Childminder in Medway

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY336331 Inspection date 16/09/2010 Inspector ISP Inspection

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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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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 2006. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Chatham, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding two children. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder effectively promotes the unique welfare and learning needs of each child she cares for. Children are cared for within safe boundaries and are well supervised at all times. The partnerships with the children's parents contribute well towards supporting their needs. The childminder's capacity for maintaining ongoing improvement is satisfactory. She has started to identify several strengths of the provision and is clear about the weaknesses that need to be addressed to promote effective outcomes for the children. The childminder is successfully continuing her professional development through ongoing training. Overall, an inclusive and welcoming service is provided.

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further?

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

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further?

 must request written parental permission, at the time of the child's admission to the provision, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 30/10/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 use systematic observations and assessments of children's achievements, interests and learning styles and to plan relevant and motivating play experiences for each child  ensure safeguarding procedures are in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance and procedures This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  ensure the risk assessment covers everything with which a child may come in contact

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded satisfactorily. The childminder is clear about the signs and symptoms of abuse, keeps a range of information to hand and knows what to do in the event of a concern. There is a written policy which is shared with the parents but this does not contain any reference to the Local Safeguarding Children Board. The home environment is risk assessed and measures are put in place to minimise any risk to the children. However, the record of this is not always clearly dated and does not always contain the actions taken to rectify concerns. The childminder has attended training courses and workshops to help her build on the quality of care she provides for children. She is beginning to evaluate her provision which is starting to enable her to identify the strengths and weaknesses and assess the areas for future improvement.

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the early years provision

The children play in a play room suitably equipped for their use, as well as having access to a secure garden. The toys and resources are easily accessible allowing children the opportunity to make free choices about their activities. The childminder provides toys and equipment which are suitable for all children; these include positive images for all children to relate to. The childminder provides a very inclusive provision; she ensures that each child is able to talk about themselves, their home and their background and share their experiences with the other children. Children learn to respect each other regardless of their abilities, culture or background. The childminder is a good role model for the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good working relationship with the parents and discusses the care of their child with them daily. She is beginning to record observations of the children's activities but is not clearly assessing their development or identifying their next steps in these records; so she is unable to share observations and assessments of the child's development with parents or other agencies involved in the care of the children. Therefore parents are not being fully included by having an input into the child's future learning. However, the childminder is able to describe the individual developmental needs of the children in her care and what activities she can provide to help them learn and move forward.

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the early years provision

Information about her childminding service is shared with parents both verbally and via relevant documentation. Parents go through the policies and procedures with the childminder and sign to say that they have seen them. All the required records and paperwork are kept and the childminder makes sure she has important personal details and contact information on each child. This means she is able to provide the appropriate individual care for each child. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder offers a warm and welcoming environment for children. She provides children with a wide range of activities and resources which encourage and support their progress and learning. Although the childminder has no written plans for the children she feels she knows them well enough to think about what they are interested in and what they need to do next. The childminder spends time talking and listening with the children, she gives them opportunities to extend their skills and understanding. Children play happily with the childminder and the interaction between them is caring and mutually affectionate.

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and outcomes for children

The free access to the toys and equipment encourages children's independence. There is a wide range of challenging and interesting toys and activities for children to enjoy. During the inspection the childminder was constantly at the children's level, praising and encouraging at all times. Children are able to make decisions about what they want to play with and show exceptional concentration skills especially when playing with construction or taking part in imaginative play.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has established her emergency evacuation plan and has practised it with children. The children are able to talk about how to keep themselves safe in an emergency and understand why the procedures are necessary. When out of the home the childminder talks to children about how to cross the road safely and discusses stranger danger when they go on visits to places such as the park.

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and outcomes for children

Children are introduced to healthy lifestyles through the food they are offered; they receive meals and snacks which take account of their individual dietary needs and are a mixture of fresh and convenience foods. Drinks are constantly available and are offered at regular intervals throughout the day. This encourages children to develop healthy eating habits. Children are introduced to physical activities such as singing and dancing and the use of the outdoor play space where they have access to a wide selection of equipment which enables them to develop their physical skills. The childminder follows good hygiene practice and explains what she is doing and reminds the children of the routines; so children learn the importance of good personal hygiene.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to learn about the wider world through visits to the local area and country parks where they spend time looking at nature or picking blackberries. Children are fascinated by wildlife programmes on the television, especially anything to do with fish. They also have opportunities to meet other children and adults at the childminding group where they learn to develop their social skills. Children are also introduced to technology through the use of computers and musical instruments. This is enabling children to start developing their skills for the future. 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 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 2 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: 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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