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 EY234723 Inspection date 20/03/2009 Inspector Linda Patricia Coccia

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and seven years in Larkfield, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There is suitable access to the premises. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years at any one time. She is able to care for up to three children who come within the Early Years Register. She is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is currently minding seven children between the ages of three and 10 years, of whom, two are within the early years age range. The childminder walks/drives to local schools and pre- schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group and local childminding groups. The family has a pet dog and some fish in an aquarium.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder meets all children's needs because she treats all children as individuals and listens to their requests. Children's input into the childminders service is exemplary. The childminder is able to continually improve her service through the use of reflective practice and the canvassing of parents opinions.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that parents have regular opportunities to add their comments to their children's observational records

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provision

The childminder has outstanding management skills. Her paperwork is exceptionally well organised and readily to hand. All aspects of paperwork are fully documented, from who enters the premises to the observation and assessment records. Her self-evaluation shows she has considered all areas of her practice and has amended procedures to accommodate the needs of the children. The childminder's partnership with parents is excellent. She provides parents with service questionnaires to complete every six months and she acts on their comments and suggestions. She has regular conversations with them about their child's progress as well as providing daily information about their child's activities during that day. She has developed her own child information cards which she carries with her at all times. These contain information about each child, parents emergency contact numbers and any medical or additional needs each child might

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provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 have. She has recently attend a local authority safeguarding children course to ensure she has up to date knowledge of child protection issues. A ll her policies have been amended to reflect her new found knowledge. Her written policies regarding safeguarding range from children's arrival and departure, and safety issues to suitable persons and child protection. All adults who reside on the premises hold enhanced Criminal Record Bureau checks. All written documents are regularly shared with parents. Children's well-being is promoted.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make excellent progress towards the early learning goals. They are growing into independent thinkers as they explore activities which they choose for themselves. They are confident and self assured. They happily talk about what they are doing and are inquisitive of strangers. The childminder provides an interesting and absorbing range of activities for children of all ages. They learn about each others differences through regular input by the childminder for learning sign language and have an excellent understanding of the world around them as they grow plants in the garden to encourage wildlife to thrive. Their numeracy and literacy skills are also very good as the childminder consistently challenges them about their thinking and reasoning. The childminder's written observational records on the children are excellent. They clearly show children's achievements both in written and photographic forms. The childminder uses reflective practice systems

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

to see how much children are involved in and enjoy activities. She clearly identifies each child's next steps and incorporates these into her activity planning for the next few months. She builds on children's strengths and children are made to feel valued. However, parents comments are not included in their children's records. Children's health is very well promoted. Children choose to eat food that is healthy and nutritious. They choose where to eat and when, and often help prepare food. The childminder provides excellent sample menus for parents which clearly show that each child's individual dietary needs can be met. The children are safe on the premises as the childminder's excellent risk assessments are regularly checked and the environment is very well maintained. 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 received 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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