Childminder in Medway

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY415214 Inspection date 24/01/2011 Inspector Linda 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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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 three children aged 16, 14 and 6 years old in Gillingham, Kent. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding apart from two of the bedrooms on the first floor and the two loft rooms. There is one step to access 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 five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children aged 2 and 3 years on roll and who fall withtin the Early Years Foundation Stage. The family has a pet cat, two pet dogs, 2 guinea pigs and some fish. 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 provides good quality care for children. She is most effective in the good interaction she has with children that helps them to feel safe and valued in the setting. Overall children's individual needs are met. The childminder has changed a few procedures since commencing childminding to improve the setting for children. This shows she is able to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 monitor that children's next steps are being clearly identified through the observational assessments and that these are used in leading future planning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has organised her service well. Her regulatory paperwork is very well maintained and stored appropriately. She risk assesses the premises daily and children regularly practice the childminder's well thought out emergency evacuation procedures. Therefore, children have opportunities to keep themselves safe in emergencies. All adults over the age of 16 and who reside on the premises hold current Criminal Record Bureau checks. The childminder has a good understanding of local child protection (cp) issues and has current contact information for a number of cp agencies. Her written safeguarding children policy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 includes details of procedures to be used in the event of allegations made against the childminder or her family. Children's well being is promoted.

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the early years provision

The childminder has improved her service for children since registration. She now makes sure children can access their toys easily and can free flow around the large, well maintained play areas. Toys are varied, of good quality and well maintained. Children have choices about what they play with and where. The childminder is keen to increase her childcare knowledge and has booked herself on to a number of training courses and workshops over the forthcoming months. The childminder made changes to her service following a self evaluation. Parent's comments are included in the evaluation. The childminder also has a good understanding of equality and diversity issues. Her written policy advises parents of appropriate legislation and how she will conduct her service. For example, all children are welcomed to the childminder's home and all of them can use all toys. The childminder also has good procedures in place to access specialist services for

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the early years provision

minded children should they need them. However, there are currently no children with special educational needs and/or disabilities attending. Children have their individual needs met. The childminder takes children to a local pre-school where she exchanges relevant information with the child's keyworker. For example, any activities they complete whilst being minded and any plans for future outings and activities. She receives information back to share with parents. The childminder exchanges information with parents verbally at drop off and collection times. They discuss all relevant care issues, such as, what children have eaten and if they have enjoyed the day. Parents receive their own copies of all policies and procedures. They are able to see their children's observation records regularly in order to discuss their children's progress. Parents provide written permission for the childminder to apply sun creams, seek emergency medical advice or treatment,

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the early years provision

amongst others. Parent's recorded comments indicate they are happy with the service being provided. Children receive good consistent care.

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and outcomes for children

The children are happy and settled with the childminder. They animatedly chatter away to her as they play. Occasionally they look to her for comfort or reassurance. This shows that children feel safe in the setting and are building good relationships with the childminder. The childminder is always available to join in children's play or encourage them to try things for themselves. For example, fitting together puzzle pieces. She makes suggestions to children to help them extend their activities. For example, children are creative as they make scenery for their finger puppets. They also enjoy the closeness of story time as they snuggle to listen to stories read by the childminder from the numerous books available. Children move freely between the play areas. They enjoy the freedom of the large play area as they complete large floor puzzles or play skittles. Role play equipment is freely available and children love dressing up and playing with their babies. Children are

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and outcomes for children

involved in a wide range of activities and are developing their future skills. The childminder has carried out initial assessments on the children with the help of parents. She carries out regular observations on the children playing and good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessments on their abilities. However, children's next steps are not being identified or used to assist the childminder in her planning of activities for individual children. Overall, records show that children are making good progress towards the Early Learning Goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children engage in a wide variety of food activities. Photographs show children making and decorating cakes and making their own sandwiches. They learn about food hygiene and personal hygiene as they practise the childminder's hand washing and self care procedures. The childminder provides food for children which they like and enjoy. Children have access to drinks throughout the day and do not share cups. Children eat food which is healthy and nutritious. Children have good opportunities for physical play both indoors and outside. Children play well together and are encouraged to be kind to each other. They observe the childminder's house rules which are simple to achieve. The childminder's well written behaviour management policy shows the range of good strategies she uses with children. For example, distraction is used for the younger children. The childminder always explains to older children why

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and outcomes for children

their behaviour may be undesirable. Therefore, children have opportunities to learn to manage their own behaviour. 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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