Childminder in Kent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY360662 Inspection date 08/11/2011 Inspector Sue Taylor

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and eight years in Kennington, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and bedrooms for sleeping. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a cat, fish and two guinea pigs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently minding five children in the early years age range, in part time places. She is also registered by Ofsted on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register to provide care for children aged eight years and over.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for one child aged under eight years overnight. The childminder collects children from the local school and attends toddler groups on a regular basis. She has a relevant National Vocational Qualification at level 3 obtained in April 2011.

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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 provides a safe and welcoming environment for children, ensuring their individual care needs are met well. Children make good progress in their learning, although the monitoring of their development is less effective. Overall, effective relationships with parents and others support children's ongoing progress. The childminder has a good awareness of her strengths and readily identifies areas to improve. She shows a positive attitude towards continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 strengthen processes to show how well children are progressing, improving the monitoring of their progress to show how any achievement gaps are identified and narrowed  encourage greater involvement from parents in supporting their child's learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The environment is safe and secure with; for example, a safety gate at the stairs and kitchen cupboard safety catches, enabling children to explore. The childminder has a secure awareness of safeguarding children. Effective procedures are in place for identifying any child at risk of harm and liaising with the appropriate child agencies. All required records are in place and well maintained. The childminder demonstrates a good awareness and commitment to promoting children's safety.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very enthusiastic about supporting children's ongoing learning. Information gained during her recent training course helps ensure children are continually encouraged to develop and progress. The childminder has a good awareness of her strengths and areas to develop. Following the recommendation at her last inspection, she practises regular fire evacuation drills with children.

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the early years provision

A well stocked room offers a wide choice of good quality resources for children that the childminder uses well. The positioning of the room; however, does limit free choice for all children. As a result, the childminder plans the use of resources for variety and is very aware of children's favourites and interests. Use of the libraries and toddler groups provides additional experiences for children. The childminder adequately promotes equality and diversity and tackles unfair discrimination. The childminder is aware that there are not many resources that help children gain an awareness of diversity in the wider world. She supplements this with library books and recently created a matching game using positive images of people with disabilities. Outcomes for individual children are good. However, measures taken to identify and narrow any achievement gaps in their learning, from their starting points, are not well-established.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with others supporting individual children are well established and make a strong contribution to children's achievement and well-being. The childminder regularly liaises with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage where this is required for individual children, to ensure their progression and continuity of learning and care. A highly positive relationship with parents exists and they are well informed about their child's day from the communication book and discussions. This helps ensure that each child's care needs are fully met. The childminder shares detail about children's learning across the areas of learning and welcomes input from parents. However, they are not fully encouraged to support their child's next steps at home. Some very useful information about the Early Years Foundation Stage is available. This helps parents understand how their child's ongoing progress is promoted.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children's learning well within the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is very involved with encouraging children's progress and at promoting This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 positive attitudes to learning. Her planning of resources and activities help ensure that every child is suitably challenged by the learning experiences provided. The 'All About Me' information she gains from parents, when children start, enables her a quick awareness of their likes and next steps. Observations she makes as children play help in the continued identification of their next steps. Children are becoming active and curious learners. As a result, they gain the skills they need in order to secure their future learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children confidently make choices about their play from the available resources and young children begin to show sustained involvement. The childminder supports children well as they develop an early enjoyment of books and stories. She enables good communication skills with open-ended questions that encourage young children to think and respond. Suitable challenges such as using scissors and cutting help young children progress. Good quality interactions with children and well organised routines help young children to become secure and confident. They learn to keep themselves safe as they practise fire evacuations and road safety.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides healthy snacks and meals. Children enjoy fresh fruit and there drinks are always close at hand. Young children follow good personal hygiene routines as they know how to wash their hands well before eating. Children's individual health, physical and dietary requirements are being met well. A strong sense of belonging and security develops and children appear settled and happy. They show positive levels of self-esteem and build strong relationships with the childminder and other children. The childminder manages children's behaviour positively and as a result they behave well. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 keep a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard the children being cared for from abuse or neglect (Arrangements for safeguarding children) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 16/11/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Arrangements for safeguarding children). 16/11/2011

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