Childminder in Medway

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 EY218170 Inspection date 15/04/2009 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 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 2002. She lives with her partner and two children, aged eight and nine years, in Penenden Heath, Maidstone, Kent. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house and an upstairs toilet is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There is suitable access to the premises.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years at any one time. She is able to care for up to three children who fall within the early years age range. She is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder also looks after children at the home of another registered childminder who uses an assistant. When working with the other childminder, jointly, they may look after up to 10 children under eight years, of whom five may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently minding seven children between the ages of four and ten years. The childminder is able to provide care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has an aquarium. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is also a Network childminder.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder is very effective in meeting the needs of the children she looks after because she treats them all as individuals and knows them all very well. She ensures that they are all happily engaged in activities which interest them. She maintains the continuous improvement of her service through rigorous and regular evaluation.

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further?

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

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further?

 use current EYFS terminology in policies and procedures. For example, the use of phrases such as safeguarding and inclusion

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provision

The childminder is organised. She has carried out a rigorous evaluation of her service to ensure she is providing appropriate care as per the wishes of her parents and to ensure she is meeting all the requirements. She canvasses parents' written views quarterly. The childminder uses her experience of children to ensure that her written policies all reflect children's individual needs. However, she has not used current Early Years Foundation Stage terminology in some of the updated policies. The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding children. She has researched it thoroughly through the internet and has had input from her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 network coordinator, as she has been unable to access a local authority update course. For example, as a result of her research she is developing information cards which hold children's details so that they are safeguarded when off the

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provision

Children benefit from their parents' good partnership with the childminder. Parents have provided a number of written references which highlight their appreciation of the childminder. For example, one talks about her ability to promote togetherness and her patience, understanding and perseverance. Another states that she is adaptable and recognises children's needs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has good relationships with the children in her care. They make good progress towards the early learning goals. They play games which help their thinking and reasoning skills, They use their imaginations when dressing up to become comic book characters and have plenty of physical play in the garden. They particularly love the large trampoline which has safety sides to it. Children have choices about what they play with. The childminder encourages all children to participate in activities which they are interested in and enjoy. Her written observations on the children are informative and concise and are supported with photographs of children enjoying the activities. She is able to identify children's next steps from the observations and includes them in the planning. Her activity plans include all children in activities but highlight the child she is aiming to support the most. Children's requests and views are taken into account. The

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

planning is displayed for children and parents to see.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are kept safe by the childminder's comprehensive risk assessments which she carries out daily. Any changes are duly noted in her record book. Her medication and accident records are kept up to date and entries are signed by parents. Children have discussions about their abilities and differences on a regular basis. Older children are reminded to be considerate to the younger children and to make allowances for their lack of skills. All children know what behaviour management strategies the childminder will use if they misbehave. Children have a good time with the childminder. Their well-being and welfare are efficiently promoted. 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

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