Childminder in Kent

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 31/03/2014 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: Not Applicable 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 environments children use are stimulating, interesting and very well resourced, providing them with good play opportunities and experiences.  The childminder gives children her full attention at all times and interacts and supports them effectively.  The observation, assessment, planning and effective organisation of the setting, results in all children's individual needs being met very well.  The records and documents are very well kept, evaluative and effective in ensuring the smooth running of the setting.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The children's hand-washing routines are not consistently promoting the prevention of cross infection.

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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

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged 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 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  scheduled 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 held discussions with the childminder.  The inspector observed children and sampled relevant documentation.  The inspector provides feedback to the childminder.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2013. She lives with her husband and two children, one of whom is an adult, in Maidstone, Kent. The childminder works with another registered childminder at their address, also in Maidstone. The downstairs area of the premises is used for childminding. There is a secure garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are seven children in the early years age group on roll. The childminder can offer care to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. The childminder can walk to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The childminder also attends local toddler and childminding groups.

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

 review the hand-washing procedures to further ensure they help prevent the risk of cross infection.

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who attend

The childminder displays a very good understanding of all learning areas. She ensures the environments children use are stimulating and promote their independence. The childminder uses child-led and adult-directed activities to influence a flexible planning process. This helps her provide positive and interesting experiences and resources that all children can enjoy. Children's individual skills and development are given good attention. Children's learning journeys are in depth and show how well they are progressing in all areas. Their next steps are consistently monitored to ensure they are catered for effectively. The childminder is keen to promote children's personal, social and emotional needs as well as their communication and language skills. As a result, children can try out new activities and learn to do things for themselves. The childminder shows a good awareness of the importance of children's communication and language development,

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who attend

providing opportunities and activities to promote this. For example, she spends all her time with the children and is therefore able to stimulate their speech and listening skills throughout their play. The children are also developing a respect for others, by understanding how to take turns and share. Stimulating and age-appropriate outdoor play opportunities are available every day and local parks are visited frequently too.

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who attend

The childminder, along with her colleagues has developed a behaviour management policy. Strategies to manage children's behaviour have clearly been thought about carefully. This results in children learning how to manage their own feelings. They feel valued and respected as individuals.

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who attend

There are dedicated play areas for all children, depending on their age and abilities. The childminder always makes sure there is a good supply of toys and resources available, promoting all the learning areas. This includes a wide range of creative activities, including moulding dough, painting, printing and role play. The children always have opportunities to mark make. There are writing materials, brushes, crayons, water and sand play. The childminder also provides children with their own learning journey book. These contain photographs and written evaluations of their achievements. Parents are able to see these as often as they wish; they can also take them home to share with other members of their family. Children are clearly learning the skills they need to move on successfully to the next stage in their lives.

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

The co-childminder's home is used as the care setting and is child friendly and welcoming. The play areas are dedicated to providing many play opportunities and exciting activities, to promote every child's learning and development effectively. The childminder consistently gives good and appropriate attention to promoting children's welfare and well- being. This helps them to settle quickly, feel safe, and secure in the childminder's company and in the setting. The childminder recently undertook safeguarding training and there are clear processes in place to deal with any concerns she or any of the carers, may have about a child in their care. She has also attended a first aid course; this means that she has a sound knowledge about what to do to treat any minor injuries children might sustain. The owner of the setting and the childminder, have up to date risk assessment records. For example, the environments and resources children use are checked daily and

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

this minimises any hazards found. The childminder encourages the children in her care to be independent and respond to their own needs. For example, they can help tidy up and put on and take outdoor coats off. Accessible storage all around the play areas helps to ensure play resources and activities are all within children's reach, so that children can help themselves.

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

The childminder shows that she gives good attention to children's health. She provides and encourages parents to provide, balanced and nutritious options at meal and snack times. This helps children learn which foods are good for them. Children are able to develop physical skills every day. The childminder uses the well-resourced and extensive outdoor play area all year round and visits nearby parks and fields. This gives children the chance to run about, learn to climb and balance, promoting the skills they need for their future development.

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provision

The childminder shows that she has a good knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage and is able to implement them effectively. The setting has its own well-written policies to protect children while they attend setting. Thorough records and other documentation shows that the childminder gives good attention to helping children learn, develop and be safe in their play. The childminder works in a provision that is very well organised and she, the other childminder and assistants are able to provide for all the children's care and learning needs.

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provision

The observation records show that the childminder has a good awareness of how the children in her care learn and develop. Children's achievements are well documented, professional and are linked to their age and stage of development. Progress tracking shows children are doing well in all areas of learning. The childminder regularly and very effectively evaluates what she provides at the setting and for the children. She has developed a process that enables her to contribute to any changes required. These include adapting activities to suit children of varying ages and make the outdoor area safer for much younger children. The childminder's future plans for improvement include attending additional training. This allows her to learn and share information, to help keep herself and her childcare colleagues updated and take on board new ideas.

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provision

The numerous policies and procedures are well written and informative. They show how there is a commitment to the well-being, welfare and safety of the children attending the setting and those in her care. Parents receive copies of these to help make sure they are aware of the childminder roles and responsibilities. Parents sign consent forms where necessary. The childminder states that she encourages parents to be part of the service provided for their children. Parent's comments show they are very happy indeed with the care and opportunities available to their children. The childminder knows it is important to share information for children's continuity of care. As a result, there are effective systems in place, to establish communication with other provisions children also attend, to ensure further consistency in children's learning.

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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 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. 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

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Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. 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 EY465419 Local authority Kent Inspection number 936583 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection not applicable

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: 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, which are usually the childminder’s 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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