Howick, Lisa

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 EY291648 Inspection date 14/01/2009 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 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 2004. She lives with her partner and two school aged children in Vigo Village near Gravesend. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There are local shops, parks, schools and pre-schools within walking distance. The family has a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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 six children under eight years. She is currently caring for six children on a part time basis, three of whom are in the early years age range.

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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

The developmental and welfare needs of children are effectively met by the childminder. Excellent relationships have been established with parent/carers and daily feedback both verbally and through a written contact book is exchanged. The childminder has regular discussions with parents regarding children's progress and development and has observations of children progressing in all areas of learning. This ensures that parents are actively involved in their child's care, learning and development. The childminder provides a vast range of toys and activities for children to investigate and these promote their development in all areas. Activities and outings in the local area and further afield enhance children's enjoyment and progress, such as visits to the library, parks and nature walks in the woods.

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further?

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

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further?

 continuing to extend systems for reviewing practice

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provision

All required records and documentation are in place and available. 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 and learning needs in her safe, welcoming setting.

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provision

The childminder has risk assessments in place to ensure that her home, garden This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 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 that toys that are suited to older children are kept out of reach of the younger children. The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of the need to provide children with resources that are age appropriate and offer suitable challenge and sustain interest.

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provision

The childminder evaluates her service periodically and uses parent questionnaires to identify areas where she can improve her setting. She has started to complete the self-evaluation form and is identifying key strengths as well as areas she would like to develop further. From discussions it is evident that the childminder has a clear understanding of how her setting will progress and continue to meet the individual needs of the children attending.

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provision

The childminder completes regular observations on children and each child has an individual file with observations and assessments in all 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 assessment plans. As a result of being interested and challenged through age appropriate and varied play activities behaviour is excellent within the setting. 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 the recent questionnaires completed. Partnership with other settings is well established and the childminder provides a valuable link between home, pre-school and/or school.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a wide and varied range of activities and resources and these cover all areas of learning and reflect individual stages of development. The childminder plans her day effectively to ensure that individual routines and requirements are met. Consultation with parents on a daily basis reflects any changes, such as if a child is unwell or has had an unsettled night. This ensures that children feel secure within the setting and are happy and settled.

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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 plans a wide range of activities in both indoor and outdoor environments and ensures that these appropriately challenge and extend each child's individual development and learning. The childminder liaises closely with parents informing them of any themes she is planning and discussing any areas that parents are working on at home that they would like her to compliment in the setting. She organises at least two settling-in sessions with new children to enable a child to become familiar with her, the other children attending and the home setting. 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 plans a wide range of activities that enhance both physical and social skills. For example, children enjoy swimming lessons, trampoline sessions, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 trips to the library and local parks and many nature walks in the local area. She encourages children to become independent, creative learners by providing a wide range of activities and resources that the children can choose from and she plans both adult-led and child-initiated activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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 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 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 the last inspection.

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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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