Childminder in Medway

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY405586 Inspection date 17/05/2010 Inspector Linda Patricia Coccia

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2010. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 11 years in Chatham, Kent. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There is suitable access to the premises.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years at any one time. She is able to care for up to three children in the early years age range. The childminder is currently minding three children between the ages of five months and three and a half years. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a pet African land snail and a hamster. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is effective in promoting self care with children. They practise her good hygiene procedures to ensure they limit the spread of germs and infection. The children are beginning to understand about germs and personal hygiene. The childminder has been childminding for a couple of months. She has instigated a couple of changes to her home safety procedures to cater for individual children. For example, making sure that the baby cannot hurt herself on sharp corners. This shows that she is able to maintain continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 provide regular opportunities for children to practise the emergency evacuation drill  develop the use of self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of the provision for children.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder manages her provision well. She ensures that all adults residing on the premises hold Criminal Record Bureau record clearance checks. Parents can see these in the childminder's portfolio along with her written policy statements. Statements include her procedures for dealing with complaints. So far her complaints log has no entries. All regulatory paperwork is fully completed including the recording of children's individual personal information. There have been no This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 incidents of accidents or administering medication. The childminder has the necessary record books available. The childminder has risk assessed the premises for safety issues. Changes have been noted, signed and dated. However, she has not provided the children with opportunities to regularly practise her well thought out emergency evacuation procedures. The childminder has good quality toys

p.4

the early years provision

which children can self select from. They are age appropriate for the children currently attending and there are books and toys which show positive images of race and culture. The childminder has plans to increase the range over time. The childminder includes all children in each activity. The baby, in particular, shows pleasure at being included in activities with the older children. There is plenty of floor space for children to move freely about. They can free flow between rooms. The childminder promotes the use of the dining table to eat and drink at. This avoids children spilling drinks and food in the play areas and also promotes social interaction at snack and meal times. This means that children learn social skills.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has made some suitable improvements to her service and has made some written notes as part of her self evaluation. However, as she has been minding for such a short time she has not fully formalised her service improvement plans which will have a positive impact on the children's care and learning. The childminder takes children to pre-schools and has begun the process of working in partnership with the other provisions. She has no current need to work with other agencies for individual children. Her partnership with parents is good. She fully discusses all care issues with them and ensures she obtains written permission from them regarding individual care issues. For example, seeking emergency medical help or advice. Parents have seen the learning record for their child. The contents have been fully discussed and parents agree that the childminder has a good understanding of the stage of development that their child is at. Parents can include their comments in

p.5

the early years provision

the record. This ensures that children benefit from consistent care.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The children have an enjoyable time with the childminder which ensures they achieve well. They arrive happy and are eager to play which shows they feel safe. Two children have only been attending for a week but they too are happily engrossed in their play. The childminder is using her well considered settling in procedures to ensure she gets to know them well. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and ensures that toys and books are available to help children develop well in the six areas of learning. The children love to use push button toys which play music, enabling the children to sing along. The older children push the buttons for the baby. They enjoy snuggling with the childminder at story time and are involved with the stories. They use a range of creative mediums, from paint to glue and sticky shapes, to create pictures and works of art. The childminder keeps examples of children's work in their

p.5

and outcomes for children

observation records. Children are challenged by the childminder with numbers and colours as they play. They enjoy the dolls and role play equipment. They make tea for each other and emulate the care they see the childminder giving to the baby. There is plenty of opportunity for physical play both within the home and off the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 premises. The childminder regularly takes the children to a local dance group. The children have lots of conversations at the dining table about their families. The childminder has carried out good observations on the children and records them in their learning journey. Observations are fully assessed and children's next steps are identified. The childminder caters for each child's learning needs by planning activities in advance. Base line assessments are carried out on new children during their first few weeks of attendance. The learning journeys' are full of photographic

p.5

and outcomes for children

evidence and examples of children's work. Records show that children are making good progress towards the Early Learning Goals and are developing skills for the future.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The children eat lunch that is provided by their parents. They talk to the childminder about the contents of their lunch boxes and are able to identify the healthy foods provided. The childminder provides any additional food requirements and drinks. Children are beginning to have a good understanding about adopting a healthy lifestyle. During discussions children talk about sharing toys and being kind to each other. The children are encouraged to include each other in their play. The childminder discusses behaviour management with parents. Her well written behaviour management policy statement provides for a number of different strategies that can be used with children and which takes into account the children's different ages and stages of development. The children are respectful and co-operative with the childminder. Children make a positive contribution towards the setting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 2 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8