Childminder in Kent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY393454 Inspection date 15/01/2010 Inspector Alison Weaver

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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 registered in 2009. She lives with her husband and two children aged three and five years. They live in a house in Battle near to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The childminder’s home is situated up some steps from a narrow pavement on a main road. Access can be provide at the rear of the property but this also involves steep steps. The ground and first floors of the property are used for childminding. The bathroom is on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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 make acceptable progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder recognises that each child is unique and plans activities that are focused on meeting their individual needs. Adequate procedures are in place to promote children’s health, safety and well-being. Links with parents are informal and friendly although the lack of written communication limits the effectiveness of the partnership. The childminder shows a willingness to improve her knowledge and skills by attending training and seeking further advice from support workers.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the record of risk assessment so that it includes information on when it was carried out, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 29/01/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the assessment system to show how children make progress across all areas of learning  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips, and consider obtaining written parental permission for taking children on outings This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop opportunities for parents to be involved in children's learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a satisfactory awareness of possible signs of child abuse or neglect. She has appropriate procedures for reporting any concerns although does not have these in writing for parents. The childminder keeps her home safe and secure so that children play free from harm but her record of risk assessment is quite basic and does not fully meet the legal requirements. She takes the necessary safety precautions when taking children on outings but does not have a risk assessment recorded for each type of outing to fully ensure she has identified and minimised all hazards to children. The childminder only has verbal permission for taking children on outings. All other required documentation is in place and satisfactorily maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms satisfactory partnerships with parents. She only has a small amount of written information that she gives or shows to parents to make them aware of her policies and practices. The childminder ensures that she obtains information about the individual needs of each child and their family backgrounds so that she can care for them appropriately. She gives all parents verbal feedback to keep them informed about their child’s welfare although does offer to use care diaries for those who wish them. The childminder does not yet use the children’s records with parents to enable them to be more involved in their learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has only recently started minding but is putting in place various processes in order to develop her practices. These include the introduction of observation and assessment records to help children make progress. She shows a willingness to seek help from a variety of sources. She accesses reading and reference materials that help her plan activities and enable her to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage more effectively.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and happy with the childminder. They show they are developing a sense of security as they turn to the childminder for reassurance and support. She builds good relationships with them and encourages their learning and development as they play. The childminder gives them access to a satisfactory range of safe and suitable resources so that children can make some choices of their own. She talks to the children as they play to encourage their communication skills. They start to say new words as they respond to the childminder. Children enjoy doing puzzles and show that their fine motor skills are developing as they work out how to put the pieces together. They use their imagination as they play with the 'babies' and play food. They explore different textures together such as snow and ice. Children enjoy a variety of art and craft activities, for example, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

making dough decorations and leaf collages.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans different themes and takes into account children’s interests when deciding on activities. She has started to observe children and assess their progress in order to plan activities that will help them develop further. However, she has not fully developed the assessment process to ensure that every child is making satisfactory progress across all areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to have a healthy lifestyle and diet. They enjoy freshly prepared home cooked meals and healthy snacks. They have easy access to drinks to prevent dehydration. Children have plenty of opportunities to enjoy fresh air and physical exercise. They learn about safety when they go on outings to the park and to Battle Abbey. They visit the library where they choose books and enjoy the rhyme time activities. Their social skills are promoted by visiting toddler groups. 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 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary 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

 produce a written statement of procedures for safeguarding children being cared for from abuse or neglect and make it available to parents (Arrangements for safeguarding children - also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 29/01/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary 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 compulsory part of the Childcare Register section of the report (Arrangements for safeguarding children). 29/01/2010

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