Childminder in Kent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY410097 Inspection date 14/10/2010 Inspector Liz Caluori

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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 2010. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and five. The whole ground floor of the 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 n the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register and may care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time. She currently has eight children under eight years on roll, of whom five are in the early years age group including one childre under one year. Whislt some children attend regular booked hours, others attend on an adhoc basis. The childminder is able to support children who speak English as an additional language as well as those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local parent/toddler group and is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). The family have a pet cat.

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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

Children enjoy secure, positive relationships with the childminder and safely access a good variety of play and learning experiences. The childminder provides an inclusive environment, successfully identifying and addressing children's individual welfare and development needs and, as a result, they are making good progress. Effective partnerships and good communication with parents and carers help children to settle and ensures consistency of care. A strong commitment to reflection and ongoing improvement ensures that practices are constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of the children and their families.

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further?

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

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further?

 offer children support to use a range of ICT such as a computer, programmable toys or cameras  put in place arrangements to share children's development and learning records and any other relevant information with other practitioners involved in the care of the children attending. 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 places a good level of focus on promoting children's safety. She has a clear policy, which is shared with parents and carers, outlining her responsibility to report any concerns that she may have about children's welfare and is confident in her ability to identify the potential signs and symptoms of abuse. Risk assessments are undertaken on all areas of the premises as well as for a range of outings. This enables the childminder to identify and address any potential hazards.

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the early years provision

The childminder is wholly committed to providing a service that is constantly evolving to meet the needs of children and their families. Since registration she has devised a range of systems and practices which she is still refining and has sought the views of parents and carers in order to identify areas for improvement.

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the early years provision

Children are provided with a very good selection of toys and resources and these are attractively presented. The childminder has organised her home to enable children to move safely between each room. This encourages them to explore their environment and become independent in their learning. The garden is particularly inspiring and offers children space to explore nature as well to take part in a range of activities and games.

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the early years provision

The childminder recognises the lack of cultural diversity in her local area and compensates by encouraging children to learn about the different customs and festivals from people throughout the world. In addition she promotes positives images of different people, including those with disabilities, through the books and toys provided as well as discussions and activities.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the good communication maintained with their parents and carers. This helps them to settle and ensures consistent and coordinated care. She is very respectful of the wishes of parents and carers and plans her day to accommodate children's different routines. Parents and carers are provided with a good range of written information about the service and about their child's progress. The childminder is similarly committed to working in partnerships with other childcare providers but has yet to establish procedures to share information effectively.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, confident and settled in the childminder's home. They demonstrate their sense of security as they snuggle up to her when they are tired. They move safely and sensibly around the setting and are supported learn to identify potential dangers such as the cooker.

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and outcomes for children

Strong emphasis is placed on ensuring that children follow healthy lifestyles. They This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 play and learn in a clean environment and are taught about the importance of good nutrition. They enjoy regular fruit snacks and take part in cooking activities such as making fruit smoothies. Children also benefit from very regular opportunities to engage in physical exercise playing in the garden, walking to and from the local school and visiting local parks to play on the swings and feed the ducks. Appropriate procedures are in place to deal with sickness and to administer medication. The childminder maintains a current first aid certificate and is able to treat children in case of a minor accident.

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and outcomes for children

Children play happily with the toys provided and also enjoy experiences which the childminder has organised specifically to reflect their individual needs. They take part in activities which cover all areas of their development although those in the early years age group do not routinely have access to computers or other ICT. Particularly good focus is placed on extending children's knowledge and understanding of the world. They explore their outdoor environment looking at nature, using magnifying glasses to study bugs and helping to grow flowers. They also visit a range of local facilities including the library and children's centre. Children's creativity is also very effectively addressed through arts and crafts and access to an extensive range of role play resources. The childminder also builds on children's curiosity to extend their learning, for example providing additional resources to offer more challenge to a toddler who is learning that pressing certain

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and outcomes for children

buttons on toys triggers different actions to take place.

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and outcomes for children

The warm, positive atmosphere within the home, along with the childminder's calm manner, promotes good behaviour. Children develop effective social skills as they play with their peers, interact with the childminder and mix with other people at groups or in the village. They are also learning how to be socially responsible, for example by recycling and becoming involved in charitable activities. The support that they are given to understand and respect differences helps to prepare them to interact with people who will later become their friends, neighbours and colleagues. 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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