Childminder in Kent

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 07/01/2013 21/03/2011

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 3 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder is very caring and supportive to the children. This results in children being content, settled and happy in her care.  Children behave well and readily share their toys with their friends.  Children make good progress in their learning and development as the childminder interacts well with them as they play.  The childminder has established good partnerships with parents. This enables them to work well together to provide consistent care and learning for individual children.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Children enjoy a variety of suitably challenging and interesting activities. However, it is not always easy for them to access resources themselves and make their own choices.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are scheduled:  at least once in every inspection cycle. The current cycle ends on 31 July 2016  more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged as inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage; or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised for inspection where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children taking part in activities indoors.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's assessment records, the planning and sampled other documentation.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents from information in the childminder's compliments book.  The inspector discussed practices with the childminder.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 1991. She lives with her husband and adult son. They live in a house in Tunbridge Wells near to shops, schools, parks and transport links. The whole of the ground floor and a first floor bedroom are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder has two cats.

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Information about the setting

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently minding four children in the early years age range. She also offers care to older children aged up to 11 years.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 improve the organisation of resources so that they are more easily accessible for all children.

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who attend

The childminder has effective observation and assessment systems that enable her to successfully identify the next steps in each child's learning and development. She then plans and provides fun activities that help each individual child to continue to make progress. The childminder relates well to children and is skilled at promoting their learning through play. As a result, children make good progress towards the early learning goals in relation to their starting points. They develop the skills they need to help their future learning.

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who attend

Parents are actively encouraged to be involved in their child's learning and to share what they know about their child. The childminder values their contributions and uses their views and ideas in her planning. The childminder keeps parents well informed about their child's progress. They regularly review the assessment records together and discuss children's achievements. The childminder is extending her ongoing assessments to include a robust progress check for two-year-olds.

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who attend

The childminder makes sure that she provides resources and activities that reflect a child's interests and meet their needs. This means that children enjoy their play and become absorbed in activities. Children thoroughly enjoy playing with simple technology. They have fun pressing the buttons to make the toy laptop work. They soon learn that if they turn the wheels and move the levers on other toys they can make different things happen. Children like to explore the dough. They show good coordination and control as they use the different rollers to make patterns in the dough.

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who attend

The childminder positively promotes children's communication skills. She introduces new words and encourages children to repeat them. Children confidently communicate with the childminder and other adults. They talk together about colours, numbers and outings they have been on. Babies babble and clearly indicate their wants and feelings as they play. Children enjoy looking at books with the childminder.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children form strong emotional bonds with the childminder and go to her for cuddles of reassurance, as needed. Children behave well and form good relationships with their friends. They have opportunities to extend their social skills when they meet with other childminder's children. They readily share their resources and play happily alongside others. Children concentrate well and enjoy the activities. They are developing well in the skills they need in preparation for school.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children display good levels of independence as they confidently move around the home. The childminder provides a good level of supervision while encouraging children to do things for themselves. She provides a good range of play resources for the children. However, due to the organisation of the toy storage, children have to ask for other toys that are not laid out for them. This means that they are not always able to make choices and initiate their own play independently.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder creates a stimulating indoor environment with various interesting posters and pictures for children to look at. She maintains a safe and secure home where children can move freely without coming to any harm. Children show a strong sense of belonging and security. They develop a good understanding of how to stay safe as they practise emergency evacuation. When they go on outings, they learn how to cross roads and safely use more physically challenging play equipment in the parks.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children develop a good understanding of the importance of having a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy healthy snacks and home cooked meals. Children help themselves to drinks when they get thirsty. They adopt good personal hygiene practices. The childminder shows them how to wash their hands properly. She reminds them of the need to put a hand in front of their mouth when they cough. Children enjoy daily fresh air and exercise. For example, they go on nature walks to look at the world around them and collect items of interest.

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provision

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures. She has recently attended child protection training so is clear about her role in safeguarding children's welfare. The childminder is fully aware of who to contact if she has a concern about a child. She undertakes daily safety checks and regular rigorous risk assessments. These enable her to effectively identify and minimise hazards to children. The childminder competently maintains all the required documentation.

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provision

The childminder shows a good understanding of how to meet the learning and development requirements. She informally reviews her practices and the learning experiences she provides on an ongoing basis. The childminder shows she has the capacity to sustain continuous improvement. She gets regular formal feedback from parents and uses it to improve her childcare provision. The childminder actively seeks to keep up to date with changes in the childcare field. For example, she made considerable effort to research and find resources to help her implement the revised Early Years Foundation Stage framework. The childminder has successfully met the actions and recommendations made at her last inspection. This has benefited children as, for example, the childminder has improved safety in the home and introduced a rigorous assessment system.

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provision

The childminder works very closely with parents to promote children's welfare and learning. She provides them with a comprehensive range of written policies so they know what to expect. The childminder obtains all the necessary information from parents so that she can give individual children the care and support they need to help them achieve. Parents' comments in a book state that they are 'delighted with the care and affection' the childminder provides. Another parent wrote that their child 'thoroughly enjoys his time' and that the childminder 'instilled a good routine' in children.

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provision

The childminder forms close links with agencies and other settings as needed so that they can work together to extend children's care and learning. The childminder is aware of the importance of seeking additional help when necessary to narrow any gaps in children's development.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

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Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 125726 Local authority Kent Inspection number 890948 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises that are usually their own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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