Childminder in Bexley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY434420 Inspection date 14/03/2012 Inspector Marcia Robinson

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and two children, one of whom is in the early years age group. The family lives in a block of flats with lift access in the area of Woolwich in the London borough of Greenwich. The premises are close to local shops, parks and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's flat is used for childminding purposes. There is no garden for outdoor play, so the childminder takes children on daily trips in the local community. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time; of these, one may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding two children in this age group.

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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 an accessible and inclusive, home environment for all children and has established good relationships with children in a short space of time. She ensures she supports children to make, generally, good progress in their learning and development. This is due to the, overall, good systems in place to ensure the needs of all children are met effectively. Overall, there are many effective safety measures in place to help keep children safe, including secure, child protection procedures. The childminder establishes positive partnerships with parents, although they do not contribute fully to their children's learning. She shows a strong capacity to maintaining continuous improvement through her connections with the local authority and by consistently improving her skills through regular training.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing and trip and review it before embarking on each specific outing. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 20/04/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 provide more natural resources to increase opportunities for children to respond to what they see, hear, smell, touch and feel  develop opportunities for parents to be fully involved in children's learning and development This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  extend the monitoring of children's progress through making sure next steps are used in leading future planning.

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the early years provision

The childminder's provision is organised well overall. She has good systems in place to help safeguard children and protect them from harm. The childminder has attended safeguarding training so she knows what steps to take if she has concerns about a child. She has developed a good range of policies and procedures, which support the effective practice and delivery of welfare requirements and outcomes for children. She is enthusiastic towards her role as a childminder and shows a strong commitment to driving improvement. For example, the childminder has completed all required and further training, including first aid and epi-pen. She improves her practice, for example, extending the range of resources to promote children's learning and development. The childminder has a vision for the future development of her service, which includes achieving an early years qualification. She is aware of her strengths and weaknesses. She is

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the early years provision

developing plans to include feedback from parents and children to continue to use self-evaluation as a tool to drive further improvement. All documentation that promotes children's health, safety and well-being is in place, including accurate records regarding children's attendance, accidents or medication administered. The childminder shows high regard to promoting children's safety and, consequently, provides a safe and secure home environment for children. She conducts risk assessment of her home to monitor and remove potential hazards to children. She has not implemented prior, risk assessment for all outings and trips she enjoys with children. This breaches a specific legal requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage. In daily practice, however, good practice with reference to keeping children safe is constantly promoted.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality and diversity well. The deployment of resources is effective. Children enjoy self-selecting resources that are available to them and they access a good number of toys and books that reflect diversity. Children are starting to carry out activities to learn about different world festivals at an age- appropriate level. The childminder uses gradual, setting in procedures to find out about individual needs and talks with children about their personal experiences. For example, she uses words in children's home language, developing their personal identity. Parents are informed about the provision and their children's care and learning through regular discussions and access to written policies and procedures. The childminder shares all events of the day with parents, including information about activities, meals and sleep routines. However, she does not regularly share information about children's learning and development, so parents

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the early years provision

can continue that learning at home. There are no children currently attending other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, the childminder is aware of the need to establish partnerships, whenever this becomes appropriate. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has good relationships with children and they enjoy a wide variety of activities and experiences across all six areas of learning. She knows children well and makes regular observations of their play and learning. She uses this information to identify children's next steps for learning, although these are not fully linked to planning to further enhance monitoring of progress. A flexible, daily routine, including story and music time, provides a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated learning. All children show good relationships with the childminder and her family. They enjoy being together and play well alongside each other. The childminder praises children frequently to encourage positive behaviour and supports young children with sharing and taking turns. As a result, children are happy and settled. They show good attachments as they confidently explore their surroundings with curiosity and interest. Babies investigate the textures of items in

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and outcomes for children

a 'treasure' basket and smile at the feel of a 'smooth' and 'shiny' spoon. They cruise around and access a good range of furniture and equipment, such as a travel cot, highchair and a baby gym. However, there are fewer, natural resources to stimulate children's exploration further.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well supported during their play as the childminder provides high levels of purposeful interaction. For example, she sits on the floor with children and responds well to their needs; she encourages them to explore and extend their learning. She tunes into children's methods of communication and responds skilfully. Babies develop good communication skills; they babble happily as the childminder talks to them at eye level. They show they trust and feel secure with the childminder as they manage suitable risks, such as climbing into the ball pool, feeling and throwing soft balls. The childminder routinely talks to children about what they are doing. She encourages babies to make sounds and gestures through music and songs. Books are well used and accessible, along with phonic music tapes and simple, picture, card games. This helps link sounds to words and objects. Children effectively develop a growing understanding of the wider world

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and outcomes for children

through a variety of well planned activities and experiences. These include walks along the Thames to see boats and feed birds, as well as trips to the local library, shops and parks. Children have fun as they use a range of electronic toys and resources, which develops their interest in technology. Taken together, these experiences provide good opportunities for children to enjoy, achieve and develop their skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children are content and settled and the childminder well promotes their welfare through her calm and clear explanations. Children practise road safety and emergency, evacuation routines. The childminder supports young children well with lots of cuddles and responds very quickly to children when they tire or need their nappies changing. She effectively develops their independence and self-care skills at meal times. Children are supported in learning about good hygiene routines and their awareness of adopting healthy lifestyles, For example, even babies are encouraged to wash their hands with soap and running water after nappy changes and they make choices about when they have had enough to eat. This helps children understand their own personal needs. In addition, children take This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 part in physical activities every day as part of a healthy lifestyle, having fun in the

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and outcomes for children

indoor ball pool or running around in the park. 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 3 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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