Childminder in Bexley

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY430782 Inspection date 19/01/2012 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 was registered in 2011. She lives with her partner and two children aged five years and 22 months, in an extended semi-detached house in Sidcup, in the London Borough of Bexley. The whole of the ground floor is used for child minding purposes. There is a secure garden for outside play. Schools, shops, a library and public parks are within walking distance. 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 four children under eight years. Of these, two may be in the early years age range at any one time. She is currently caring for four children in the early years age group, one of whom attends on a full time basis. The childminder attends local 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

The childminder provides children with a wide range of stimulating indoor and outdoor activities, helping them to make good overall progress towards the early learning goals. Children are happy, settled and develop close relationships with the childminder and her family. Their welfare and safety is given high priority and is underpinned by comprehensive written procedural documentation. The childminder works effectively in partnership with parents to ensure that children's individual needs are consistently met. She is committed to continuous improvement and is using self-evaluation, training and parents' views to help her achieve this.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 provide more positive image resources that help to extend children's awareness of disability  increase the use of labelling to further develop children's understanding that text carries meaning

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder fully understands her role and responsibility to keep children safe. She has recently attended safeguarding training and demonstrates a good awareness of Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Her safeguarding folder is handed out to parents and contains information that is paramount in supporting her to protect their children. It includes a safeguarding policy/ procedure, a safeguarding leaflet, signs and symptoms of possible abuse and a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 flowchart which shows them the steps should a safeguarding issue occur. All adults living on the premises have been appropriately vetted and the childminder holds a valid first aid certificate. Regular risk assessments are carried out on her home and necessary safety precautions are put in place. Fire alarms are connected to the mains and have back up batteries which are regularly checked. Six monthly

p.4

the early years provision

emergency drills are carried out so the children are aware of the process in case of an emergency. All required records and documentation are appropriately maintained.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder promotes inclusive practice. Her equal opportunities policy, which is given to parents, explains that all children are treated as individuals and with equal concern, regardless of their age, gender, race, religion or disability. The childminder's home is well organised providing children with a spacious indoor and outdoor play environment. Children have good access to a wide range of good quality toys and resources, encouraging them to self-select and make choices about their play. Although resources include multi-cultural toys and books, resources promoting disability are less evident. The childminder develops strong relationships with parents and works in partnership to share information and meet children's individual needs. For example, before a child starts parents are asked to provide information about their child's likes, interests and starting points. She uses daily record sheets, verbal discussions, contact books, photographs and progress

p.5

the early years provision

folders to ensure parents are kept well informed about their children's care and progress. The childminder also has good links with the nursery and school she collects children from and regularly shares information with teachers.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is very enthusiastic about her job. She is committed to providing good quality care for children and is continually searching for new ways to improve her practice, for example, using knowledge gained from the internet, training courses, the local authority, fellow childminding friends and parents' view. Since her registration she has attended several training courses and is very keen to attend more training in the future. She is successfully using self-evaluation to reflect on her provision and to identify areas for development. For example, she is planning to involve parents more in their children's learning and to provide six- monthly reports on their children's progress towards the early learning goals.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children show a strong sense of belonging and of feeling safe. They confidently move between the rooms and explore and play in the spacious environment. They develop close relationships with the childminder and happily play on their own, knowing that she is always on hand to join in and support their play when needed. The childminder uses information gained from parents, the nursery/school and weekly observations to help her plan activities to ensure children are working towards their learning goals. She takes notes of what she sees and uses photographs for her observations. The practice guidance is used to monitor children's progress and to help her plan for the next steps in their learning. Parents can look at their child's observation record at their leisure. During the week This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children take part in a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities, both

p.5

and outcomes for children

indoors and outdoors. The activities are linked to the six areas of learning and help children to gain skills for the future.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder spends a lot of time playing with children and talking to them, helping them to develop their communication and listening skills. Older children confidently use language to organise their play and to express themselves, while younger children are beginning to copy sounds and words. Children enjoy singing familiar songs, choosing books and listening to stories read to them by the childminder. However, there is very little labelling on boxes of resources and equipment to further increase children's awareness that text carries meaning. Children learn to count and to recognise colours, numbers and shapes throughout their play. They confidently develop their problem solving skills using puzzles, shape sorters, cause and effect toys and various construction resources. Children have great fun pretending to cook and make cups of tea, taking their baby for a walk in the buggy and playing shops with the childminder. They take part in

p.6

and outcomes for children

various art and craft activities and today, enjoy painting dragon masks in preparation for celebrating Chinese New Year. Outings to various toddler groups, the library and local parks help to broaden children's understanding of the wider world. The childminder also uses this time to teach children about road safety and stranger danger.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's health and welfare is fully promoted and the childminder's good practice is underpinned by comprehensive written policies and procedures. Parents are provided with a copy of her sick child policy, together with a list of infectious diseases and exclusion periods. Appropriate procedures are in place for the administration of medication and recording of accidents. Children are cared for in a very clean and well maintained environment and are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles. Older children know to use liquid soap and paper hand towels, which helps prevent cross-infection. Children have daily opportunities to exercise whether it's walking to and from school, or playing in the garden, at the park or the soft play centre. Indoors they enjoy dancing and singing action songs to music. This helps them to gain an understanding about the importance of regular exercise, as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The childminder promotes healthy eating

p.6

and outcomes for children

and offers children a healthy balanced diet with meals cooked freshly each day, and fresh fruit snacks. She works with parents to ensure children's dietary needs are met. The childminder acts as a good role model and encourages children to develop their social and independence skills. Children behave in a very positive manner because the childminder constantly promotes their self-esteem through lots of praise and encouragement and by setting clear and consistent boundaries. 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 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

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