Childminder in Medway

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY278121 Inspection date 09/08/2011 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children in Lordswood, Chatham, 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 walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a dog, two rabbits and goldfish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for three children in this age group. 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.

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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 needs and their well-being is effectively promoted. Overall most procedures are in place to support their welfare. The childminder actively works in partnership with parents and is building links with outside agencies. Children benefit from positive images of the world around them. They are making good progress in their learning. This means that their development is consistently promoted. The childminder demonstrates a good capacity for her future continuous improvement through self- evaluation. She consistently responds to the needs of all the users.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the system to ensure the essential records of minded children are assessable when on outings in case of emergency  develop a system to maintain details of evacuation drills in a fire log book. For example, specifying information of who took part in the emergency evacuation drill and details of any problems and how they were resolved.

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the early years provision

The childminder's effective safeguarding procedures actively promote the children's care and well-being at all times. She has a competent knowledge and understanding of how to safeguard children this makes sure their welfare remains This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 a priority. She has a good range of information in relation to child protection issues should she have any concerns about a child. The childminder holds a first aid certificate so children benefit from appropriate first aid care. A first aid box is available within the home and basic supplies are always taken when using the car or out walking. However, children's essential information is not always readily available outside the home in the event of an emergency. The childminder conducts risk assessments within the home, garden and for outings. She has made alterations to the risks identified at the previous inspection and has developed the

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the early years provision

Equality and diversity is promoted within the childminder's practice and she values every child as an individual. She makes sure each family is supported according to their particular circumstance. Subsequently, all children are treated with equal regard and no child is disadvantaged. The childminder is committed and strives to improve her practice in order to benefit the children she cares for. She actively promotes children's independence, their abilities and skills in partnership with the parents. The childminder describes how she is beginning to build links with other settings involved in the child's care. The toys, resources and equipment cover a broad range of activities. The childminder takes advantage of a variety of different equipment when she visits organised groups. Children have many opportunities to use a variety of different equipment. As a result, the childminder extends the resources to offer a variety of challenges for the children. All activities make sure

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the early years provision

that children's individual needs are met in order to encourage their development and progress. The childminder enables children to choose their preferred activities and involves them in routine experiences, such as setting up and tidying away. This means that children have good opportunities to freely choose activities.

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the early years provision

Resources are deployed well in order to make sure that this meets the individual needs of children. The childminder attends a range of courses to promote her knowledge and understanding of current child care practices. For example, completing a course on observations, assessments and planning. She is taking effective steps to make sure resources and the environment is sustainable. The childminder has a competent understanding of her role and has completed her self-evaluation form. She is developing systems to reflect and takes a critical look at her practice through self-evaluation. She is clear about the strengths and highlights areas for continuous improvement. The childminder ensures that parents have an input into the outcomes for their child. For example, she uses the child's contact diary and shares the learning and development records with parents. She is developing her links with the other settings to contribute towards promoting

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and outcomes for children

Children play outside daily in the fresh air. They eagerly use the trampoline carefully and are aware of the safety of other children. Children are excited as they use the paint brushes and soapy water to make marks on the decking or windows. Children are encouraged to enhance aspects of their abilities for self-care, such as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 going to the toilet or pouring their own drink. The childminder is motivated and has a consistent approach to raising children's awareness of being healthy. She discusses with the children what foods are good to eat and they are offered healthy choices, for instance, breadsticks and fruit is always readily available. Children are developing skills for the future and an insight of how to keep healthy. The childminder has good systems in place to promote a healthy lifestyle. Together the children describe how they cross roads safely, the daily routines for washing

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and outcomes for children

their hands and what they would do in an emergency. Nevertheless, some children are unfamiliar with aspects of the emergency evacuation drill. In addition, the childminder has not maintained details of evacuation drills in a fire log book. For example, specifying information of who took part in the emergency evacuation drill and details of any problems and how they were resolved. This means that not all children are familiar with the process to evacuate the premises in an emergency and there are no details of when fire drills have been practised.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a competent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements and effectively supports children's welfare and learning. The childminder uses the child's observations to make sure the planning is relevant to every child. These are evaluated and linked to the early learning goals. The childminder is beginning to complete a baseline assessment using the children's observations and together with the parents she produces a record of the child's current interests. However, she does not always gather each child's individual starting points and the baseline assessment is not in place for every child. Children respond well to the childminder's input and she is aware of their routines and signs of tiredness. This helps children develop a feeling of security and they seek comfort from the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate a close relationship with the childminder and enjoy being with her. They are secure, comfortable and settled. The childminder makes use of unplanned situations and successfully promotes children's individual ideas by asking questions which encourages them to solve problems. For example, as they negotiate who throws the ball or who holds the hoop in their ball game. The experiences, resources and provision of toys cover all areas of learning. Resources and storage containers are labelled with pictures and words to encourage independence and provide many opportunities for self selection. Children have many opportunities to increase confidence, independence, communication and problem-solving skills. The childminder is well organised and promotes an understanding of environmental issues. For example, children use recycled materials to make a model of a fish tank. Children's creativity is fostered and their

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and outcomes for children

art work is valued. This means that their self worth and self-esteem is effectively promoted. 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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