Childminder in Kent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY413686 Inspection date 06/01/2011 Inspector Jacquie Allen

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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 in Cullompton, Devon, with her 16 year old son who is registered as her assistant.The whole of the house is available for childminding, where toilet facilities are on both floors.There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years. There are five children on roll of whom four are in the early years age range. The childminder is a qualified teacher.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder's many years experience of teaching means that she has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This ensures all aspects are very effectively implemented to ensure children's individual needs are exceptionally well met. Self-evaluation is rigorous at identifying how she will improve the provision further, which ensures this is continuous and has a very positive impact on children's welfare, learning and development. Strong partnership working ensures every child receives consistent care and appropriate levels of support.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 review nappy changing procedures to further limit the risk of cross infection

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the early years provision

Safeguarding children is given high priority by the childminder who has attended appropriate safeguarding training. She is seeking an additional course on integrated working to improve her working practice and further protect children. A comprehensive safeguarding policy underpins her excellent knowledge and practice and additional reading is available for future referral. Risk assessments are very thorough and clearly identify actions taken to reduce potential hazards showing the childminder has implemented the knowledge gained from attending a course. Individual risk assessments for outings have also been carefully considered and steps taken to reduce any potential hazards, accidents or from losing a child. Emergency evacuation procedures are very clear and fire drills practised with the children and recorded, which greatly improves their safety. Documentation is very well organised to ensure that children's daily attendance, accidents and existing

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 injuries are routinely completed and parental consents obtained.

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the early years provision

Furniture, equipment and resources are all of high quality and suitable for the ages of children attending. For example, a safely enclosed standing stool supports children to reach the height of the kitchen worktop to help prepare food or wash dishes. The childminder has created a wonderful learning environment for children where they are encouraged to be independent and access resources of their choosing. A wide range of stimulating resources are organised in particular areas, so that babies can safely access appropriate toys and older children can move between play areas. For example, the sofa is turned around to create a snug, cosy area for reading where books are attractively displayed to encourage children to read and there are set areas for role play, interest areas, musical resources and mark making. The childminder ensures these reflect diversity to increase children's awareness and understanding of the differences within society. Children's

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the early years provision

individual needs are exceptionally well recognised and met by the professional, warm and caring childminder, who equally divides her time between children, within the inclusive environment.

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the early years provision

The childminder recognises the importance of working in partnership with parents and other providers. She has gained parents' permission to visit other provision where children attend to observe them in a different environment and encourage effective channels of communication. She also encourages home visits so that she gets to know the child's family and gain vital information to help her meet their individual needs. Verbal communication and communication books are used to update parents on a daily basis and children's individual records shared to encourage their involvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder continually evaluates her provision. She has booked her assistant on safeguarding training and made enquiries to start training towards the Early Years Professional Status. She has already made lots of improvements to the garden area by hanging musical chimes and threading plastic balls at a low-level for children to explore, but also intends to create a wooded area for older children to encourage them to make dens.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very settled and confident within the childminder's attentive care. Daily routines are well organised and allow for children's individual needs to be met. They have excellent opportunities to explore the exciting environment and self select from available resources and activities. The childminder talks to children calmly and gently with positive facial expressions which encourages children to feel safe and secure. Children watch her attentively and copy what she does as they feed the doll and change it's nappy, talking and gurgling to the doll throughout. Gentle music plays in the background which helps to create a calm, harmonious atmosphere. Children sing along to the nursery rhymes and bounce happily in time to the music. The childminder displays the alphabet, numbers and laminates This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 pictures with numbers at a low-level so children can use these effectively to count

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and outcomes for children

and identify letter sounds. Children show their understanding of number as they routinely count the grapes on each bunch they are offered. The childminder is extremely skilled at interacting with all children at the same time, varying what she does to meet their individual stage of development. She is very competent at recording children's achievements and routinely planning the next steps to ensure they make continuous improvement in all areas of learning. She is practiced at assessing children's stage of development and routinely planning sufficient challenges based on their interests. As a result children's individual records store a wealth of knowledge on their achievements and show their excellent progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and safety is exceptionally well promoted through everyday routines. Children are provided with healthy foods, such as chicken and vegetable stew with couscous and fresh fruit and yoghurt. The childminder discusses why fruit needs to be washed, encourages effective hand washing before eating and after toileting and ensures children spend time in the fresh air on a daily basis. However, although she is a very positive role model for the children and washes her hands before and after changing nappies, she does not use disposable gloves to further reduce the risk of cross infection. Children show a strong sense of security as they play in a safe, secure environment and participate in fire drills to increase their awareness of keeping themselves safe. Children's behaviour is exemplary as the childminder encourages children to value and respect each other. Children develop excellent early skills as they explore their surroundings as active

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and outcomes for children

and inquisitive learners. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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