Childminder in Kent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY276483 Inspection date 20/04/2011 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two children in Sittingbourne, Kent. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The bathroom is on the first floor level. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for four children in this age group on a part-time basis. 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. She is a member of an approved childminding network and is currently in receipt of funding for early education for three- and four-year-olds.

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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 has a good understanding of each child's individual need and consistently promotes their well-being. Overall there are processes in place for most of required records. The childminder has a good capacity to maintain her future improvement through self-evaluation. She takes a critical look at the priorities to highlight her continuous development. The childminder is continuing to further develop each child's learning and development records. This means that the childminder is aware of potential improvements and consistently responds to the needs of all its users. The effective partnership with parents contributes towards supporting the developmental needs for all children. This means that their welfare and development are consistently promoted. She describes her procedure to foster links with outside agencies. Children are making good progress and benefit from positive images of the world around them. They show signs of being

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

safe and are offered a broad range of exciting experiences as they play and learn in a secure homely environment.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop all children's understanding of the evacuation drills and record details of any problems and how they were resolved in a fire log book  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips  improve the process to gather information from all parents regarding This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's starting points and develop systems to make sure that children's next steps are being clearly identified and used in leading future planning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an effective understanding of safeguarding children and a competent knowledge of her policies and procedures, such as the process for complaints. There is a safeguarding child protection policy which complies with the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She has a good range of information to access should she have any concerns about a child. Her knowledge and understanding of how to effectively safeguard children ensures the welfare of every child is a priority. The childminder conducts risk assessments within the home and garden. Nevertheless, the information relating to risks for each type of outing is not recorded within the risk assessment report. Therefore, there are no details of how children are kept safe on outings or trips. The childminder describes together with the children aspects of how they keep safe, such as road safety, stranger danger or the processes for emergency evacuation. Children describe how they stop at the

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the early years provision

kerb and listen for traffic before crossing roads, but say they have not practiced a fire drill at the childminder's house. From the evidence not all children take part in practising fire drills and there is insufficient information in a fire log book as to the frequency of these emergency procedures. The childminder encourages all children to develop good social and communication skills and a positive awareness of diversity. This means that children have opportunities to develop their knowledge of the world around them and equality and diversity is promoted well. All children are treated as an individual and with equal concern. She values each family and supports them according to their particular circumstance. Subsequently, no child is disadvantaged.

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the early years provision

The childminder acquires all the required written permissions and can take action in the event of an emergency. Nevertheless, she does not always have children's essential information when on outings. The childminder is committed and strives to improve her practice in order to benefit the children she cares for. She has an action plan for her future improvements and uses self-evaluation well to highlight areas for her continuous development. The childminder works effectively with all the parents. They have completed a questionnaire and raised an area for future good practice. For example, the childminder is implementing a diary record system as a way to share useful information with the parents. The parents comment that they have complete confidence in the childminder's ability to look after their children to a very high standard. They observe that there are a wide variety of activities each day either in the home or through organised trips which supports

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the early years provision

children as they learn new skills. They further say that they are always informed of the plan for each day or if there are any issues which they should know about. The childminder actively promotes children's independence, their abilities and skills in partnership with the parents. She has effective procedures to build links with other settings or agencies. The childminder uses the space well to promote each child's learning potential. For example, resources and equipment are suitable for children of all ages and meets their individual stage of development. The childminder is motivated and has a competent understanding of her role. She is committed This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 towards improving her child care knowledge by attending relevant training courses to keep up to date.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is well organised and successfully supports children's welfare and learning. She has an effective knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. The childminder actively demonstrates her understanding of each child's stage of development in order to encourage them as they move forward in their ongoing progress. She provides an exciting and broad range of toys and experiences to make sure she covers all areas of learning. Resources which are stored in containers are labelled with pictures and words to develop children's self- help skills and to encourage independence. Although, the storage cupboards are not sufficiently labelled to make sure that there are opportunities to select resources which are not visible. Nevertheless, children are making good progress in their development and they are provided with many opportunities for self selection. Children are encouraged to be active and have many occasions to be

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and outcomes for children

outside in the fresh air every day as they free flow into the garden. This is effectively extended as the childminder organises the resources and activities so that they take place in the outdoor environment. The parents and the childminder discuss the child's individual needs, such as their current interests and routine. The childminder effectively records observations which are linked to the early learning goals. Nevertheless, children's starting points are not clearly used in the initial assessment and the system to identify the next stage of the child's progress and learning is not yet embedded. The childminder asks imaginative questions which encourage children as they develop communication and problem-solving skills as well as confidence and independence. Children's creativity is fostered and their art work is valued because this is displayed in the play room.

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and outcomes for children

Younger children display signs of feeling safe and seek comfort from the childminder. They respond well to the childminder's input and she is aware of their routines and signs of tiredness. All children demonstrate a secure and strong relationship and say they enjoy being with her. The childminder provides clear explanations, reassurance and cuddles to promote their sense of security. She has implemented an effective hand washing system to make sure that the risk of cross- infection is reduced to a minimum. Nevertheless, sometimes children are not reminded to wash their hands before eating finger foods. Children are offered healthy snacks so they know what foods are good for them. The childminder is promoting most aspects of a healthy lifestyle. Older children describe how they continue their learning from school. They extend their homework by using resources from the childminder in their project on another culture and country.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder describes how she uses this topic with all the children to promote their understanding of the wider world. She also explains how she helps the children to develop an awareness of recycling and how to use the different bins to separate the waste products. As a result, children gain knowledge of the importance of reducing their carbon footprint. 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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