Childminder in Bexley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY344647 Inspection date 09/12/2011 Inspector Sarer Tarling

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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 2007 and lives with her adult son. The family home is an extended four bedroom terraced house, located in Bexleyheath, in the London borough of Bexley. The whole of the property is suitable to be used for childminding although minded children play on the ground floor where the family bathroom is also located. There is an enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The family has a West Highland Terrier dog and goldfish. The home setting is within reach of many local amenities including parks, the library, schools and shops and has good transport links. The childminder can walk to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of four children under eight at any one time; of these, not more than three may be in the

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Description of the childminding

early years age group. There are currently five part time children on roll, two of whom are in the early years age range.

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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 provided with a well balanced, inclusive and enriching environment in which they truly flourish. They eagerly take part in a wide range of stimulating activities and play experiences that purposefully extend their learning and development exceedingly well. With the exception of first aid, all aspects of children's safety and welfare are extremely well met. The childminder reflects on her daily practice, helping to identify her strengths and priorities that will continuously improve the quality of the provision for all children. However, her systems of self evaluation are not sufficiently robust.

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further?

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

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further?

 attend a training course to obtain a current paediatric first aid certificate. First aid training must be approved by the local authority and consistent with the guidance set out in the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage. (Suitable People) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 09/02/2012 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop the systems used for self evaluation; for example, implement a system which clearly identifies future training requirements

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a highly caring and professional approach. She has an excellent understanding of her role and responsibility with regard to safeguarding. All adults in the home are vetted to check their suitability to be with children. The childminder's written policy and procedure clearly sets out her commitment to identifying and responding appropriately to any child protection concerns, ensuring vulnerable children are protected.

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the early years provision

Children remain safe as the childminder robustly risk assesses everything children come into contact with in her home, garden and on outings. Well thought out emergency evacuation procedures are in place and are carried out regularly with the children. Trips to the fire station and activities on bonfire night develop children's understanding of their own safety. Required documentation is well maintained and contributes to the safe and efficient management of the service. In the event of any accidents, details are recorded and shared with parents. However, the childminder recently discovered her first aid certificate has expired. This is a breach of requirements, although she immediately made enquiries and has booked to attend a course.

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the early years provision

The home is warm and welcoming and provides a highly stimulating learning environment. Children are encouraged to make choices about their play and select easily from the range of good quality play resources. Equality and diversity are consistently and effectively promoted and the childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of the children and their needs. She uses information, gained from parents, about each child's interests, capabilities and routines as a basis for their individual care. Children with special education needs are extremely well supported. Through the use of resources, activities and discussion, children are encouraged to learn about the wider world and to respect and embrace difference. For example, children play musical instruments and wear clothes from other countries and learn the different ways people celebrate.

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the early years provision

Partnerships between the childminder, the children's nursery and school are outstanding and significantly contribute towards promoting consistent care. The childminder volunteers at both settings in order to support and extend children's learning and to further develop her skills and knowledge of how children learn. The childminder is committed to continuous improvement and uses self-evaluation to successfully reflect on her practice and to seek out ways of making improvements that will enhance outcomes for children, for example, by learning more about an educational approach to outdoor play and acquiring sign language skills. However, the self-evaluation system is not yet robust enough to help identify when training This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 requirements are due to be updated.

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the early years provision

The childminder builds positive relationships with parents and invites them to become involved in all aspects of their child's care and learning. The childminder meets regularly with parents to share records of children's progress and involves them in future learning and development plans. Written references from parents are extremely complimentary, reflecting their high levels of satisfaction with all areas of the childminder's service.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder due to her enthusiasm and commitment to them. Her nurturing approach has helped children form close bonds and they are becoming confident and sociable around other adults and their peers at the activity groups they attend. Children are showered with praise and encouragement from the childminder. They express how they feel, smiling proudly when they succeed at their chosen task, showing they are confident and feel secure. The childminder supports children in learning about their own safety, for example, how to cross the road safely and not talking to strangers.

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and outcomes for children

Excellent health and hygiene routines are in place. Children learn about healthy lifestyles including taking responsibility for keeping their hands and faces clean. Cross infection is minimised as each child uses their own hand towel which the childminder has embroidered with their initial. Meal times are social occasions where children learn good table manners and make healthy choices from the varied and balanced range of highly nutritious meals and snacks. Individual dietary needs are discussed with parents and any special requirements followed. Active lifestyles are promoted extremely well. Children enjoy walking the dog and using the apparatus at local parks to develop their large motor skills. The garden is used all year round where children play ball games, ride on scooters and bounce on the space hopper. Provision is made for children to rest or sleep comfortably during the day.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses the individual way in which children learn to ensure their time with her is valuable by providing stimulating learning experiences, both in the home and in the local community. They have tremendous fun while bowling, visiting farms or travelling by train to see the Olympic stadium. Children have excellent opportunities for developing their creativity through various art and craft activities and mark making as these are readily available each day. Children participate in recycling activities which help them to understand about protecting the environment. They enjoy listening to music and sing along to the songs and rhymes as they play. Children have access to a wide selection of books and enjoy listening to stories skilfully read to them by the childminder. Vibrant conversations flow and a high emphasis is placed on building children's speaking and listening skills. This successfully builds their confidence to communicate and acts as a firm

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 foundation for reading and writing.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses activities effectively to help children develop their counting skills and to recognise numbers, colours and shapes. Baking activities encourage the children to count, weigh and measure, and role play enables children to act out real life experiences and provides them with challenges, such as matching the correct clothing to different-sized dolls. Children are fully engaged and well behaved. They have an excellent attitude to learning and parents report their children love spending time with the childminder and receive a firm foundation to the development of their future skills. The childminder uses her wealth of knowledge to record and monitor children's individual progress toward the early learning goals. 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 1 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 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified for the early years section of the report (Suitable People) 09/02/2012

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified for the early years section of the report (Suitable People) 09/02/2012

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