O'Brien, Tracy Ann

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 EY378007 Inspection date 22/10/2008 Inspector Lara Hickson

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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 husband and two young children aged three and six years in Greenhithe, Kent. All rooms will be used for childminding purposes although generally the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Local transport facilities are close by. The family have one guinea pig. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time She is registered on the Early Years Register, compulsory and voluntary parts of Childcare Register. There are currently two children in the early years age range on roll. The childminder attends local drop-in-groups, takes children to the local library, park and places of interest. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is effectively meeting the welfare and developmental needs of children in her care in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Positive relationships have been established with parents and regular feedback is exchanged which ensures parents are actively involved in their child's care, learning and development. The childminder provides children with a varied range of resources and activities to promote their development in all areas of learning. Activities outside the home setting enhance children's enjoyment and offer additional challenges such as trips to local parks and toddler groups. An observation system is in place although requires extension to identify the next steps regarding children's progress to inform future planning and development.

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further?

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

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further?

 identify the next steps regarding children's progress and use this to inform planning and future development  record all existing injuries that children arrive with  increase the range of resources and activities available to offer children a greater understanding of diversity and the wider world  develop a system to reflect on and evaluate current childminding practice

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provision

The childminder has completed an Introduction to childminding course (ICP) and a paediatric first aid course. All required records are in place within the setting and are kept confidentially. A record of attendance is recorded promptly and is fully reflective of the actual times of arrival and departure. There are a few written policies and procedures in place outlining some aspects of the childminder's setting This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and she is in the process of extending this area further.

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provision

The childminder checks her resources and equipment regularly regarding safety and cleanliness and ensures children are sufficiently challenged. She demonstrates a good understanding of the need to provide children with resources and activities that are age and stage appropriate.

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provision

Through discussion the childminder outlines areas where she can improve her childminding practice, although she has not completed a self-evaluation form. She plans to further improve her childminding service for children through attending additional training courses and through liaison with more experienced childminders at drop in groups.

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provision

The childminder discusses children's starting points with parents and uses these discussions to formulate her initial planning systems. She observes children's progress and development and has effective systems in place with parents for exchanging this information. Partnerships with other settings are established well and the childminder provides parents with a beneficial link between home and school.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are safe and secure within the childminder's homely setting and most aspects of safeguarding are promoted well. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of her responsibilities regarding child protection and has current local safeguarding children board procedures. However, currently although the childminder discusses any existing injuries a child arrives, these are currently not recorded. Children's safety is enhanced through the use of safety equipment and regular risk assessments. This minimises hazards within the home setting and garden areas. For example, safety gates are used to prevent access to certain areas of the home such as the stairs and the kitchen. Children's safety is promoted on outings as the childminder discusses road safety and stranger danger with children according to their level of understanding. Fire procedures and an emergency plan are in place and older children are aware of the procedure to follow. Fire drills are

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

practised regularly with the children and details of these are recorded.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has an up-to-date paediatric first aid certificate, ensuring appropriate first aid is provided in the event of an accident or emergency. A first aid kit is available and is easily accessible and a travel first aid kit is taken out on all outings. Although there have been no accidents to minded children the childminder explains that all details would be recorded appropriately and parents would be asked to sign the entry to confirm that they have been informed of the accident.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health is promoted well. The childminder introduces children to different meals from around the world and ensures that meals and snacks are healthy and nutritious. During the inspection children enjoy ham sandwiches with cubes of cheese and apple. Child record forms include detailed information regarding individual dietary requirements including any allergies, food intolerances and religious or cultural requirements. The childminder ensures that her home setting is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 clean and well presented and has regular housework routines in place to maintain high standards of hygiene. The childminder has steps in place to prevent the spread of infection in her home, for example, she encourages children's hygiene skills and has a step available for younger children to encourage their independence. Children wash their hands before eating, after using the toilet and after playing in the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are able to enjoy a wide range of different activities and resources within the setting and these cover all areas of learning and development. Additional outings to parks, local places of interest, the library and toddler groups enhance children's enjoyment and development further. The childminder plans her days carefully to ensure that individual needs and routines are met. Although she has an observation system in operation this requires extension to identify the next steps regarding children's progress to inform planning and future development. Although the childminder has a few resources depicting diversity, currently the range available does not offer children an appropriate understanding of diversity and the wider world. 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? Good

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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? Good How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

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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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