Childminder in Kent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY398690 Inspection date 13/01/2010 Inspector Susan Jennifer Scott

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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 husband and one pre- school aged child in Gillingham, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and an upstairs bedroom and bathroom are also available. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years, compulsory and voluntary childcare registers. She is registered to provide overnight care for one child. The childminder currently minds a total of two children under three years on a part time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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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

Children benefit from the childminder's ability to provide them with interesting activities inside and outside the home, which enables their enjoyment and progress. The childminder provides children with a safe and suitable home environment and a range of resources which cater for their individual development. Children's development and skills are observed and assessed and there is a sound system to plan for their progress, covering all areas of learning and development based upon the Early Years Practice Guidance. Parents are welcomed into the childminder's home and she shares information about children's experiences and development with them. The childminder has begun to evaluate her service using the Early Years Statutory framework.

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further?

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

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further?

 analyse the observations to help plan the next steps for individuals and groups of children  ensure the risk assessment covers everything with which a child may come in contact, such as the unsecured shelf unit in the bedroom where children sleep  ensure there are clear procedures for providing information to parents on emergency procedures, including those for uncollected or missing children and evacuations  ensure posters, pictures and other resources on display show the setting’s positive attitude to disability, and to ethnic, cultural and social diversity This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues as she attended training previously and she makes appropriate arrangements to safeguard children. The childminder is aware of other agencies and organisations she can refer to or consult with in order to support and safeguard the children she cares for and has a good selection of information to refer to. She shares her policies and procedures with parents so that they are informed about her arrangements although not all of these are written down. The childminder has made a record of her risk assessment and has reviewed this regularly, although has she not included all hazards and the action she has taken to minimise these. However, the premises are secure and the childminder supervises children closely and when they are sleeping when she uses a baby monitor. The childminder has suitable resources available to meet children's needs;

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the early years provision

for example, she has suitable chairs, a double buggy and a spare cot. There are several boxes full of varied toys and resources which she makes available for the children who help themselves to various books, soft toys and puzzles, though only a few reflect disabilities and diversity at present.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses the Early Years Statutory Foundation Stage (EYFS) to support the learning and development of the children effectively. She is building upon her understanding of the EYFS and has enrolled on a course to familiarise herself with the use of the Practice Guidance. A strength of the childminder's service is that she provides for varied types of interesting and stimulating play activities which promotes the learning and progress of children she minds. Children benefit from appropriate routines within the well organised, homely surroundings offering them an appealing selection of activities both inside and outside in the local community that they enjoy.

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the early years provision

The childminder has begun to evaluate her service using her developing knowledge and understanding for the EYFS. She has also renewed her first aid training to ensure her skills are up to date. She is planning and delivering an interesting and stimulating programme for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures she has written consents from parents to cover a variety of issues, including those for attending outings and for the administration of medicine to children. There is a selection of information available which provides information for parents so that they can contact the regulator and the files and records are shared with parents. There is a good exchange of information facilitated through the use of a contact book for the younger children which notes children's play and learning experiences, including what they have eaten and how long they have slept. Parents are very pleased with the good service they receive: they are kept informed about the experiences of their children through the use of verbal and written feedback. The childminder shares the children's individual folders with parents and discusses their development enabling consistent practice between children's care at home and their care here.

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy the time they spend with the childminder because they have access to a variety of interesting activities inside and outside the home. The childminder takes children to a variety of groups and amenities in the locality such as, the library and local groups. This supports and enables their development and the childminder ensures they learn about keeping safe when they are taken out, by talking about traffic and how to behave safely. Children's learning and progress is supported by the childminder who regularly observes and assesses their skills, knowledge and abilities. The childminder records her observations and is developing her systems to ensure children make progress in all areas of their development by referencing her assessments to the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses praise and acknowledges children's achievements which promotes their self-esteem and ensures they feel good about what they do. This positive reinforcement encourages them to build upon their skills and to develop their confidence. The childminder provides a safe and suitable home environment and has completed a record of the risk assessment which she regularly reviews. However, although the childminder supervises all the areas children use for play, she has not secured a set of high shelves in the room where children sleep which is an undocumented hazard if babies manage to climb out of the cot. The childminder uses a baby monitor to alert her when children wake so that she can check on them quickly. Children are currently unable to use the garden as the fence across the terrace is unsuitable and not able to prevent children from falling a short way onto the grassed area. Children are protected in the event of an

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and outcomes for children

emergency, as the childminder has made appropriate plans to evacuate if necessary and knows they can wait for help in the safety of a neighbour's house.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is protected by procedures to ensure children wash their hands before eating and dry themselves with paper towels, avoiding the risk of cross infection. Children usually experience hygienic nappy changing procedures which protect them and ensure their good health. They enjoy a balance of popular and healthy foods and many snacks or meals incorporate fresh fruit or vegetables. For example, children enjoy melon and mango for their snack. Children can all access frequent drinks of water in their own beakers. This safeguards children and promotes their health.

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and outcomes for children

Children show independence and make choices about the activities they become involved in, as they select from the range of toys and activities provided. The childminder enables young children to learn appropriate hygiene routines, such as using soap and water to wash their hands after messy play such as painting. All the children feed themselves from individual bowls while sitting at the table or in a highchair placed at the table, reinforcing safe and healthy routines. They enjoy a variety of outings, visiting the local shops and are encouraged to select fruit and vegetables at the local farm shop. Children respond positively to the interesting and varied activities provided by the childminder who organises regular outings to the local toddler group where they learn about cooking, weighing and measuring ingredients. They have made Christmas puddings which they cooked at the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

childminder's home and made fruit kebabs and cheese parcels which supports their understanding of festivals and their celebration.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit and learnt about their community when they visit the local library and enjoy story-time and take books home to use. They learn an awareness of their own safety as the childminder reminds them of safety when walking outside and using road crossings. The childminder reminds them how to behave safely indoors when playing and encourages them to be sensitive towards each other. Children enjoy their time with the childminder because she provides stimulating learning experiences and asks good questions to enable them to build upon their skills and understanding. For example, they learn to count and can identify several colours because they have discussions about their activities. They explore and experiment with the interesting activities planned for them, such as painting, using brushes, spoons and forks to observe the different effects. Children extend their imaginative experiences by using the vegetable printing activity organised for

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and outcomes for children

them, using potatoes. They enjoy the freedom to paint on large paper on the floor and have experienced playing with a variety of textures and materials, including gloop, slime and dough.

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and outcomes for children

Children particularly enjoy using a variety of suitable books and listen to the stories read to them. They access technical toys and learn how to use these successfully, building their skills and understanding. Children participate in imaginary play with dolls and the soft toys, such as the train engines, which are a favourite, and the childminder encourages children to differentiate colours and learn different names. They join in singing rhymes, showing their enjoyment and understanding of language. 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 2 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 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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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