Childminder in Barking and Dagenham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 504365 Inspection date 28/11/2011 Inspector Marilyn Peacock

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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 1981. She lives with her husband in a house in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham within walking distance of local schools, shops, parks, bus routes and a short drive from Becontree Station.

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Description of the childminding

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for no more than 5 children under 8 years; of these, not more than 3 may be in the early years age group, and of these, not more than 1 may be under 1 year at any one time. She is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is not registered to provide overnight care. The childminder is currently minding two children in the early years age group. She also takes to and collects children from the local school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis and a local childminder's group once a week.

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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 provides a welcoming, well-resourced environment where children are happy and settled. Overall, the required records are well-maintained. All children are made to feel valued and their individual needs are met. The childminder's knowledge of her minded children helps ensure they are making good progress. However, the children's learning records lack detail. Partnerships with parents and others promote individual children's care and continued learning successfully. The childminder is confident about what she needs to do to develop further and demonstrates a positive capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the observation and assessment systems to clearly show how well children are progressing from their starting point and how any achievement gaps are noted and narrowed  record the risk assessments for all outings and trips. 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 well safeguarded. The childminder has a good knowledge of possible signs and symptoms which may be of concern. She regularly attends training to help ensure she is up-to-date with current reporting processes. A useful policy is in place which outlines the systems which are in place should she have concerns about a child in her care. The policy also outlines the procedure she would follow if there was an allegation made against herself or a member of her household. Comprehensive risk assessments are in place covering all aspects of the childminders house and garden. They clearly outline any potential hazards and identify the steps taken to minimise these. Some of the regular outing and trips the childminder takes with the children have also been risk assessed to promote children's safety when away from the childminding premises. The childminder ensures that her first aid training is kept current in addition she has parental

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the early years provision

permission to seek emergency advice or treatment for children. Therefore, is able to act in children's best interest should they become unwell or require emergency care. Emergency evacuation procedures are practices with the children every month and the outcome, time taken and any improvements to be made are noted and acted on. Fully working smoke alarms are on each level of the house and a carbon monoxide alarms is strategically place above the kitchen door. Resources are stored at children's level so they can make choices easily. They are checked regularly and any broken toys, toy with parts missing are disposed of. Lots of resources reflect the multicultural world we live in. They also help to promote diversity and provide positive images of gender, race and ability.

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the early years provision

The partnership with parents is well established. Parents speak very highly of the childminder, highlighting the level of care she provides and the strong relationships she has with their children. Accident, medication and incident records are signed by parents to acknowledge any entries. Specific care plans are in place for children that need particular medical care. The childminder makes a record of how children have spent their day, their mood that day and any specific events in the child's day book which parents sign to say they have seen. They also share information verbally each day. Therefore, children's continuing welfare needs are known and can be acted on promptly. At the start of any childminding arrangement the childminder and the parents complete an 'All about me' profile. This is used to help plan for each child's individual settling in programme and the start of their learning journey. A strong working relationship is in place with other providers of the Early

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the early years provision

Years Foundation Stage that children attend. This helps to promote continuity of care and learning. The childminder reflects on her practice and is able to identify her strengths and areas which could be improved realistically.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and confident in the childminders care. They show they feel safe and secure as they explore the toys and equipment available. They readily This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 approach the childminder for cuddles and reassurance or to request a snack when they feel hungry. Children learn about diversity and the wider world as part of every day activities. This provides good opportunities for the childminder to talk about differences and similarities as children play. The childminder knows the children well, and uses this knowledge to identify the children's next steps on their learning journeys. However, children's learning records are limited and do not easily show children's progress across the areas of learning from their starting points. This makes it more difficult to be sure that there are no gaps in children's learning. Children enjoy art and crafts. They use a wide range of resources to

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and outcomes for children

demonstrate their creativity including feathers, chalk, glitter and tissue. Examples of children's work are displayed proudly on the parents' notice board for all to see.

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and outcomes for children

Children use their imaginations well dressing up and acting out familiar stories. The childminder helps children develop their letter and number skills as they complete jigsaw puzzles and read their favourite books snuggled up on her lap. Trips to the shops are used to help children understand the value of money and cost of items. Shopping lists help children begin to understand that print conveys meaning. The childminder is interested in what children do and say she supports their learning effectively as they play. She asks some challenging questions and introduces new vocabulary and concepts to encourage children to think. Children's behaviour is good. The childminder works effectively with parents to help ensure children receive consistent messages on acceptable behaviour. Children are eager to please and are responsive to the childminders praise and encouragement.

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and outcomes for children

The home is kept clean and good routines help the children to learn about keeping themselves healthy. They are aware that they need to wash their hands before preparing food and eating as well as after using the toilet. Parents are given helpful information about exclusion periods within a written child sickness policy, helping to limit cross infection. Children's dietary and nutritional needs are well met. Parents provide children's main meal of the day which the childminder refrigerates or freezes and reheats according to their wishes. Children's physical development is well supported. Children walk home from school and use the garden and local parks to play ball games and enjoy running freely. Children explore their local community as they go for walks and visit local places of interest. Children's understanding of the world about us and nature is promoted as they help to plant up the containers in the garden and watch the plants grow as they

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and outcomes for children

water them. 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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