Childminder in Kent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY397610 Inspection date 26/01/2010 Inspector Susan Linda Capon

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 partner and two children aged four and five years old in a house situated in Dartford. All areas of the home are available for childminding and there is a secure garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

When working alone the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years old, of whom only two may be in the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for one child in the early years age group on a full-time basis. She is also registered to care for two children under eight years old overnight. The applicant's partner is a registered assistant. When they are working together they may care for a maximum of six children under eight years old of whom five may be in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She makes regular use of the local amenities including the parks and library.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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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 provides children with a suitable range of toys, activities and equipment each day meeting their developmental needs. Children participate in a suitably balanced programme of activities, incorporating adult led and free choice selections, generally keeping them interested and occupied each day. The childminder recognises the children's individuality, incorporating their personal needs into her daily routines promoting inclusive practice. She is continuing to develop her provision, following her registration last year, recognising what she does well and areas for future improvement. The childminder has developed good relationships with parents, enabling them to be involved in their child's daily care, learning and development.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the daily register is updated on children's arrival and departure, ensuring an accurate record is maintained at all times. (Documentation) (also applies to the compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 26/02/2010

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further?

 maintain a record of all risk assessments carried out to ensure children are safe and secure when they are indoors, outdoors and on outings. (Safeguarding and 26/03/2010 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 welfare).

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the range of toys, activities and equipment readily available to provide a more stimulating provision where children can continue to learn and develop as they play.  ensure all regular visitors and assistants complete the appropriate checks, ensuring children are safe and secure at all times.  add the Ofsted contact details to the complaints procedure, ensuring parents are aware of who to contact to make a formal complaint if required.

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the early years provision

The childminder enjoys spending time with the children as she supports their ongoing development and progress. She has a well organised range of policies and procedures for the day to day management of her provision, although Ofsted contact details require adding to the complaints procedures. All adult household members have been fully checked and vetted, ensuring they are suitable to be with children. However, some regular visitors have not been fully vetted, although the childminder never leaves them alone with the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has informally self-evaluated her provision recognising her personal strengths and areas for development. For example, she has completed full risk assessments for all areas of her premises although she does not currently maintain a record as required. The childminder intends to obtain more toys and equipment for the children to extend opportunities for their learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has identified all potential hazards in her home and garden, taking suitable steps to minimise these, preventing unnecessary accidents. For example, the garden is fully secure and all keys to main doors are inaccessible to children, preventing them leaving the premises unnoticed. She has working smoke alarms, regular gas checks and a fire blanket readily available in the kitchen for emergency use. The childminder includes regular discussions in her daily plans regarding the importance of safety, enabling children to feel safe and secure in the setting.

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the early years provision

The children's welfare and safety is important to the childminder. She provides a sufficient, suitable range of toys, activities and equipment each day, ensuring they are clean and safe for the children to use. Children are learning about other people and the world about them, helping them recognise everyone is special and important. They enjoy visiting the local library and parks, developing their awareness of their local community and other children as they play.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed good relationships with the children's parents. She has well organised contracts and information about the child, enabling her to meet their personal care needs each day. Parents receive extensive information about This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the provision through the childminder's policies, procedures, daily routine and menu information. Regular daily discussions enables them to keep up to date with their child's care, learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children spend their day in a warm, welcoming, bright and well maintained home. They have ample space to move around freely as they explore the environment in safety. The children have developed close relationships with the childminder and her family members, making them feel at home and part of the family; for example, they are confident to let the childminder know they are unhappy when their friend has left the provision. Children are developing a good understanding of how to stay safe at all times, for example, they recognise the importance of taking care as they go up and down the stairs. They hold the childminder's hand when they are walking close to busy roads and understand they must stay close to the childminder when playing in the local park. Children understand how to react in an emergency as they regularly practise the emergency evacuation procedures.

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and outcomes for children

The children have a good understanding of how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy healthy home made meals, including fresh fruit and vegetables, each day. They are aware fresh air and exercise helps them grow big and strong. The childminder and children use good hygiene routines throughout the day, preventing the spread of infection. For example, they wash their hands before cooking activities and after using the bathroom. Younger children are developing their independence as they enjoy making their own sandwich for lunch.

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and outcomes for children

The children enjoy regular opportunities to play outdoors and enjoy the fresh air as they walk to and from school. They particularly enjoy practising their climbing, jumping and swinging skills in the local park or bouncing on the large trampoline in the childminders garden.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a suitable programme of activities covering the six areas of learning each week. She knows the individual children well, although her regular observations are not to put to their full use. For example, she does not chart the child's development and next steps for progression, preventing planning fully meeting individual developmental needs.

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and outcomes for children

The children are very confident in the setting. They are keen to attend and look forward to playing with the other children. The children use their imagination as they build models from the construction materials. They enjoy counting the trains they have made and weighing and measuring ingredients for baking cakes. Music and movement is a firm favourite as they move around imaginatively to different types of music. Children enjoy visiting the local library, selecting their own books to read quietly on their own or with the childminder. They enjoy drawing and colouring creating their own pictures for their parents. They are developing their social skills as they play alongside and with other children of a similar age. The children are developing their awareness of the importance of sharing and taking This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 turns as they play with the toys. They develop good self esteem as the childminder

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and outcomes for children

regularly praises their achievements. 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 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 26/02/2010

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