Childminder in Barking and Dagenham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 504400 Inspection date 12/03/2012 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 registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and adult family in a residential area of Dagenham. Her home is within walking distance of local shops, library and parks. She takes minded children to and collects from the local school. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor, with toilet facilities available on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for no more than four children under 8 years; of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group, and of these, not more than one may be under 1 year at any one time. The childminder currently has three children in the early years age range on roll.

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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 is welcoming to parents and their children and she provides a loving and caring environment, which meets children's individual needs well. They are making good progress on their individual learning journeys overall, with the support of the attentive, friendly childminder. Children are effectively safeguarded and the childminder promotes their welfare well overall; however, she does not meet all legal requirements relating to documentation. Risk assessments cover most areas of the childminder's premises and outings for children. The childminder demonstrates a good capacity to improve and is committed to developing her service. Realistic self-evaluation identifies her strengths and weaker areas of practice to bring about continuous improvement and enhance outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that all records relating to children's welfare are readily accessible and available for inspection by Ofsted at all times (Documentation) 26/03/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 make sure the risk assessment covers anything with which a child may come into contact, for example, overgrown bushes in the garden  provide regular opportunities for children to learn about differences and similarities, for example, by exploring different cultures, festivals and events. 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 good understanding of her responsibility to safeguard children. She understands the borough reporting systems should she have concerns. All of the required polices and procedures are in place to guide the childminder's day and support her practice. However, the childminder was unable to show the required records relating to children's welfare on the day of the inspection. This is a specific legal requirement and potentially compromises children's safety while in the childminders care. The premises are generally safe as the childminder has carried out risk assessments of her premises inside and out. However, the risk assessment of the garden does not cover anything with which a child may have contact, such as the overgrown shrubs. These have developed some spikes at low level and could pose a risk to children when playing outside. Each outing or trip is thoroughly assessed prior to the visit to help ensure children

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the early years provision

are always protected. These are then reviewed in the light of changing circumstances for example, adverse weather, roadworks or the age of children undertaking the outing. The childminder also takes all the necessary information and equipment with her, including parents contact details, mobile telephone and a first aid kit. Emergency evacuation procedures are practised once a month and the childminder keeps a record of the drill to enable future improvements to be made. Children play in safety as they are well supervised at all times. The space indoors and outside is used effectively to meet children's needs. Resources are easily available and stored at children's level so that they can make their own choices. Books, toys and resources help children to begin to gain an understanding of the different ways people live and their differing abilities. However, the childminder does not currently provide regular opportunities for children to learn about

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the early years provision

differences and similarities, for example, by exploring different cultures, festival and events.

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the early years provision

The partnership with parents is good. Lots of cards and letters record how much they appreciate the service the childminder provides. They talk about the progress their children have made and the caring home from home environment where their child feels safe. Parents are well informed of their child's day and their progress through detailed daily diaries when children are young and informal chats and text messages as they get older. The childminder makes sure she is aware of each child's uniqueness and their changing care needs through strong settling in procedures, observations and daily chats. Children's changing health needs are known and acted upon. Parents are encouraged to play an active part in their child's learning and development by contributing observations of their child's learning at home. They regularly review their child's individual profiles and make comments to aid the childminder's assessment of children's progress so far. The

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the early years provision

childminder incorporates parental wishes into the child's day, for example, not using the garden for outside play while the weather is cold.

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the early years provision

The childminder's commitment to developing her practice and service is good. She has systems in place to help her reflect on her practice and identify any areas of improvement. She attends in-service training as regularly possible to help her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 move on. The childminder requests help from the local authority and implements any recommendations readily. The partnership with other providers is developing well and the childminder regularly shares information on children's learning while in her care and complements their activities at the nursery in her planning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is attentive and aware of children's individual needs. Children obviously enjoy their time with the childminder. They laugh and giggle together as they snuggle up reading books. The children mimic the sounds of animals, they listen attentively to the sounds that the animals in the books make before attempting to mimic the sounds which are new to them The childminder supports children's learning well, she asks open ended questions which encourage them to think. Together, they recall past events, such as when the child present rescued his cousin's hat in the park. Children count different sized cups and match the colours to colours in the environment. They build tall towers together and talk about how tall it is, saying 'taller then you'. Children are encouraged to learn through play. They choose their own resources and equipment and the childminder uses her understanding of child development and how children learn to progress

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and outcomes for children

their learning as they play. Trips to the local children's centre and childminder drop-in give the children the chance to experience different activities and meet new friends. There they pour and tip water from one container to another and share resources. Children can also ride on bicycles and scooters and sit together to eat their snacks and have a drink. The children learn ways to keep themselves safe through well-enforced rules when out and about, practical routines and activities such as road safety. They know they must hold the childminder's hand when not sitting in the buggy and must listen to what the childminder says at all times. The childminder talks about staying safe when out and not talking to people they do not know. Whenever possible, the childminder enables children to run and freely explore in safe environments.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder conducts regular observations of each child's learning, which she uses to contribute to their learning journey files. She uses these files of observations, examples of children's work and photographs to plan the children's next play experiences to support them on their learning journey. Snacks and meals are healthy; some parents chose to provide their child's meals, which are stored according to their wishes. The childminder also provides the food for children, which normally consists of the meals the family are eating. The childminder talks about healthy eating and encourages children to try new tastes and textures. Children are encouraged to rest after exercise and to take in lots of fluids to make up for what they lose when exercising. Behaviour is good the childminder works in partnership with parents to provide consistency. Children are occupied and their contributions valued they are eager to please and respond well to the childminder's

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and outcomes for children

praise and encouragement as they play. 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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