Childminder in Kent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY417086 Inspection date 29/03/2011 Inspector Cilla Mullane

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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 in a residential part of Broadstairs, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There are two steps leading into the house, and two steps in the back garden.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children aged under eight years at any one time, of whom one may be in the early years age range. She is currently looking after two children in the early years age range on a part time basis. She is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for children aged over five years, and has one child in this age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and attends parent and toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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

Children feel very safe and included, and behave well, as the childminder is caring and sensitive to their needs. They make satisfactory progress, as they enjoy their play, and the childminder offers appropriate support, but she does not yet use observations fully effectively to enable children to make maximum progress. Children's welfare is a priority, they are kept very safe, and they independently care for their own safety and hygiene. The environment is welcoming, with children's favourite toys readily available, and enjoyable activities planned, but they sometimes need to ask for other resources. The childminder works closely with parents and carers and respects their wishes for their children. The childminder has some good ideas to develop her provision, a few of which have been put into practice and therefore has a satisfactory ability to maintain improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 use systematic observations and assessments of children's achievements, interests and learning styles in all areas of learning to plan challenging, relevant and motivating play experiences for each child indoors and out, across all areas of learning and development  develop the environment to improve children's ability to choose their own toys and activities, and initiate their own play  develop the use of reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify strengths This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and priorities for development that will continuously improve the quality of the provision for all children .

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her childminding provision to a satisfactory standard. Her good knowledge of safeguarding procedures would enable her to take correct action should she have concerns. Thorough risk assessments are used to good effect to protect children from hazards, and all aspects of children's care are carefully considered, and hazards identified and eliminated. Therefore children are safe in the home and on outings.

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the early years provision

Since registration, the childminder has started to develop her practice. For example, she has bought new resources and she includes minded children in choosing new toys. She has identified areas where she needs support, for example, with using her observations of children to plan for their individual needs. She intends to build a sandpit in the garden where children can play with diggers. Although her plans are well targeted, they have yet to make a significant impact on outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder's practice is inclusive, and she meets the needs of each child to a satisfactory extent. The toys available are selected according to each child's interests and abilities, so all are involved and motivated. Older children are confident to request their favourite toys from the range available in other parts of the house, and the childminder is compiling a picture book so that all children can request activities and resources which are not set out.

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the early years provision

Parents report that they are happy with the childminder's friendliness and flexibility, and children enjoy their time with her. She treats them as individuals, meeting their various needs. The childminder uses a contact book to help maintain links with parents, recording useful information about food and toileting, as well as details of activities and achievements. She works very effectively with other agencies, so children receive good, consistent support. The childminder cares for children who are in the early years age range and who attend school. She maintains good links with the schools, so that she knows how well children are achieving, and can provide good consistency of care.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy learning through play, and the childminder knows their interests and gets out their favourite toys, such as Thomas and the train track. She has a general overview of their development, and works on areas where extra support is needed. Therefore children make satisfactory progress. She has not yet developed a system to use observations to plan for and assess individual children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development across all the areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy local outings, remembering a trip on the bus to the shops with pleasure. Therefore they are learning about their local community. Puzzles depicting their favourite cartoon characters hold their interest, they count twenty pieces and are able to complete fairly challenging puzzles by looking at the picture on the box. They learn about the world around them through activities such as making a Union Jack for the royal wedding party. The childminder supports children's speech and language development well, and children use their imaginations 'reading' books.

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and outcomes for children

Children are kind and caring towards younger children, knowing that the safety gate must stay closed, and spontaneously offering cuddles and comfort. The childminder models respect and god manners well, and as a result children say 'sorry' without a reminder. Children are motivated and eager to learn. They have good self esteem, and show pride in their achievements, holding up their picture and saying 'Ta-da!' The childminder encourages then to value their work by offering frequent praise. Children are confident and settled, showing that they feel safe in the childminder's care by snuggling into her lap when she notices they look tired, and invites them for a cuddle.

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and outcomes for children

Children are becoming very good at looking after their own safety and personal hygiene. They know what action they should take in the event of a fire, because the childminder discusses fire safety with them in a fun way. They show a good understanding or which exit to use, according to where the fire may be, and they know they should 'stop, drop and roll' if their clothes are on fire. In addition, they show an excellent awareness of how to stay safe on the roads, knowing that they must walk 'on the left by the wall'. The children understand how to avoid infection by washing their hands, stating that they need to wash their hands 'cos they've got germs on'. The childminder deals with minor accidents well, treating children calmly and kindly, distracting them and making them laugh, taking the correct action and keeping appropriate records to inform parents. Therefore children feel safe. 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 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 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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