Hobbs, Julie Anne

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY331149 Inspection date 08/12/2008 Inspector Linda Patricia Coccia

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Type of setting Childminder 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 report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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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. 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged five years and one year in Halling, Kent. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access to the premises is by way of steps leading to the front door. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years at any one time and on specified days she can look after a maximum of three children under five years at any one time. She is currently looking after six children, aged between seven months and five years who fall within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks or drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group. The childminder is a member of the National

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of how young children learn and develop and is effective in meeting their individual needs. She knows their likes and dislikes and always aims to include a parent's individual child care requirements into her day-to-day procedures. Her methods for ensuring that children learn about each others' differences are simple but effective and include lots of discussion. She continually aims to improve her service by staying up-to- date with current childcare practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure policies and procedures reflect the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage  ensure all fire safety equipment is available and that children have the opportunity to keep themselves safe in an emergency

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provision

The childminder is very organised. Children's records are well maintained, current and stored confidentially. She has reviewed the NCMA standard policies and has amended them to reflect her own minding methods. However, the policies do not refer to the current EYFS system. The childminder is proficient at safeguarding children. She has procedures to ensure suitable people collect them, ensures that children are never left alone with un-vetted adults and has a good understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children's Board procedures. She is also committed to attending further training to increase her knowledge of childcare. This ensures that children always benefit from updated childcare methods. The childminder's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 partnership with parents is excellent. Written references clearly show that they are consulted about all areas of their children's care. They are involved in reviews of

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provision

the childminder's paperwork that concerns their children and receive detailed daily reports on their children's enjoyment and well-being. This ensures that parents are involved in their children's learning and children are well supported by all adults who provide their care. The childminder has begun to evaluate her service. She has some good ideas about increasing equipment and activities to ensure that children can enjoy a greater range of learning opportunities and have their individual likes and dislikes catered for.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder carries out initial assessments on children which are detailed and informative. These enable her to plan for each child's development. Further observations are carried out effectively to identify children's next steps which are then included in the childminder's activity plans. A full range of EYFS learning opportunities are available to children. For example, they enjoy playing with construction toys or making craft items to take home for their parents. Toddlers enjoy finger and push button toys and enjoy planned music sessions with the childminder. Older children enjoy role play and dressing up. Children happily talk about what they can do. Children are happy and relaxed with the childminder. They achieve well because the childminder gives lots of one-to-one support to children and is committed to helping them progress. They receive plenty of praise and encouragement which helps them to have confidence in their abilities. The

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

childminder also helps children to be tolerant with each other and to acknowledge each others' differences. The childminder ensures that children learn about safety, which encourages them to move freely around the premises. One parent commented that their child has learnt to come down the stairs backwards since being with the childminder. The children have not yet had the opportunity to practise the childminder's emergency evacuation procedures and although the childminder has a range of fire safety equipment available she does not have a fire blanket. Children's medical and health records are well maintained and up-to-date. They eat healthy, nutritious food and are included in choosing the menu. A range of good hygiene procedures help children stay free from cross contamination and infection. 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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints since registration.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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