Childminder in Kent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY376447 Inspection date 23/07/2010 Inspector Linda Patricia Coccia

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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 assesses 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 2008. She lives with her husband and three children aged 16 months, three years and five years in Tonbridge, Kent. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There are no restrictions at the entrance to the premises.

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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 three children aged under eight years at any one time. Of these, one child may be in the early years age range. When working with an assistant, the childminder may increase her numbers in the early years age range to three children. She is also registered to provide overnight care for one child under eight years. The childminder is currently minding five children between the ages of 14 months and 10 years, of whom three are in the early years age range. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local childminding group on a regular basis. The childminder 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is effective in meeting children's needs because she has a good understanding of how young children learn and develop. She provides a nice range of good quality toys and activities. She has kept up to date on childcare regulation and has changed a number of procedures in light of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She still has a minor safety issue to address. Overall, this shows she is able to maintain continuous improvement in her service.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain a record of evacuation drills in the fire log book, which includes details of any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her service well. She considers the needs of individual children when placing safety equipment around the premises and when implementing safety procedures. Her paperwork is up-to-date and readily to hand. Children's personal information is stored appropriately. The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding children issues. She has upgraded her knowledge of child protection by attending a recent Safeguarding Children course with the local authority. Both adults in her household hold current Criminal Record Bureau This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 checks. Other working procedures include meeting nominated collectors in advance, ensuring she always has children's details with her when off the premises and carrying out regular risk assessments both on and off the premises. She displays a poster for parents concerning complaints and she has a complaints log

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the early years provision

with no entries. These all ensure that children's well-being is promoted.

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the early years provision

Despite being registered two years ago, the childminder has only commenced childminding in the past six months. During this time, she has driven improvement of her service to bring it in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has completed the on-line self-evaluation, having listened to parents informal comments about her service and discussing relevant topics with other childminders at the local minding group. She plans to ask parents for their comments on a more formal basis when she carries out individual annual care reviews with them. She uses the space in her premises very well. Children are able to free flow to the garden from the main play area whenever they want. Toys are readily accessible to them, allowing them to make choices about what they play with. This promotes self-esteem and decision making. However, although the childminder has considered her emergency evacuation plan and has practised it, she has not

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the early years provision

maintained a record of evacuation drills in the fire log book, which includes details of any problems encountered and how they were resolved. The childminder uses local amenities well. Children accompany her to a number of different venues giving them an understanding of their local community. The childminder promotes equality and diversity with children. All children can play with all toys. She has experience of dealing with children who need additional support in their learning and has a good knowledge of local services which will support children in their development. This ensures that all children receive appropriate support.

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the early years provision

The children that currently attend are only cared for by the childminder which means that she has not yet had the opportunity to invoke her partnership procedures for working with other agencies and childcare providers. However, the procedure she has in place will allow her to be actively involved in all aspects of her child-minded children's lives. For example, she has informed parents of her need to share information with other provisions. Parents are fully informed of all aspects of their child's care. They provide the childminder with written permission regarding emergency medical treatment and other aspects of individual care, such as, administering medication and sun creams. Parents are fully involved in their child's learning and development as they have opportunities to comment in the individual daily diary provided or through daily discussions. Children receive consistent care.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They are happily engaged in activities and love to explore the wide range of toys available. The childminder knows their individual quirks and routines well. This enables children to feel safe and secure with the minder and her setting. The current minded children are very young. They have plenty of space to crawl about and explore their surroundings. They enjoy musical push button toys and are beginning to develop their problem This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 solving skills. For example, how to get the toy coins out of the play till. These types of activities also promote children's fine motor and gross motor skills, as well as giving them the a good basis for knowledge and understanding of the world. Children have access to sand and water play in the secure garden. The childminder has decorated the garden with a number of items, such as, wind chimes and

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and outcomes for children

windmills to help develop children's sensory development. Children use paint, play dough and other craft mediums to make their own creations, which they can take home to parents. The childminder actively researches the internet for appropriate age activities so that all children can be involved, regardless of their age and ability. The childminder has begun to keep written development records on each child. These include detailed observations of children playing, good assessments of their abilities and a record of their next steps and achievements. She plans activities on topical themes for them and fits their individual next steps into these. The records are shared with parents regularly and they have the opportunity to comment in writing in them. From the records available, it clearly shows that children are making good progress towards the early learning goals and are developing future skills.

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and outcomes for children

The children practise the childminder's good hygiene procedures. These include regular hand washing throughout the day. The are provided with food which caters for their individual dietary needs and which is healthy and nutritious. Children are able to choose their preferences from the selection of snacks available. Children enjoy planting vegetable in the garden and watching them grow. This gives them an understanding of where food comes from. The childminder helps children to understand how to look after their bodies by promoting physical activity and explains the need to drink lots of water when they are active. Children can make a positive contribution to the setting. As they get older, they will be able to have an input into the rules of the setting but currently, because of their ages, the childminder provides plenty of reminders regarding using toys and equipment safely and safely manoeuvring around the space. This leads to children having a

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and outcomes for children

good understanding of day-to-day safety issues. It also helps their understanding regarding having consideration for others during their play. Children interact well together and are cooperative with the childminder. Children are learning and developing well. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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 2 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 2

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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 2 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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