Childminder in Kent

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 EY231733 Inspection date 23/06/2009 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 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 2003. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years. She is currently caring for two children in the early years stage on a full-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There are local shops, parks, schools and pre- schools within walking distance. The family do not have any pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends and runs a local carer and toddler group for minded children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder is happy to take and collect children from local schools and nurseries.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The developmental and welfare needs of children are effectively met by the childminder. She demonstrates an excellent understanding of child development and plans a wide range of child- initiated and adult-led learning experiences for children. The childminder has built very close relationships with children in her care and is responsive to each child's individual care and learning needs. The childminder values and respects children as individuals and ensures that her practice is fully inclusive. Very positive relationships have been established with parent/carers and daily feedback both verbally and through a written contact book is exchanged. Self-evaluation is used extremely effectively to monitor the childminder's practice and to plan for future development.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 further develop the outdoor area to enhance children's learning opportunities

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provision

The childminder encourages parents to be actively involved in their children's learning and development. For example, all children have a contact book where the childminder records daily activities and care routines. Parents also receive excellent information about their child's progress and development through the six weekly reviews of children's individual learning journeys. At the settling-in meetings with parents, the childminder has systems in place for finding out about children's starting points and uses these to plan initially. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 All required records and documentation are in place and readily available for inspection. There is a comprehensive record system with details of the childminder's suitability, training completed and policies and procedures. This clearly outlines how the childminder caters for children's individual care, welfare

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provision

and learning needs in her safe, welcoming setting.

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provision

The childminder's capacity to improve is excellent. Since her previous inspection she has completed the recommendation set by continuing to maintain her records and documents well. She has also revised her extensive range of written policies and procedures as they were previously based on the National Standards and are now in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder has organised her policy document folder into different outcomes, with an index for each outcome regarding the policies contained within this. The policy folder clearly highlights the childminder's awareness of the EYFS and of the welfare and statutory requirements.

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provision

The childminder has extensive risk assessments in place to ensure that her home, garden area and equipment are regularly checked and assessed for their ongoing suitability. She ensures that toys and resources are age and stage appropriate to each individual child and rotates these regularly to ensure children are sufficiently challenged and stimulated.

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provision

The childminder has used self-evaluation effectively to monitor and improve her practice. She has identified areas that she would like to improve further through additional training, such as further developing her garden area to extend and enhance learning opportunities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make very good progress in all areas of their learning and development, supported extremely well by the childminder. She provides a wide and varied range of age appropriate activities and resources to enhance children's learning and ensures that these offer sufficient challenge and interest. The childminder plans her day effectively to ensure that individual routines and requirements are met. Educational posters are displayed to both create a bright, welcoming setting and provide further learning opportunities. Resources are stored in toy boxes and on low shelving enabling children to easily access these independently.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

An effective observation and assessment system is in operation and identifies children's individual stage of development, progress and informs future planning and targets. The childminder completes regular observations on children and these reflect the six areas of learning. The childminder plans activities that will enable children to progress onto the next stages of their development and outlines these comprehensively in her review assessment plans. Each child has their own ‘Learning Journey’ book where their progress is regularly recorded under the different areas of learning. Effective systems are in place for sharing information with parents regarding progress and development. Parents are extremely happy with the service provided as reflected in their feedback comments on their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Learning Journey review forms.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder organises settling-in sessions with new children to enable a child to become familiar with her and other children she cares for. This also gives her the opportunity to gather information on children's individual needs as well as their starting points and capabilities so that she can plan appropriate activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder effectively promotes children's health within her setting. Children have daily opportunities for outdoor play and for fresh air and exercise on the school runs. Children are introduced to healthy eating options at snack time being given different choices, such as raw vegetables and fresh fruit. The childminder has a valid paediatric first aid qualification ensuring that appropriate first aid is given in the event of an accident or emergency. Any accidents, however minor are recorded thoroughly in an accident book and parents are asked to sign any entries relating to their child as confirmation that they have been informed. All medication administered to minded children is accurately recorded and authorised by parents. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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

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