Lift Bexleyheath

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 137138 Inspection date 26/07/2012 Inspector Josephine Geoghegan

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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 1994. She lives in a three bedroom house in a residential area within the London Borough of Bromley. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a garden available for outside play. 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 four children under eight years, of these not more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children on roll, one of whom is in the early years age range.

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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

Overall, the needs of all children in the Early Years Foundation stage are met effectively, as the childminder supports children's learning well. The childminder provides a good balance of learning experiences that reflect the needs of children in various age groups. She keeps records of children's progress and is developing methods of linking these to the expectations of the early learning goals. The childminder shows high regard to promoting children's welfare and keeping them safe, although records of fire drills are not clearly recorded. The childminder has successfully made improvements to the quality of her service. She is developing methods of self-evaluation and highlights the strengths of her service and areas that she plans to improve; this shows a strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 strengthen the use of assessment to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress and regularly review this approach  keep a record of evacuation drills in a fire log book, including details of any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

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the early years provision

Good systems are in place to help safeguard children and protect them from harm. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of issues relating safeguarding and keeps relevant policies easily accessible; this enables her to take prompt action if she has any concerns regarding children's welfare. Children's welfare is further safeguarded because the childminder keeps appropriate records This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of children's details, their attendance and any accidents or medication administered. The childminder shows high regard to promoting children's safety. She conducts thorough risk assessments of the home and prior to outings. She uses a range of safety equipment, and children participate in emergency evacuation drills, although methods of recording these drills are not firmly established. The childminder has a broad range of policies in place that support the

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the early years provision

management of her service. Engagement with parents is strong. The childminder ensures all documents are shared with parents effectively. She keeps parents well- informed about their children's progress and all events of the day. Partnerships with other educational settings that children attend are firmly established and the childminder attends school events of older children, promoting consistency of care. Equality and diversity is promoted well, as the childminder shows a clear awareness of children's individual needs. She works closely with parents, establishing clear protocols to be followed regarding children's medical needs. Children use a range of toys and books that help develop their awareness of all people in the community. They participate in regular outings to children's groups and participate in activities that help them learn about cultures and beliefs.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes a professional approach and shows a strong commitment to driving improvement. She has successfully met all recommendations since the last inspection. She shows an awareness of evaluating the quality of her service and identifies her strengths and areas that she plans to improve. She evaluates children's learning needs and successfully plans activities that help them make progress. Deployment of resources is effective, as the childminder ensures good use is made of the time that children attend. She ensures that her home is well-organised so that children participate in free-flow indoor and outside play; as a result children are happy and purposefully engaged in play.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming learning environment. They show confidence as they move freely, making choices during play; this enables them to develop their independent learning skills. They have access to a range of good quality toys, books and equipment that are suitable for their age and abilities. Children are provided with a good balance of learning opportunities. For example, the childminder plans outings in the local community, including attending children's groups, the library, and childminder drop-in groups on a regular basis. This enables children to develop their social skills and learn about the environment in which they live. Children also participate in free-play and adult led activities in the home. The childminder keeps records of the activities and outings that children participate in. She is developing systems of recording assessments of their progress. She records observations and tracks their progress, showing some links

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and outcomes for children

to the expectations of the early learning goals. She then uses her assessments to aid future planning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder shows high regard to maintaining good hygiene practice at meal This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 time and in nappy changing routines. She helps children learn good routines, such as appropriate hand washing, which helps stop the spread of infection. Children benefit from a balanced diet of freshly cooked meals prepared by the childminder. They enjoy foods that reflect a variety of cultures and eat a range of fruit and vegetables; this helps them to adopt healthy eating habits. Children also adopt healthy lifestyles as they engage in frequent outdoor play and participate in outings that promote their physical skills and exercise. For example, they use a range of apparatus in the park and go to the soft play and ball pool centre.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well-behaved and are supported well in learning about expectations of their behaviour. Older children have been in the childminders care for many years and show a clear awareness of the daily routines, helping to tidy up, and making choices during play; this shows that they are making a positive contribution to their learning environment. Younger children have recently started in the childminders care and they have developed good relationships within a short space of time. They enjoy lots of hugs and cuddles, helping them to feel safe and secure. In addition, new minded children participate in a gradual settling-in procedure, enabling them to become familiar with the childminder and her home before their parents leave.

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and outcomes for children

Children are supported well during play. The childminder provides close supervision and encourages children to explore. Younger children enjoy lots of stories with the childminder. They develop their language skills as the childminder points out the pictures in the books and on puzzles, extending children's vocabulary. Children make good attempts to fit in puzzle pieces with gentle encouragement from the childminder; this enables them to persevere and learn problem solving. Children show an interest in role play equipment, which enables them to develop their imaginative skills. They enjoy transferring objects, such as putting bricks into the truck and pushing it along. They show increasing confidence as they climb on and off of wheeled toys and make them move independently. Children benefit from high levels of praise and encouragement from the childminder for their efforts and achievements. They develop their awareness of technology as they use toys that

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and outcomes for children

make sounds. The childminder successfully engages children of various ages in activities that meet their individual learning needs. As a result children have good opportunities to enjoy and achieve and develop their skills for the future. 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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