Childminder in Medway

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY411182 Inspection date 07/12/2010 Inspector Jan White

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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 registered in 2010. She lives with her husband and sister, and two preschool children in Strood, Rochester, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have two guinea pigs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years or under five years at any one time, of whom no more than one be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for one child in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over eight years to 11 years. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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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's adequate understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage supports children?s care and learning. Overall there are some policies and procedures to take account of children's welfare. Some of the necessary documentation is in place and the childminder has the capacity to build upon her continuous improvement. She is aware of areas for her potential future development as well as her strengths. Children show signs of being comfortable in an environment where they are at ease with the childminder. They play with a range of resources some of which reflects the world around them. Parents are kept verbally informed of the children's daily activities and the childminder works in partnership with them to offer continuity of care. She has an awareness of the value for building links with outside agencies.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure parental permission is obtained, at the time of children's admission to the provision, for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 21/12/2010

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further?

 improve the record for risk assessments so that it includes information on all the areas used by the children. For example, any hazards in the outdoor area. (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 21/12/2010 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop further children's understanding of the evacuation drill and record details of any problems and how they were resolved in a fire log book  make systematic observations and assessments across all six areas of learning and development to identify learning priorities and use these to clarify the next steps  update the risk assessment report to take account of any assessments of risks for outings and obtain written permission for children to take part in outings and trips.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an adequate knowledge and understanding of her policies and procedures. She clearly describes the action regarding the process for lost or uncollected children. The childminder demonstrates an awareness of the action in relation to child protection and confirms some of the signs and symptoms of abuse. The parents have provided some of the required details regarding the child's essential information. Nevertheless, the childminder has not obtained written permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice for the child. This is a breach of a specific legal requirement. The childminder conducts and maintains a risk assessment on some areas within the home environment and describes the process for ensuring children's safety when on outings. She has made some alterations to the risks identified at the registration visit. The childminder makes sure that risks are minimized by supervising children when

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the early years provision

using the garden. Nevertheless, she has not included all the risks or areas used by the children, for instance, the outdoor area. In addition, there are no details recorded for outings or trips within the overall risk assessment report. Consequently, there are no details of how children are kept safe whilst in the garden or on outings. In addition, the childminder does not have parental permission for children to be taken on outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder works together with the parents and has a daily written record of activities. Parents comment that the children thoroughly enjoy the many activities the childminder provides and how they maintain continuity through their daily discussions. The childminder describes her procedure to consult with other settings. She has a satisfactory understanding of equal opportunities. All children are supported as they develop social and communication skills, and an understanding of diversity through some activities. The childminder explains how she supports each family according to their particular needs and children are treated with equal concern. The childminder has a current first aid certificate. This ensures children receive appropriate first aid treatment. Her first aid box is easily accessible and she has a system to maintain details of accidents and medication. The childminder has a sound understanding of her strengths and has noted areas

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the early years provision

to action for her future continuous improvement, such as making sure all written permissions are obtained and developing her knowledge of how to make This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 systematic observations. The childminder describes her approach to behaviour management. She also works together with parents and explains how she deals with a variety of different situations.

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and outcomes for children

Children are supported when choosing from the selection of easily accessible resources. The childminder helps them in their role play. For example, she suggests which items from the doctor's kit will help the animals feel better. Children have opportunities to play with a sufficient range of activities and some resources reflecting equal opportunities. The childminder strives to make plans for a balance of activities covering the early learning goals. She describes how children have made some progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is continuing to develop her systems to record observations, although this is not yet embedded. Nevertheless, the childminder has not made systematic observations or assessments to identify the learning priorities. As a result, the observations are not linked to the six areas of learning and development, and do not sufficiently clarify the next steps for children. The childminder has gathered information about

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and outcomes for children

children's daily routines and their likes and dislikes. However, she has not gathered some basic information regarding their capabilities or starting points. There is a basic record of activities within the written daily diary and parents are kept informed of the activities the children have taken part in.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder describes how the premises are evacuated in an emergency. However, the evacuation escape plan has not been carried out with children so that they develop an understanding of what to do in an emergency. As a result, children are not aware of the procedures to evacuate the premises and a record has not been maintained in a fire log book. Children are offered physical activities every day. They visit a local play centre or the park. In addition, they have opportunities to borrow books from the library and join in at the 'sing and rhyme time'. The childminder extends the activities by asking open ended questions, which supports children as they achieve to their own satisfaction. For example, as they pretend to make dinner in the play house. Children are supported as they learn at their own pace and the childminder adapts activities to suit their individual needs. They have opportunities to be active or take part in quieter activities, such

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and outcomes for children

as looking at picture books or using the play equipment in the garden. Children's well-being is supported and they are encouraged to make healthy food choices. The childminder explains some of the procedures for protecting the welfare of the child, such as putting into practice appropriate hygiene procedures or how to keep themselves safe when outside the home. For example, developing an understanding of 'stranger danger' or crossing roads safely. Children's understanding of appropriate hygiene practices is reinforced as they are reminded to use pump soap and individual towels. They learn about how toys are a trip hazard as the childminder gently reminds them to tidy the resources away when they are finished playing. However, storage containers are not labelled with pictures to fully encourage younger children's self help skills. Children are encouraged to develop skills for their future economic well-being, such as role play

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 or developing an understanding of the wider world. 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 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 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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