Childminder in Kent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY429578 Inspection date 15/11/2011 Inspector Beryl Witheridge

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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 2011. He lives with his wife and four children aged between two to 14 years in Gravesend, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time; of these, three may be in the early years age group. When working with another childminder they are registered for 10 children; of these five may be in the early years age group. He is currently minding seven children part time, of these four are in the early years age group. He also picks up and drops off 13 children to school on differing days and at different times. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler and childminding group. He is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 are treated according to their individual needs and they make steady progress in their learning and development. The childminder works in partnership with parents and has good relationships with other settings to ensure that children receive continuity of care. The childminder carries out observations of the children and these are linked to the areas of learning. However, children's next steps are not clearly identified to inform future planning and provide challenging experiences. The childminder safeguards the children appropriately as he thoroughly risk assesses the environment to reduce hazards and keep children safe. The childminder shows some capacity to maintain development; he identifies some areas in which he does well, but does not always use reflective practice to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the setting.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that children's next steps are being clearly identified and used in leading future planning  develop the use of the systematic observations and assessments of children's achievements, interests and learning styles to plan challenging and motivating play experiences for each child indoors and out, across all areas of learning and development  develop the use of reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will continuously improve the quality of the provision for all children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are well protected through the clearly written safeguarding procedures and supporting documentation. The childminder understands his role and responsibility to the children in his care. He ensures parents understand the procedures to be followed, if there were concerns, by providing them with a written copy of the policy. A very clear written risk assessment of the home and resources has been carried out with the actions taken to address issues and minimise risks recorded and dated. Children are supervised at all times to minimise any risk to them. All adults in the home have a clear Criminal Records Bureau check. Children take part in regular emergency evacuation procedures and learn how to cross the road safely, so they know how to keep themselves safe.

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the early years provision

The children play in a room which is suitably equipped for their use, as well as having access to a secure garden. The toys and resources are stored accessibly in the toy room, allowing children the opportunity to make free choices about their activities. The good range of toys and equipment are suitable and appropriate for the ages and stages of development of the children attending. Children are valued as individuals and treated with equal concern. The individual needs of every child and their family are addressed and the childminder promotes the specific needs of different children positively. Children learn about their local community and the wider world through outings and activities, which are aimed towards their level of understanding.

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the early years provision

The childminder has noted some areas of the setting where he does well, such as his organisational skills. He identifies areas of training he wishes to attend to improve his knowledge and understanding. However, he does not regularly evaluate the setting to identify the strengths and weaknesses; therefore, all the areas for future improvement are not clearly assessed. Parents are not fully involved in the self evaluation process. This reflects sufficient capacity for maintaining continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

Links with other settings involved in the care of the children are well established. The childminder talks to them about the children's development and shares their planning so he can provide good continuity of care. The childminder works in partnership with the parents and discusses the care of their child with them. The children's folders are shared with them. They are able to look at the photographs of their children taking part in activities, which are linked to the areas of learning. He is able to talk about what their children can do and how he helps them move forward. Information about the childminding service is shared with parents, both verbally and via clearly written policies and procedures; parents all have their own copy. All the required records and details of each child are kept, enabling the childminder to provide appropriate care for each child. 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 offers a warm and welcoming environment for children. Children benefit from a range of activities and resources that encourage and support their progress in different areas of learning. The observations of the children cover all areas of learning, but next steps are not clearly identified. This means activities do not always provide them with challenging experiences to help them move forward at their own pace. The childminder spends time talking to the children about what they are doing in both English and French. Children play happily with the childminder and the interaction between them is caring and mutually affectionate. The free access to the toys and equipment encourages children's independence. The childminder is constantly at the children's level, praising and encouraging at all times. The relationship between the childminder and children is close and comfortable. Children feel safe within the childminder's home and are very relaxed.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing awareness of how to maintain their own safety on outings, as they learn to cross the road. They have appropriate challenges as they climb on larger apparatus, when they are supported as they learn to assess and manage suitable risks.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder introduces children to healthy lifestyles through offering healthy food. Snacks include fruit, yoghurt and raw vegetables. Drinks are constantly available and offered throughout the day. This encourages children to develop healthy eating habits. Parents are provided with a sample menu, so they are aware of the food on offer to their children. Children take part in physical activities such as climbing on the climbing frame, riding in cars and on bicycles. They attend the toddler and carer group, the local parks and the childminding group, where they have access to more resources to develop their skills. The childminder follows good hygiene practice and explains what he is doing. This helps children learn the importance of good personal hygiene and provides them with a good role model to follow.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn about the wider world through visits to the local area and the shops. While on these trips the childminder talks to them about nature and the surrounding places of interest. Children develop awareness of technology through the use of computers. There are simple computerised toys which children are able to use competently. This is enabling children to start developing their skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well. They listen when the childminder is talking to them and follow his example. They work well together when building with the construction or playing with the cars, as they share and take turns well. Children are learning how to respect each other. 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 3 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 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 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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