staff at other settings attended by children and shares some of the children's plans. These actions support her planning for satisfactory continuity of the children's care and learning. The childminder's engagement with parents is at a satisfactory level. Parents are kept informed about their children's progress and daily routine. Feedback is given by the childminder when parents pick up their

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the early years provision

children. All information is shared verbally and, for some families, through records kept. Children benefit from the attention given through satisfactory partnerships to the continuity of their care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a welcoming environment for children. She has a range of activities and resources, which appropriately supports their progress in different areas of learning. The childminder has some written plans in place, so that children can reach satisfactory outcomes. She knows them sufficiently well to think about what they need to do next. For example, she helps the children to work on letter recognition, counting and communication skills. The childminder spends time talking and listening with the children, giving them support to extend some of their skills and levels of understanding. Children play happily with the childminder and the interaction between them is positive and caring. The childminder praises children appropriately. They show that they feel safe and comfortable in the childminder's care, as they rely on her for help and guidance during play. The childminder talks with the children and makes clear what she expects of them.

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and outcomes for children

Children generally respond appropriately, for example, when asked to share nicely and give each other a turn with a favourite toy.

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and outcomes for children

Children are starting to develop satisfactory skills for the future. For example, they are introduced to technology through the use of interactive toys. Children enjoy art and craft activities and the childminder provides suitable materials to encourage these. Most of the available toys and activities are easily reached by the children present and they are able to make decisions about what they want to play with.Other resources, such as tools and materials for mark making and craft activities, are also nearby, ready for adult-led play. Role play, including dressing- up, is introduced at different times during the day or week. Children are able to use their imagination satisfactorily. They develop the skills needed to use crayons, pencils, paints and brushes, creating pictures that they are proud of. They show enjoyment when choosing toys that they like to play with. Children gain a satisfactory understanding about healthy lifestyles. They are

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and outcomes for children

encouraged to develop healthy eating habits, receiving snacks that are healthy, such as fruit and water. Parents provide children's lunchboxes that, generally, contain health options. Drinks are constantly available and are offered at regular intervals throughout the day, so that children do not become thirsty. Children are introduced to physical activities, as they walk to local parks and to and from local schools and nurseries. However, the garden is not regularly used throughout the year. The childminder helps children follow adequate hygiene routines and explains why they need to learn the importance of appropriate personal care. Children are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe in different situations. The childminder talks to children about road safety and uses activities to show how to cross the road safely. Children are encouraged to learn about the wider world during visits to the local area, including toddler and childminding groups. While out

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and outcomes for children

walking, the childminder talks to children about nature, which encourages them, for example, to pick up autumn leaves to use to create pictures. 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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