Childminder in Medway

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY429059 Inspection date 14/12/2011 Inspector Chris Hodge

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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 June 2011. She lives with her husband and toddler in a semi-detached house in Welling in the London Borough of Bexley. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, together with one bedroom on the first floor. An enclosed garden is available for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years, of whom two may be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for two children in the early years age group. The childminder holds a degree in Childhood Studies. She attends local toddler groups and 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is extremely professional in all aspects of her practice. She uses her extensive knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure that children are provided with a wide range of stimulating activities and experiences to enhance their learning. Strong partnerships with parents enable her to meet children's individual needs highly successfully. Overall, the childminder has highly effective systems for self evaluation and is totally committed to continually improving outcomes for 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?

 reviewing and developing the systems for self-evaluation in order to maintain high quality practice.

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the early years provision

Children are kept safe because the childminder is very professional and conscientious in her organisation of all aspects of her provision. She is extremely well informed about child protection issues and attends regular training to ensure her knowledge is kept up-to-date. A comprehensive safeguarding policy and information folder ensure that parents are fully informed of her role and responsibility for recording and reporting any concerns. Rigorous risk assessments for her home, garden and outings ensure that possible hazards are identified and necessary action is taken to keep children safe. The childminder holds a valid first This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 aid certificate and all adults living on the premises have been appropriately vetted. All required documentation is in place and is maintained to a high standard.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is extremely well-organised. The extensively resourced and stimulating play room and outside play area are rich in a vast array of posters, pictures, symbols, labels and photographs. Both play areas are set out with activities that cover the six areas of learning and provide children with excellent opportunities to make choices about their play. The childminder welcomes all children into her home and actively promotes inclusion through her comprehensive policies and wide range of activities and resources that help children to learn about diversity. She develops excellent relationships with parents and works in partnership to ensure that children settle well and are provided with consistency and continuity in the care and learning. New parents are provided with comprehensive information about her provision. Their views are sought through discussions and questionnaires which offer extremely positive feedback.

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the early years provision

Information about children's care and progress is regularly shared in two way contact books, through discussion, and emails and at open evenings. Photographs and children's art work also provide parents with examples of what children have been doing and of their progress. None of the children currently attend other settings but the childminder has lots of previous experience of working with other early years professionals.

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the early years provision

The childminder is using her extensive childcare experience and knowledge to provide a very high standard of care to the children she minds. She has attended many childcare courses to help her provide exceptionally good outcomes for children. Areas for future development are identified through rigorous monitoring and self-evaluation. For example, the childminder is planning on making an allotment in the garden next year so children are able to see how vegetables and flowers are growing. Ongoing self-evaluation and implementation of her plans will further enhance outcomes for children. She regularly attends training and also meets with other childminders to share good practice.

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and outcomes for children

Children make rapid strides in their learning and development in relation to their starting points. The childminder observes them closely and plans activities with care. She maintains an individual record of each child's development, showing their abilities, progress rate and areas needing further assistance. She makes highly effective observations for each child. She analyses these every term to see what areas of improvement are needed and if the child is moving on. Daily routines include an excellent balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities and include both indoor and outdoor play covering the six areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

The high quality adult interaction and exemplary organisation of routines help babies and very young children gain an exceptionally strong sense of security and belonging. They enthusiastically engage in activities and eagerly make choices about what they want to play with. They are secure in the knowledge that the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder is always on hand to join in and to provide comfort and support when required. They relish playing in the stimulating and well equipped garden. For example, they have great fun feeding the birds, searching for insects and exploring with sand and water. The excellent range of visual displays which include colourful pictures of objects, animals, numbers and letters encourage children's language skills. The childminder constantly talks to children and takes time to encourage their responses. Children have access to a good range of books, many of which are

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and outcomes for children

in different languages. They enjoy looking at books and sitting with the childminder to listen to their favourite stories.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities for mark making and to be creative using a variety of resources including sand, gloop and shaving foam. They have great fun developing their imaginations using small world resources and playing in the well- equipped role play area. They particularly like choosing different objects from a sack and then singing the relevant song that goes with the object. For example, they choose the small red bus and sing 'The Wheels on the Bus'. The childminder uses this time to help children learn to take turns. Children have access to an extensive range of puzzles, construction resources and cause and effect toys for problem solving and exploration. They learn to count and to recognise colours, numbers, letters and shapes throughout their play. They socialise with other children at various groups and enjoy regular outings to parks and the library to help them to develop an understanding of the wider world. When out with

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and outcomes for children

children, the childminder teaches them about road safety and at home they learn about staying safe through various routines and activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles by learning excellent personal hygiene routines, such as hand washing after playing in the garden, after going to the toilet and before meal times. Pictures in the bathroom act as reminders to children and liquid hand gel, baby wipes and tissues are constantly available in the play room. Children are encouraged to play outside in the fresh air on a daily basis and take part in regular physical activity. This help them develop their large motor skills and to recognise the benefit of exercise. They are offered healthy choices of snacks and meals and meal times play an important part in their learning. The childminder sits and eats with them to create a social occasion and to act as a good role model. She encourages positive behaviour by setting clear and consistent boundaries and using visual displays to help children understand. She constantly praises children's achievements and encourages them to be

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and outcomes for children

independent and sociable. As a result children are happy and confident and develop a wide range of skills to support their future learning. 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 3 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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