Childminder in Medway

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY390828 Inspection date 24/11/2009 Inspector Beryl Witheridge

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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 was registered in 2009. She lives with her husband and four children aged between eight and 13 years in Rochester, Kent. The whole ground floor and one bedroom of the childminder’s house are used for childminding and there is an enclosed area for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time of whom three may be in the early years age group and is currently minding two children in the early years age group part time, overnight only. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a pet dog, cat and lizards.

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Description of the childminding

She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 has a reasonable knowledge on how children progress and provides opportunities to meet the needs of the children she cares for. Observations and assessments are not currently being recorded, nor are next steps being identified which will lead future planning. The childminder works in close partnership with parents to provide children with continuity of care. Children's welfare and wellbeing are positively promoted. The childminder identifies areas for improvement in her service through her self evaluation of her provision. Overall, the childminder delivers an inclusive and welcoming service.

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further?

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

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further?

 use systematic observations and assessments of children’s achievements, interests and learning styles to plan relevant and motivating play experiences for each child  ensure that children’s next steps are being clearly identified through the observational assessments and that these are used in leading future planning maintain a regular two-way flow of information, knowledge and expertise between parents and practitioners, to help support and extend children’s learning and development

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the early years provision

The childminder has a high level of commitment to promoting the children's welfare. She ensures anyone who has access to the children is suitable to do so. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are well protected through the clearly written safeguarding procedures and supporting documentation. The childminder understands her role and responsibility to the children in her care. She ensures parents understand the procedures to be followed, if there were concerns, by sharing the written policy with them. Children are supervised at all times to minimise any risk to the children.

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the early years provision

The toys and resources are stored where they are easily accessible to the children allowing them the opportunity to make free choices about their activities. The toys and equipment are suitable and appropriate for the ages and stages of development of the children attending. The childminder takes positive steps to learn about the children's background, their home life and their individual religious beliefs so that she is able to provide an all encompassing service for them.

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the early years provision

A written risk assessment of the home and resources has been carried out and the actions taken to minimise risk are recorded. The childminder has evaluated her provision and has noted some areas she wants to improve but as she has only recently started minding she is aware that this is an area she will need to extend.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good working relationship with the parents and discusses the care and welfare of their children with them. She is able to talk about what their children can do and how she plans to help them move forward. She has not started recording children's progress so is unable to share clear observations and assessments of their child's development. She talks to the parents about their children but does not have any written information to share with them about their progress. There are no links with other agencies as the children are not cared for by any other people at present; however she is aware of her responsibility to work with others and share any records of their development. Information about her childminding service is shared with parents, both verbally and via the written policies and procedures. All the required records and details of each child are kept enabling the childminder to provide appropriate care for each child.

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and outcomes for children

As the minded children are currently cared for overnight there is not much opportunity for them to play, usually just for a very short period before they go to bed. Children are able to make decisions about what they would like to do. They have free access to the toys and equipment which encourages their independence. Through watching the children the childminder is able understand what they are able to do and what skills they need to acquire. The childminder spends a short time playing with and talking to the children; the youngest child happily rolls and kicks on the blanket on the floor, reaching for and showing a great interest in the toys. The older child shows a love of books eagerly selecting them and taking them to the childminder or her children to have the story read. Children play happily with the childminder and her family; the interaction between them all is close, caring and affectionate. The childminder has not yet started to record observations

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and outcomes for children

or assessments of the children's progress but has identified this as one of her areas for improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are provided with a safe environment in which their welfare is considered and promoted. House rules are in place. There is a written emergency evacuation plan in place but this has not been practised with the children because of their age and understanding and the times they are cared for. She has discussed these procedures with her family and they all understand the importance of knowing what to do in an emergency and the responsibility the family all have to the safety of the minded children. The childminder ensures that the children are with her at all times so they are safe and secure. Children do not currently go on trips but the childminder has high visibility jackets for when they do. When transporting the

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and outcomes for children

children in the car the appropriate car seats are used to ensure their safety.

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and outcomes for children

Children that attend are provided with regular drinks provided by their parents. The childminder is aware of their individual likes, dislikes and dietary needs. She is introducing the children to good hygiene routines through her own example.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children's behaviour. She is an excellent role model, she encourages children to respect each other and take turns. Children benefit from lots of praise and encouragement which teaches them to look for attention in a positive way. Children's social skills are developed through mixing with the childminder and her family. Children are looked after in a safe and caring environment. 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 3 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 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 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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