Childminder in Bromley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 137150 Inspection date 28/02/2012 Inspector Claire Douglas

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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 1992. She lives with her husband and one adult child in a house in a residential area of Beckenham, in the London Borough of Bromley. The home is close to shops, parks, schools and local transport links. The main area of the property used for childminding purposes are the living room and conservatory, one bedroom and bathroom facilities on the first floor. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years.

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Description of the childminding

Children attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder supports children with special education needs and/or disabilities, and children who are learning to speak English as an additional language. The childminder has formed links with other early years settings such as the local pre-schools, infants and junior schools and other childminders. The childminder receives support from the local authority through the early years development team.

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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 effectively promotes all aspects of children's welfare and development. Children are safe and well cared for in her warm, inclusive home and warmly welcomed as part of the family. Good relationships with parents ensure that the childminder knows children well and overall provides the care and support they need. The childminder strives for continuous improvement, she has begun to reflect on the service she provides, seeking parents and children's views, ensuring that priorities for development are identified and acted on. This results in a provision that is responsive to the needs of the children she cares for and their families.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the range of opportunities and resources to further encourage and inspire exploration and foster children's natural curiosity. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very clear understanding of responsibilities towards the children in her care, which helps to safeguard their welfare. She knows what steps to take if she has concerns about a child, and has completed child protection training. She keeps all of the required records that promote children's health, safety and well-being. Risk assessments ensure that children are safe in the home and when out and about.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home provides children with space to play and access to a variety of age-appropriate resources and play materials that support their development and learning. The childminder works closely and consistently with parents. This ensures she has appropriate knowledge and thorough understanding of each child's backgrounds and needs, seeking extra information where required, so that equality and diversity is promoted well.

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the early years provision

Parents are welcomed into the home. They are kept informed effectively through daily discussions and feedback at the end of each week, as well as having access to a range of well written policies and procedures. Parents' positive comments show they are happy with the service provided. For example, parents say, 'Our children have prospered in her care. They look forward to going to her house.' and 'Despite being active children the childminder is always calm and in control. Children listen to and respect her.' Other comments include 'My children have always enjoyed spending time at the childminders and particularly value the craft work and baking that they do in the holidays. The childminder has always been helpful and able to accommodate any temporary changes to the childcare arrangements if required. Overall she provides a welcoming, calm environment in which the children feel at home.' An older child's view is that 'There's a wide range

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the early years provision

of things to do for all ages, abilities and interests. Everyone is entertained even though were all rather different.'

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the early years provision

The childminder builds positive partnerships with other professionals where appropriate, for instance when sharing information with the local pre-school and primary schools and liaising with childminders for advice and support. She values local training opportunities and endeavours to attend relevant courses to develop and extend her practice and promote continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder has begun to evaluate her service; seeking the views of children, parents/carers and other agencies to assist in the identification of strengths and weaknesses and provide an additional focus for improvements. Previous actions taken to develop the service have lead to improved outcomes for children, for instance, the childminder has introduced the children to new activity groups within the area, and this provides them with further opportunities to develop their self- confidence and personal, social and emotional skills. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children show a strong sense of belonging and security at the childminders. They are familiar with the daily routine and expectations and are learning how to keep themselves safe. They discuss daily why they need to stop, look both ways and wait for the correct signal, before they cross the road. They know not to open the door when the bell rings as the childminder talks to them about the fact that it could be a stranger and they know what to do in an emergency as games and discussions are developed to increase their understanding.

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and outcomes for children

Children adopt good simple hygiene routines. They wash their hands before their snack or after a messy activity, using the liquid soap and paper towels that help protect them from the risk of cross-infection. They make healthy choices as they are offered a varied and nutritional menu which incorporates fruit and vegetables daily. Children enjoy physical exercise outside every day as part of a healthy lifestyle. For instance, walking to the local school and back, visiting the park to practice running or kicking a ball or climbing skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop warm relationships with the childminder. She is dedicated to ensuring the children are well occupied and enjoying their time, whilst encouraging learning and sharing through the games they play together. Their behaviour is good and they show an awareness of responsibility within the home. Increasing levels of independence are promoted as they select their own play materials and enjoy suitable praise as they put them away before choosing something else. The childminder ensures that children are given the time and support they need to master skills for the future, such as, practicing dressing skills and learning how to hang their coats up when they have taken them off.

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and outcomes for children

Young children spend their time with a selection of play resources and experiences that support their learning and development. However, developing the resources to include play with natural materials could benefit their exploration and curiosity. Children take part in a good variety of activities both in the home and through visits to groups, including, a singing and dancing group and regular trips to the library which they love. Their development is supported across all areas of learning, and they are interested and motivated to learn. The childminder makes observations of children's achievements and identifies the next steps for their learning; which are then used to formulate the activity planning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are keen to communicate and are beginning to use early language skills to start conversations and express their ideas. They are showing a growing enjoyment of books, listen attentively to stories and enjoy looking at books on their own and together with the childminder. Children use their problem-solving skills to work out how they will get the people in to the play airplane and the puzzle pieces into the frame, showing delight when it fits. They explore the natural world when walking out and about watching the birds and butterflies. They are encouraged to enjoy planting as they help care for the tomatoes in the summer and watch to see whose sunflower will get the tallest. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder makes the most of diversity to help children understand the world they live in. Open discussions about what they can see when they are out in the

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and outcomes for children

community are continuous. The childminder helps the children learn to value differences when they take time to discuss various festivals and share library books that they have chosen as part of their routine or when taking part in the summer reading challenge.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to use their imaginations as they play and particularly enjoy dancing and singing to music or mixing up some pretend fruit in a bowl with the imaginative fruit equipment. They enjoy craft activities such as making cakes and use crayons and paints freely to design according to their own ideas. Children benefit from a well-balanced daily routine; they are occupied and stimulated throughout the day. They thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. 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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