Childminder in Medway

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY318773 Inspection date 15/09/2010 Inspector Beryl Witheridge

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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 partner in Hempstead, 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 five children at any one time, of whom, three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding two children in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks/drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The childminder can support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She 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's in-depth knowledge of the children and their individual needs enables her to successfully promote their welfare and learning. Activities planned within the Early Years Foundation Stage help children to explore, investigate and make good progress. The partnership with parents contributes to each child's particular requirements being catered for effectively. The childminder is beginning to evaluate her service, identifying areas to work on which will develop the outcomes for children; therefore she has a strong capacity for maintaining continuous improvement. She is very proactive about training to ensure that her knowledge is current and she is following best practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 make ongoing observational assessments of each child's achievements and interest and use them to provide relevant and motivating learning experiences that meet children's needs  maintain a regular two-way flow of information with parents and other providers involved in the care of the children

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the early years provision

Children are happy and secure in the childminder's care. All adults in the home are suitably vetted and the comprehensive risk assessment system means that any hazards within the home are minimised. The childminder has a clear understanding This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of the local safeguarding children procedures and communicates her duty of care to the parents through a very well developed safeguarding policy. She has undertaken recent safeguarding children training and is clear about possible signs of abuse. This means that children's safety is given high priority.

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the early years provision

Children are very at home in the comfortable, child-friendly, welcoming environment. Resources are freely accessible and children are able to make free choices and decisions about what they would like to play with. Boxes of toys are rotated to give children variety. Children have plenty of space to play as well as room to sit quietly and relax. All resources and equipment are of good quality and are checked regularly for any damage. The childminder uses the Early Years Foundation Stage to good effect to ensure that she is meeting the needs of each child. She completes comprehensive observations of the children, but is not always linking these to the areas of learning or identifying next steps; although she is able to talk about their progress and development. She plans future activities taking account of the likes, interests an abilities of the children. They are flexible to maintain children's interest and enthusiasm. Children have a lot of opportunities to

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the early years provision

learn about the world around them through visits to the local country park and Mote Park where they look at the wildlife, they then come back and follow this up through looking at books. They also visit the garden centre to see the animals and learn about how to care for them. Children grow their own seeds and sunflowers, and they love their bug hunts in the garden. Resources provide children with positive images of the world around them.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very focused on improving and extending her provision. She is constantly looking at ways to move forward. She is beginning to use reflective practice to evaluate her service and is starting to identify her strengths and areas for improvement. She is very proactive towards her training and is enthusiastic about learning and developing her own knowledge, having undertaken several courses and workshops. This enables her to have a better insight into child care and development, which in turn provides a better service for parents and the children in her care. The childminder has written information about her childminding service and clearly written and effective policies and procedures. All parents receive a copy of all policies. Parents are kept continually informed of their child's progress through the daily activity records and talking daily to the childminder. All the required records and paperwork are well kept and up to date.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes sure she has important personal details and contact information on each child. This means she is able to provide the appropriate care for each child.

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the early years provision

The relationship between the childminder and the parents is a two-way partnership in which parents are kept well informed and are fully included in the future improvement of the childminder's service. The links with other agencies have not yet been established as the children do not attend other provisions but the childminder is aware of her responsibility to forge links and share information with future groups who are involved in the care of the children. 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 is an experienced child carer and has a very good understanding of how children learn and develop. Children are provided with a wide range of resources which are challenging, stimulating and enjoyable and enable the childminder to encourage and support their progress in all areas of learning. Children make decisions about what they would like to do and have free access to the toys and equipment which helps to encourage their independence. The childminder gets to know the children well and works with parents to identify their starting points and plan for their future needs. The childminder spends time talking and listening with the children, giving them opportunities to extend their skills and understanding. The interaction between the childminder and the children is close, caring and affectionate.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is fully considered through a well organised and safe environment. House rules are in place and are displayed on the notice board in the entrance hall. Children regularly take part in emergency evacuation practises, all of which are recorded. The childminder is to extend these so children learn personal details such as her address and phone number as they get older. They are taught road safety and stranger danger when they are out of the house so they know how to keep themselves safe. Children are comfortable in the company and care of the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children that attend are provided with regular drinks and healthy snacks and meals taking into account their likes, dislikes and dietary needs. The meals provided are healthy and nutritious using fresh ingredients. Children are beginning to understand about eating balanced diets. The children understand the importance of personal hygiene routines; posters on the bathroom door remind them how to wash their hands correctly. Outdoor play in the garden using the available equipment such as the swing, the slide and the climbing frame is a regular part of children's routine. They take part in singing and activity rhymes and love to use the musical instruments to accompany themselves; which helps to promote their physical development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children's behaviour by setting a good example for them; she is an excellent role model. She encourages children to respect each other, be nice and take turns. She encourages children to feel pride in what they can do and achieve through positive reinforcement and praise. Children are provided with varied, interesting and effective learning opportunities in a safe and caring environment. 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 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 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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