Childminder in Medway

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY343560 Inspection date 18/03/2011 Inspector Linda Coccia

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder originally was registered in 1991. She re-registered in 2006. She has years of experience in working with children. She lives in with her adult children in Frindsbury, near Rochester, Kent. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.4

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 six children aged under eight years at any one time; of these, up to three children may be in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is currently minding three children all aged four years and are all within the early years age range. When working with an assistant she may look after up to six children in the early years age range; of whom two children may be under one year.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a pet cat.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is effective in providing a warm caring atmosphere for children which helps them to learn and achieve. Overall, the needs of the children are met. She has addressed the recommendation from her last inspection and has softened the structure of her provision to allow children much more freedom of choice. Overall, the childminder is able to demonstrate the continuous improvement of her service.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 use systematic observations and assessments of children's achievements, interests and learning styles to plan relevant and motivating play experiences for each child  share information about children's learning and development and any other relevant information with other setting practitioners when children attend several settings  strengthen the use of self-evaluation to identify strengths and prioritise improvements for development that will continuously improve the quality of the provision for all children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder uses good procedures to ensure children are safeguarded. All adults residing on the premises hold current Criminal Record Bureau checks. The childminder ensures that children's individual accident and medication records are well maintained. Her attendance record clearly shows children's individual arrival and departure times. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and holds up-to-date information. Her first aid certificate is current. This all shows that children's well being is promoted. The childminder has suitable procedures in place to evaluate her service. She considers children's views and comments made verbally by their parents. She has been able to vary the way she presents activities to children. However, she has not fully considered her own strengths nor the way in which she prioritises improvements to bring about changes to the outcomes for children. However, children have benefitted from

p.5

the early years provision

improvements because their views now are considered more. The childminder provides a good range of resources which allow individual children to use their imaginations and develop their own play scenarios. Through self initiated play children make good use of resources. The space within the room used for childminding is limited but it is organised well by the childminder.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder's good attitude towards equality and diversity mean that children learn about each other's differences. They talk about different festivals which reinforces the children's learning in other settings. The childminder has increased the range of positive images of race, culture and disability which children see every day. The childminder is able to challenge children's stereotypical views of gender to help children understand that everyone can have a go. Children learn that everyone is different. The childminder has suitable procedures in place to work in partnership with other settings that children attend. However, she does not have personal contact with them but relies on the input from the children and parents to advise her of their progress. She does have good procedures to engage with parents on a daily basis. She verbally exchanges information about the children's behaviour and demeanour each day and is good at affirming children's

p.5

the early years provision

achievements to their parents. Parents are very involved in their children's learning as they borrow books and other activities to do with their children at home. Children receive consistent care because regular discussions of their needs take place.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children arrive happy and ready to play. They smile and giggle as they tell the childminder of amusing events which have happened to them or members of their families. Children feel free to initiate personal conversations which show they feel safe with the childminder.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The children choose the toys they want to play with from the good range available This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 within the play room. They may choose stickle bricks for construction play or use the childminder's white board for drawings with felt pens. They may choose paper with pencils. They elect to use puzzles with numbers and shapes or letters of the alphabet. They work together with the childminder at matching games which she is able to adjust the rules for to cater for children's learning styles. They are able to use the available furniture to construct beds for hospitals or animal kennels for the soft toys visiting the vets. They discuss the seasons and the changes to the weather and construct wall pictures together. For example, the different fish that live in the sea and the different bugs that live in the garden. The childminder uses books to reinforce children's learning. Children enjoy music and dancing and can

p.5

and outcomes for children

operate the tape player. They have physical play in the garden when the weather allows. Throughout all of the activities children chatter to the childminder. They swap ideas. They often surprise the childminder with the different information they remember from previous sessions. Children are developing good skills for the future because they communicate well and have a good understanding of numbers. The childminder has a good understanding of how young children learn and develop. She is able to explain how she provides good activities suitable for each child's stage of development. She is able to identify their next steps. However, her activity planning is not always geared to the individual children. Overall, children have a good close, caring relationships with the child minder which helps them progress in their learning.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children eat food provided by their parents at snack and lunchtimes. The childminder advises parents of the types of food to provide which helps the children to eat healthily. Children know the types of food which are good for them as they have discussed them with the childminder. Parents provide sun hats and sun creams for outdoor play in the summer. The children have access to water throughout the day and understand how it is good for their bodies. Children are adopting a healthy lifestyle. The children play well together. They are eager to please the childminder and co-operate well in games and activities. They are interested learners who retain lots of information through their conversations. They know the childminder's simple house rules well and participate regularly in the childminders good emergency evacuation procedures. All children receive regular praise and encouragement from the childminder and have good behaviour affirmed

p.6

and outcomes for children

to others. As a result children have an enjoyable experience with the childminder where they develop confidence and self esteem. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8