Keverne, Maxine

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 EY372903 Inspection date 24/11/2008 Inspector Sue Taylor

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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 2008. She lives with her partner and one child aged five in the village of Horsmonden. The whole of the ground floor and two bedrooms upstairs are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children on the Early Years register and the compulsory Childcare register. She is also registered on the voluntary Childcare register. She is currently minding four children in the early years age range and two children on the compulsory Childcare and one on the voluntary Childcare register. The family do not have any pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has the Nursery Nursing Examination Board (NNEB) Certificate in Nursery Nursing obtained in June 1989.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

As a result of some weaknesses in the childminder’s practice, some specific legal requirements are not met that impact on children’s care. In addition, the childminder has not devised systems to show how children’s progress is effectively supported and developed across the six areas of learning. However, children do benefit from the caring relationships they develop with the childminder and each other. Overall, their individual care needs are met.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 ensure a risk assessment record is in place and includes outings (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 05/12/2008  obtain information about who has legal contact with the child; and who has parental responsibility for the child (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 05/12/2008  develop systems to observe children, use these to assess their progress towards the early learning goals across all six areas of learning, and plan for their next steps, ensuring this information is shared with parents (Assessment arrangements) 12/12/2008 To improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  ensure low level glass does not pose a risk to children  improve fire safety precautions with a smoke detector on the ground floor  share children's progress towards the early learning goals with parents and

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further?

other settings where children may attend, encouraging their involvement in supporting children's progress and in making contributions to the assessment process  develop a method of continuous self-evaluation

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provision

The childminder has some awareness of her strengths and weaknesses, identifying that she lacks systems to ensure that children’s continued learning and development is effectively supported through observations and assessment. However, she is not regularly evaluating her overall practice to identify and implement improvement.

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provision

There is limited sharing with parents and others about children’s learning nor are they encouraged to be involved, for example with activities at home. As a result, they are not contributing to an assessment of children’s progress. Parents are, however, encouraged to share what they know about their child’s individual care needs and this helps supports children’s overall welfare.

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provision

There is no risk assessment record in place that shows how the childminder protects and keeps children safe, inside the home and when on outings. She maintains most of the required records and documentation to help ensure the care needs of all children are met. Although, as she does not have written agreements with all parents, some necessary detail is not obtained. There is a well organised file of written policies and procedures that help inform parents about her childminding practices. These support her awareness of child protection and other procedures such as dealing with complaints.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder supports individual children’s welfare needs. Whilst she has some awareness of the areas of learning and in how she can assist children’s progress towards the early learning goals, there are no systems in place to effectively support their ongoing learning and development. She provides varied activities for children and children have access to a broad range of play materials, including a good number of resources that help children gain a positive awareness of others. Books are read together and children have some access to pens and paper for mark making, alongside the arts and craft activities. However, there is limited purposeful play planned for or observed that identifies and takes account of children’s next steps, in their progress towards the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The premises are very clean and the childminder follows hygienic routines that help keep children healthy. For example, individual towels for hand drying help prevent cross contamination. Children are provided with healthy snacks and home This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 cooked meals, with reasonable access to drinks throughout the day enabling them to control their own thirst needs. Effective storage of food bought from home, helps prevent any perishables from spoiling. The childminder has an awareness of the need to take appropriate action when children are ill, injured or require medication. The house and garden are secure and children can explore their play space with most risks minimised, for example through the use of socket covers and cupboard catches in the kitchen. However, fire detection is less effective with no smoke alarm on the ground floor and there is no evidence that the low level glass

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Positive and caring relationships exist between children and the childminder. As a result, children are settled and relaxed. Children’s behaviour is supported by the childminder who is able to respond to their individual needs. The childminder keeps parents informed of their child’s day, mostly with verbal feedback, concentrating more on care and welfare needs, than their learning and development. 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? 3 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? 3

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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? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 05/12/2008

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 05/12/2008 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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