Childminder in Medway

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 EY356456 Inspection date 17/10/2008 Inspector Jane Wakelen

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2007 and lives with her partner and two children. Her partner currently works as the childminder's assistant. She lives in Gillingham, Kent. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children, or six children when working with an assistant. She is currently minding seven children, three of whom are in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the Compulsory and Voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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Description of the childminding

She is a member of the Medway Childminding network group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a secure environment in which children are settled and feel safe. Children enjoy playing with their peers, participating in a satisfactory range of activities, although sometimes these do not meet children's individual interests or provide a challenge to extend children's skills. The childminder has all the necessary documentation in place and ensures that parents are provided with information about the care she provides and information about their child's daily routine. She has a positive attitude to evaluating her practice to identify areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure children are given a good range of activities and resources to enable them to progress in their development  extend the assessment system to ensure observations of children's learning are recorded and used to plan children's next steps in their development and used in the planning of activities  provide children with access to resources and equipment that meets their interests, enables them to make choices and provides a challenge to support their development

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provision

The childminder organises her home to allow the younger children access to the downstairs only, whilst older children are able to use the second floor to access the computer or additional resources suitable for their age. Younger children access some toys from containers on the floor, but have limited opportunity to self-select This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 alternatives as these are stored upstairs or in the cupboard downstairs. Children are confident to ask for some alternative resources, but occasionally toys and activities do not extend or develop children's learning. There are detailed policies in place which are shared with the parents and a noticeboard in the entrance hall with additional information for parents.

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provision

The childminder is committed to making improvements to her practice and has addressed the actions given at the previous inspection. She is in the process of developing her Self Evaluation Form (SEF) to identify her strengths and areas to improve. She has carried out a risk assessment of her home and has put measures in place to protect children, such as stairgates, socket covers and a written fire drill.

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provision

All children are included in the daily routine and the childminder ensures she obtains all personal details from parents regarding their children before they start in her care. Older children are given the opportunity to complete the form themselves in addition to their parents, to help the childminder support their needs. However, starting points for children's development are not obtained from parents when children start in the childminder's care to establish children's next steps in their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children follow a flexible routine, to enable some children to attend pre-school in the afternoon. All children are welcomed into the setting and are encouraged to play together, sharing the toys and learning to take turns, with support from the childminder. Children access some toys from containers on the floor in the living room or can request alternatives from the cupboard, although this limits children's opportunities for choice and self-selection. The childminder and her assistant spend their time interacting enthusiastically with the children, but do not always provide opportunities to extend children's learning or provide activities to challenge the more able children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage, but is not fully confident in completing observations on children's development to inform planning for children's next steps in their learning. This results in some children not becoming fully engaged in activities offered to them, or fully extending their skills in all areas of their development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn good hygiene routines within the home, such as washing hands before eating and after using the toilet. They are able to independently access the toilet and use antibacterial soap and individual hand towels, preventing cross infection. The childminder follows good routines to protect children's health, such as ensuring food preparation areas are clean, tables are cleaned with antibacterial spray and individual beakers provided for children's drinks. Children develop a good understanding about healthy eating as they are offered a range of fresh fruit for snack time and encouraged to eat savoury items at lunch time, and yoghurts. Children are well protected within the childminder's care as she has a good understanding about safeguarding children. A written policy is in place and all This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures and relevant information are available should the childminder have any

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

concerns regarding children in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children are included within the childminder's home and she has a good understanding about their personal needs. Full information is obtained regarding their religion, culture and language spoken at home to ensure children's individual needs are met. The childminder has a good understanding about children's development and has experience of working with children with learning disabilities. 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

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound 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? Satisfactory The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Good How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Satisfactory How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Satisfactory

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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 made to Ofsted 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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