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 EY368154 Inspection date 11/03/2009 Inspector Susan Jennifer Scott

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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 children in Barming, Kent. All of the ground and first floor of the property is used for childminding and there is a garden for outside play. The childminder has a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She does not care for children overnight. The childminder is currently minding one child in the early years age group. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from a local nursery.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the childminder's willingness to support and encourage their learning through enjoyable play experiences. Children's activities, individual interests and skills are noted in daily contact books and shared with parents to promote consistency. The childminder observes and assesses children’s development to support their progress and plans activities appropriate to their stage of development and is keen to extend her knowledge of the early years practice guidance. The childminder provides encouragement to participate in the activities by involving herself in their play. Her self evaluation has been used to review her service and she is keen to build upon the quality experienced by the children in her care. The childminder shares her policies and procedures with parents although the documentation does not reflect all the requirements of the early years framework.

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further?

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

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further?

 make ongoing observational assessments of each child’s achievements and interests and use them to ensure that children’s next steps are being clearly identified and used in leading future planning  ensure that the safeguarding policy includes a procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made  maintain an accurate record of the medication administered to children To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 seek written authorisation for future emergency medical advice or treatment when children first attend (Safeguarding) 31/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is keen to support children's welfare, learning and development successfully. Parents are kept well informed about the experiences of their children through the use of individual contact books which also note the observations and assessments made. The childminder is building upon her understanding of the new Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), in order to provide children and parents with positive experiences. The childminder obtains helpful information from parents to establish children's starting points which she uses to support their needs and cater for their preferences. There is consistent practice between children's care at home and their care at the childminder's. Children benefit from routines which ensure that they are offered plenty of appropriate and interesting choices to support their progress.

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provision

Children are safeguarded by policies and procedures such as confidentiality and child protection, although some of the required written documentation is not in place. Parents can access information, such as, how to contact the regulator. The childminder evaluates her service and identifies areas for improvement; for example, the childminder intends to access training for the EYFS to support her understanding of children's learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy their play and develop their communication skills through the childminder's conversations with them. They are encouraged to sing songs, such as, the rainbow song, which assists them in identifying colours, as the childminder has enabled them to use different coloured paper to make small palm trees. Children enjoy using varied craft materials and the childminder provides good opportunities to build upon their skills in this area of learning. For example, children are prompted skilfully to name different colours when doing a craft activity.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's skilful participation in their play and her acknowledgment of their skills. They enjoy cooking, and are encouraged to learn about weighing and mixing through this activity. Children's understanding is further supported by the childminder's good observation of their interests, and her encouragement of these through the activities she organises. For example, children enjoy imaginative play, using the play cooker and foods which the childminder names, supporting children's developing vocabulary. They enjoy a variety of physical activities, stretching and jumping along with the children's television programmes, laying in local the garden and observing the birds feeding there. This enables them to develop their understanding of wildlife and nature.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder observes children's development and assesses this. She plans flexibly, in order to support progress in their learning. Children's learning is extended as the childminder provides stimulating experiences and takes account of individual interests. There is not a clear system for regularly assessing each area of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning yet, so that the next steps for each child's development can be identified. Children do make good progress and are effectively supported by the developmentally appropriate activities and sensitive support they receive.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children show independence and choose their activities from the popular toys and puzzles within easy reach. The childminder has noted which toys and activities that are favoured by children and ensures she provides these, making children feel secure and settled. She uses praise and acknowledges children's achievements which promotes their self-esteem and ensures they feel good about what they do. Children learn right from wrong from the good role model and positive reinforcement offered by the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a safe home environment where she supervises children's play; she has risk assessment procedures that identify hazards inside the home and when they go out. Children are kept safe as the childminder ensures they are protected in the event of an emergency; she has made appropriate plans to evacuate if necessary and how to keep them safe. There are smoke alarms in place and hazards, including dangerous substances are inaccessible to children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to develop healthy eating habits and the childminder ensures that food and drinks suit the children's requirements; she takes note of their preferences and serves popular but nutritious food such as pasta and fruit. Parents give information about their children’s individual needs and routines and the childminder organises activities they enjoy inside and out.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's close working relationship with parents; she shares her written procedures and policies with parents so that they are informed about her arrangements. However, there is no record of written consent to obtain emergency advice or treatment for the children in her care. This is a breach of requirements. A record of accidents to children is maintained although one of these has not been signed by parents of the child and a page of the record of administration of medicine is missing. Children benefit from the shared information about the care offered and written consents from parents for a variety of activities such as travel in a vehicle. The safeguarding policy is available for parents and users of the service but it is not clear what procedures are followed if an allegation is made. 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? 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? 3 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: 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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