Childminder in MedwayOfsted inspection, 8 Dec 2009

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 103389 Inspection date 08/12/2009 Inspector Christine Lynne Hodge

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 has been registered since 1999.She lives in a house in Lordswood, Chatham, Kent. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, three of whom maybe in the early years age group. There are currently three children on roll. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder offers a warm, home from home environment in which children are settled and happy. Although the childminder is not fully familiar with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework her extensive experience of caring for children, together with her commitment to working in partnership with parents, enables her to effectively meet children's welfare and learning needs. She has begun to assess her practice and is committed to keeping up-to-date by liaising with other childminders and by attending training in the future, in order to develop her knowledge of the EYFS. However, there are some breaches of legal requirements relating to documentation.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure that all required documentation for the Early Years Foundation Stage, including a written record of risk assessments for the home and outings, information for parents regarding procedures for complaints and consent for seeking emergency treatment, is in place (Documentation) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 31/01/2010

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further?

 develop a system for observation and assessment in order to plan for children's development across the six areas of learning (Organisation) 31/01/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop knowledge and undstanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage  build up links with other providers in the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure that children are provided with continuity across all areas of their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning  reorganise the storage of childminding records and documentation

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the early years provision

Most areas of children's developmental and welfare requirements are met. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of child protection issues and her role and responsibility for safeguarding children. Her home is checked regularly for hazards and necessary safety precautions such as gates and socket covers are in place. However, a record of risk assessments for the premises and outings has not been developed. This is a breach of a requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Although most documentation and record keeping is available, with the exception of a complaints procedure and written consent for seeking emergency treatment, storage of documentation is rather haphazard and not easily accessible.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops friendly relationships with parents and works closely in partnership to provide consistency and ensure children's needs are met. Information about children's routines activities and progress is shared verbally at the beginning and end of the day. Partnerships with other providers of the EYFS are not so well established. As a result continuity in children's learning is not assured.

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the early years provision

Effective organisation of the childminder's home enables children to move around confidently and freely. Good quality toys and play resources, stored in low level tubs, enable children to choose what they want to play with. The childminder has started to evaluate the care and education she provides and demonstrates a commitment to improving her provision, by sharing good practice with other childminders, reading literature from the National Childminding Association and through attending training in the future to develop her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.

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and outcomes for children

Thechildminder knows the children well and supports them to make satisfactory progress in their learning and development, through a varied range of indoor and outdoor activities. Children are happy, confident and enjoy a close relationship with the childminder who spends a lot of time playing with them and extending their learning. Children feel safe as they confidently explore their surrounding in the secure knowledge that the childminder is on hand to support them, join in activities and give cuddles. They demonstrate increasing independence as they make choices about their play and what they want to eat, as well as feeding and dressing themselves. Children enjoy being creative through various art and craft activities, singing songs, playing musical instruments and role play. The childminder effectively uses activities and routines to encourage children's counting skills and to help with their recognition of shapes, numbers and colours. She

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 continually talks to children to encourage their language and thinking skills. Children play in the garden and go on regular walks to local parks for healthy and energetic play. They enjoy helping to care for the rabbits and taking part in planting activities to help learn about nature. Outings in the community help to broaden children's knowledge and understanding of the wider world. Regular visits to the local library to choose books and story times are used to encourage children' s enjoyment of books.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is aware of children's individual needs and ensures that activities are planned and adapted so that all children can take part. Photographs of activities and samples of children's art work allow parents to see visual examples of their children's play and progress. However, these are not linked to the areas of learning and the childminder does not have sufficient systems in place for charting children's progress across the six areas of learning or for showing how she plans for the next steps in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is supported through the maintenance of good standards of hygiene and cleanliness in the childminder's home. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene routines such as washing their hands before meal times and after going to the toilet. They are given tasty, nutritious meals, healthy fresh fruit snacks and regular drinks. Provision is made for children to rest during the day and to take part in regular physical exercise. Children relate well to the childminder and enjoy lots of praise and encouragement, as they learn consistent boundaries and appropriate social skills such as sitting at the table for meal times, sharing and taking turns. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

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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