Childminder in Medway

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY358331 Inspection date 21/11/2011 Inspector Susan Scott

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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 partner and two school aged children in Strood, Rochester, Kent. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years register, as well as the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of six children may be cared for at any one time. Of these, three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding three children in this age group. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children, and attends local toddler groups. The family has two rabbits and a cat.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children receive an excellent service which is skilfully adapted to meet their individual needs. They benefit from extremely good, sensitive support and are each valued and respected. This enables them to thrive in the childminder's care, and make excellent progress in their learning. Children's individuality is nurtured by the childminder who plans meticulously according to their development, interests and abilities. Children benefit from the highly effective systems, policies and procedures which promote close relationships with parents, overall. The childminder evaluates her service extremely well, demonstrating sustained continuous improvement which significantly promotes the learning and welfare of all children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 strengthening the effective communication with parents and carers by ensuring the policies and procedures for example, on complaints, clearly reflect current practice at the setting.

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the early years provision

All aspects of the childminder's service are outstanding. Children's welfare and learning is given very high priority because the childminder has considerable expertise which she uses to good effect. She has an excellent understanding of her responsibilities to protect children's welfare and regularly updates her safeguarding This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 skills and understanding. For example, she has recently achieved a level four certificate in this subject. Children are effectively protected by the childminder's meticulous supervision, and benefit from extensive and accurate record keeping. For example, there are clear comprehensive risk assessments which ensure that the children are kept safe inside and outside the home during every activity. The childminder has excellent policies and procedures which she provides on a compact disk for parents to keep. These are all helpful, relevant and clear, although the

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the early years provision

unused complaints procedure and record refers to previous recommendations and has not been updated. This has minimal impact on the service as no complaints have been received. There are effective measures in place to deal with emergencies; for example, children are well versed in evacuations and know where to assemble safely out of danger.

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the early years provision

The childminder has well-organised resources which are freely accessible to children, enabling them to choose which toys and resources appeal to them at any time. One particular strength is the childminder's ability to use her resources to suit the needs and interests of individual children as she plans systematically and successfully covers all aspects of children's development. Children confidently access a variety of safe areas in the well-maintained home and garden. For instance, children particularly enjoy interesting activities outside, enabling their health to thrive and the garden areas are planned to ensure their safety. The childminder has reflected on her service and has used the self-evaluation form to review her practice. She identifies areas for improvement that will benefit the children most. For instance, she has designed a variety of records to share detailed information with parents and enable them to contribute their ideas and thoughts

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the early years provision

about the quality of her service. Previous recommendations have been addressed successfully and the childminder is motivated to provide families with high quality experiences.

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the early years provision

The childminder discusses and understands the varied needs of all the families whose children she cares for. She provides activities which meet every child's individual needs and there are meticulous plans and a extensive use of positive images represented in the resources she provides and uses with children. This develops children's understanding of diversity and differences successfully. The partnership with parents is excellent. Parents are welcomed into the childminder's home and their children's individual needs are thoroughly discussed and noted on well designed records; this information is used to enable them to settle well and experience well adapted activities. Children are well supported by the childminder who gains parents' confidence and skillfully encourages their feed back. Children benefit from the proactive systems to share information about their needs and the childminder has contact with a range of provision and professionals who work with

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the early years provision

children. This means that pertinent information is shared and children's welfare is a priority. The childminder has an exceptional variety of records which she uses to inform those who share the care of children and this has a positive impact on children's experiences and learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an extensive understanding of the children's needs and it is very evident that children are making excellent progress in her care. She has developed a comprehensive system to record information that notes children's development and consistently identifies their next steps in learning. The accurate records of observations and assessments refer to the Practice Guidance for the Foundation Stage and she uses these to plan effectively. Children's records are extensive and the childminder continually reviews the development of individual children, successfully ensuring that activities continually cover all aspects in each area of learning. For instance, children are closely observed when they attend activity groups and the childminder varies the groups she attends to make sure they are well stimulated.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder skilfully organises appealing activities based upon the interests of each child and encourages their play and her use of resources to reflect these preferences. For example, children have made mobiles to assist in their counting skills and used images of animals that hibernate to reinforce their understanding of the seasonal topic of autumn. Children experience stimulating play and learning through the varied and well-supported activities. For example, the childminder provides a selection of favourite trains and encourages the building of a long track, all the time modeling language and building on vocabulary to increase children's language. This enables children to build upon their communication skills and boosts their confidence as it is obvious their contribution is valued. Children enjoy opportunities to involve the childminder in their play and take the opportunity to grasp her hand while she is talking and take her to the toys they want her to play

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and outcomes for children

The childminder enables children to build upon their understanding of personal safety by involving them in evacuations and ensuring they know where to wait outside in safety. Children experience practical activities that are highly appropriate to their development. For instance, they have planted seeds, observed plants growing and they enjoy discussing the tomatoes that are growing which they childminder uses to illustrate and encourage healthy eating. Children's contributions are constantly sought and they take an active part in the activities and discussions due to the purposeful encouragement of the childminder. For example, they participate in a topic about dental care and learn from a very early age about the importance of nourishing foods and healthy habits. Children have regular access to fresh air and exercise in the garden, and enjoy frequent outings, for example, to the local activity groups. The children develop their social skills as

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and outcomes for children

a result and have learned how to share their toys and behave well. They are used to praise which encourages them to contribute to the play and activities and feel good about their achievements. This positive reinforcement encourages them to build their skills and behave very positively.

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and outcomes for children

Children's knowledge and understanding is continually extended and challenged through the childminder's excellent planning. This offers children opportunities to learn about their environment and the area they live in. For example, they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 participate in a variety of trips and outings, including some that involve train travel and they learn what their rail tickets are used for. This refines their understanding and the wide ranging plans and activities constantly challenge and stimulate children's thoughts, enabling really significant progress to be made. They build upon their understanding of their community and the roles of adults when they visit the local children's centre and school. Children enjoy listening to various types of music and looking at books with the childminder. Their mathematical skills are securely developed through practical activities so they explore and learn about,

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and outcomes for children

numbers, size and colours when they use the varied resources and make items such as mobiles to take home. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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