Kent College International Study Centre

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 134582 Inspection date 14/01/2009 Inspector Jan Leo

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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 registered in 1998. She lives with her husband and two children, aged 11 and 15 years, in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The property is situated on a level plot, in a quiet residential close, with parking outside. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding with toilet facilities provided upstairs. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She can care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time and currently looks after six children on a full or part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder completes school and pre-school runs to drop off and collect children. The family has a dog.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder forms very secure bonds with the children in order to meet their individual needs and help them make good progress in learning and development. She plans a very appropriate programme and helps children to join in at their own level, praising their achievements to build their confidence and help them feel special. The childminder successfully links with others to share good practice and help raise standards, and she has a secure understanding of where her strengths lie and what she can improve. All documentation is clear and well organised to support an effective service, but some lacks detail, reducing its value slightly.

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further?

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

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further?

 devise a system to ensure all areas of learning are covered equally and challenges are differentiated for individual children  include contact details in policies to provide easy access to advice and professional help when necessary.

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provision

The childminder is a very organised person. Children benefit from a well planned day with clear aims, and a child-friendly environment where they play contentedly and learn. The childminder provides parents with easy access to information about their children in order to help them feel involved and keep up-to-date with progress, sharing daily diaries, photographs and record books to show what children do. The childminder encourages communication with adults to share ideas, linking with other childminders and carers to stay up-to-date and help decide on areas for improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder successfully evaluates her service and adapts practice when she feels it necessary. She completes risk assessments and daily safety checks to keep children safe as they grow and develop, and she has a firm understanding of child protection issues. Children receive a high level of supervision while they play and

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provision

the childminder teaches children to play safely and avoid accidents. For example, she reminds children of the risk when twirling around and around, and she ensures climbing equipment sits on sponge play mats to soften any falls.

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provision

There are effective systems in place to promote a healthy lifestyle and clear documentation helps provide an open and efficient service. Some minor omissions from paperwork result in a lack of information to help monitor the balance and effectiveness of the learning programme and contact numbers for outside agencies not being freely available in some policies.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children play happily within a well organised area of the home, having easy access to a range of resources to stimulate ideas and keep them well occupied. The childminder plans some activities, such as hand painting, to give the children an opportunity to experience messy play while developing their creative skills. The childminder successfully introduces new words, such as tabard and palm, to extend children's vocabulary within a relevant context to aid their understanding. However, at times, she focuses too heavily on her expected learning outcomes and curtails children's interest when they want to move on from making snowflakes to creating snowmen.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children follow themes with their learning and the childminder has clear ideas of specific activities and how to help each child progress. She outlines planning clearly and has a fair idea of how to introduce each area of learning, but currently there is no system to monitor the balance of the activity programme or show clearly the different levels of challenge for each child when taking part in the pre- planned programme.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children talk freely to the childminder, sharing thoughts and ideas confidently. Those with English as a second language adapt well, working closely with the childminder to help them learn from each other and develop a respect for diversity. Some are beginning to show interest in younger children by, for example, chasing after them with a doll's bottle and saying 'baby, baby'. The younger child protests by running to the childminder for support, feeling much too grown up for a bottle. He makes his feelings clear, despite having few words, and the childminder explains that he is a 'big boy now' showing respect for his feelings and helping other children understand the needs of others. The day progresses in a relaxed way, with constant interaction to help children understand what they see and learn more about the wider world. They use interactive toys and learn of social expectations to develop skills for the future, and all enjoy their day.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 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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