Childminder in Bexley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY333757 Inspection date 17/05/2011 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 registered in 2006. She lives with her husband, who also childminds with her, one adult daughter and two school age children. The family lives in a house in Erith in the London Borough of Bexley. The conservatory/playroom and living room are the main areas used for childminding. They also have access to the dining room for meals, homework and table top activities. There is a ground floor toilet. Minded children may sleep in the bedrooms upstairs and use the family bathroom. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

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 six children under eight, three of whom may be in the early years age range. When working with her co-minder they may care for a maximum of nine children under eight years. The childminder holds a National Vocational Qualification to Level 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children thrive in the childminder's safe and secure care and her inclusive approach helps every child to flourish and reach their full potential. The childminder welcomes children into an environment with stimulating play resources which overall, are well organised. Excellent working partnerships with parents and others provide a two-way flow of information, so each child's unique needs are well known and consistently supported. The childminder uses skilful interaction and has excellent knowledge of how children learn. This helps children to make excellent progress in their learning and development. The childminder is highly reflective and committed to continually developing and improving her exceptionally high-quality provision for children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 enhancing ways for children to independently select play resources, for example, by considering the use of picture and word labels on toy storage systems. 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 her role and responsibilities to protect children in her care. She has a rigorous approach to maintaining children's safety at all times. Through training the childminder has gained an excellent awareness of safeguarding issues. Her policies and procedures show how she would prioritise any concerns, record and deal with them appropriately. The childminder maintains all of the required records for the safe and efficient management of her service. She maintains confidentiality stores records securely. To further protect children, she accurately records the times of arrival and departure of children and any visitors to the home. The childminder conducts extremely effective risk assessments which help ensure children are safe indoors and outside. All appropriate fire precautions are in place and the childminder makes sure all children practise the evacuation procedures. Children show an

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the early years provision

excellent awareness of safety issues, including a strong understanding of how to keep themselves safe. This is because the childminder talks to them about stranger danger and teaches them how to cross the road safely.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the bright, stimulating play environment with direct access to an outdoor area; enabling children to confidently choose where to play. Children can access many of the resources independently and the childminder comprehensively incorporates all areas of learning, rotating toys regularly to sustain children's interest. The childminder makes excellent use of resources to support children's learning. She uses sustainable methods to enhance and extend her provision of resources, for example, they use the book library and visit local toddler groups. The childminder has an exceptional knowledge of each child's background and unique needs. She introduces aspects of her own culture, using words, song and numbers in French alongside the languages spoken by the children. This helps promote equality and diversity extremely well. All children are included and the childminder takes effective steps to close any identified

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes excellent channels of communication with parents and highly effective working relationships with schools and other childcare settings that the children attend. She provides parents with very good quality information about her service. The childminder keeps them extremely well informed about their child's achievements, well-being and development. She also gives parents guidance on precise ways in which they can help their child at home. This helps to successfully promote continuity in children's learning, development and welfare.

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the early years provision

The childminder actively seeks the views of all those using her service and written comments from parents convey how highly they regard her. Parents clearly value her 'commitment to excellence in childcare' and children describe her as 'awesome' The childminder's clear passion and enthusiasm for her role is evident in the wonderful interactions with children. She has high aspirations for quality and the ongoing development of her exceptionally high standards. Since the last inspection she has acquired a qualification in early years and childcare and attended many training courses through the local authority. She has also successfully addressed This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the recommendation of continuing to build upon her range of toys and equipment. As a result, the childminder provides an exceptional service that is continually evolving to improve the outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are eager to attend and settle well. High quality interaction and organisation of individual routines help children gain a very strong sense of security. Children develop extremely positive relationships with the childminder and their friends. The childminder is highly skilled in her management of children and they demonstrate exceptionally positive behaviour. Praise and encouragement is continually given and the childminder listens and respects what children have to say. All families are welcome and children exceptionally valued as individuals. The childminder organises a wide range of experiences which consistently help children learn to about the wider world and to value diversity. For example, children have tremendous fun dressing up in traditional African clothing, learning to balance a food bowl on their head and tasting different fruits. The childminder actively encourages children's bilingualism and immerses them in community events such

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and outcomes for children

as Black History Month at the local children's centre.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an expert knowledge of how young children learn and develop. Assessment of children's progress is rigorous and used to inform a program of activities and experiences which meet the needs of all children exceedingly well. The childminder is passionate about providing high quality care and learning opportunities are based on children's individual needs and interests. Children are extremely confident. They are inquisitive and play an active role in their learning. They willingly help to tidy away toys, before choosing what to play with next. The childminder positively reminds them to place recyclable items into the collection bin to help look after their environment.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder skilfully promotes children's understanding of numbers, colours and size during child-initiated activities such as playing with toy cars. She fosters a love of books, with children choosing which book the childminder reads. They listen avidly as the childminder recites poetry and engage in stories well. Children thoroughly enjoy singing familiar rhymes and songs, moving to music and even learning to dance the Flamenco. Children explore their creativity through the medium of art, cutting and sticking, painting and building models. Younger children explore light and sound technology toys while older children love to use the electronic till and play interactive games on the children's laptops. Children explore the properties of sand and water in the garden, digging, pouring and measuring. Older children say they particularly enjoy the time they spend cooking and sewing with the childminder. As a result of these experiences, children make

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and outcomes for children

significant progress in their learning and are well equipped with the fundamental skills required for the successful transition to school and their future learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder takes extremely effective steps to promote children's good health and well-being, including those to thoroughly prevent the spread of infection. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children show an excellent understanding of making healthy choices. They enjoy planting and harvesting strawberries and chillies grown in the pots, which they painted and decorated. Menus reflect a wide selection of highly nutritious meals from around the world and the childminder stringently follows any special dietary requirements. Children gain a very secure understanding of the importance of physical activity in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 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 1 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 1 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: 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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