Childminder in Medway

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 09/10/2014 16/09/2010

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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 provides a welcoming, child-friendly and well-resourced environment, which supports children's learning and development.  The childminder gives good attention to the children and plans effectivley to meet their individual needs.  The childminder organises her childminding service very well and has clear and well kept records.  The childminder displays a commitment to her own professional development, to ensure the improvement of the quality of care and learning she provides.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder does not fully encourage parents to share information regarding their children's learning and achievements at home, to support their progress.  There is no menu supplied by the childminder, so that parents can know in advance, what foods are planned for their children's snacks and meals.

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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 throughout the inspection.  The inspector observed the children and sampled relevant documentation.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector provided feedback to the childminder and her early years support co- ordinator.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Chatham, 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 on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is currently minding two children in the early years age group. The childminder also care for older children. The childminder wallks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local toddler groups. The family has a pet dog.

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

 build on the partnership with parents to further promote children's learning

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

 consider providing menus so parents are able to see in advance what foods are offered to their children and to balance it with what is given at home.

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who attend

The childminder is an experienced and qualified childcarer, which means that she has a good understanding of how children learn through play. She has a dedicated play room which contains a wide range of interesting and age appropriate choice of activities and toys. The childminder knows children benefit from being able to choose what they want to do from stimulating resources. She encourages children to try different activities, to help further develop their personal, physical and communication skills.

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who attend

Before children start with her, the childminder ensures she obtains relevant and important details about each child from parents. This includes information about their personal background and individual needs. She also finds out what stage children are at in their development, for example, crawling or walking, feeding themselves and what they enjoy playing with. This enables her to plan for children's next steps in their development from the start. The childminder carries out evaluative observations at regular intervals and these help with her planning and ensure she can provide challenging and appropriate daily activities. The childminder uses both child and adult-led activities to promote children's learning and development. The childminder makes time every day to discuss the children's routine with their parents. Children's progress and development records are available for parents to view at any time. However, the childminder does not always encourage parents

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who attend

to regularly contributing to these, by providing information about what their child has achieved at home. This does not enhance consistency in children's learning at all times.

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who attend

Children enjoy the interaction they have with the childminder. They respond positively to her as they learn and repeat the names of the colours and objects in a picture they are colouring in. The childminder gives good attention to children's speech and listening skills. There are a good variety of resources to extend young children's learning, for example, shape sorters and building bricks as well as trains and cars. This supports children's physical, creative and imaginative skills. The childminder promotes children's personal, social and emotional development effectively, for example, as she encourages all children to play together, share and help each other.

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who attend

The well-resourced outdoor area is available for use daily and all year round. There is age appropriate climbing and balancing equipment that children can use safely, helping to develop their physical and social skills. Children are also able to benefit from regular visits to local toddler and childminding groups, where they have access to further stimulating activities. For example, painting and craft play, sand and water, which promote children's imagination and creativity well. The childminder makes good use of the activities children show an interest in, encouraging their speech and listening skills. For instance, children show real enjoyment as favourite stories are read out loud with them. The childminder plays with the children at their level and interacts very well with them. She is very skilled at encouraging them to communicate with her, promoting their language and social development. Children are clearly pleased and proud when the childminder praises them,

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who attend

which supports their self-esteem and confidence.

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

The childminder provides a child-friendly and homely space for children to play in. Children clearly feel at ease with the childminder, even new starters have quickly bonded with her. The childminder ensures she gives them lots of attention to help them settle. She displays skills and experience in promoting children's welfare and well-being. The children look to the childminder to join in with their chosen activities; this shows how secure and safe they feel in her company. The childminder is always happy to comfort children if they need or want it. She shows dedication to promoting children's independence and teaches and encourages them to respond to their own needs. The childminder ensures she provides toys and activities that interest them, such as cars and a garage, building blocks, craft and mark making materials; as well as plenty of opportunities to play outdoors. She encourages them to help themselves by allowing them to choose what activities they want

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

to do and explore and extend their own play. The childminder is consistent in her praise of the children in their achievements and this promotes their feelings of pride and confidence in what they do.

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

The childminder provides children's drinks, snacks and meals. She prepares nutritional, balanced foods, to help promote healthy eating. However, there is no menu available to inform parents which foods she provides. The childminder ensures children are developing a good awareness of a healthy lifestyle and effective hygiene practices. She has also attended a recognised first-aid course and, as a result, the childminder shows a good understanding about how to treat minor injuries children might sustain. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments, which means that children's play environments remain suitable and free from hazards. Children show they enjoy being in the childminder's company and it is clear the children have bonded well with her. They look to her for guidance and show they trust her.

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

The childminder has high expectations of the children, for example, she expects them to listen when she is telling them something helpful. She has positive strategies in place to manage individual children's behaviour. It is clear the children feel respected and valued by the childminder as she carefully and individually encourages them to achieve what they want to.

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provision

The childminder displays a good knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and implements them well. Every early years child has a learning journey folder, where the childminder keeps her recorded observations. These are also supported with photographs. The childminder's written assessments of children's progress are evaluative and are linked in to their individual stage of development. These show how children are progressing well and achieving in all areas of learning. The childminder also identifies each child's next steps and follows these up, resulting in effective monitoring of any specific learning needs.

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provision

The childminder has developed effective and focussed written procedures. These include safeguarding and complaints. The childminder displays a good knowledge and understanding of what she would do if she had any child protection concerns about a child in her care. There are well-written safeguarding policies and procedures that confirm her childminding role and support her responsibilities. These help to ensure she promotes children's welfare and well-being. The childminder is well organised in her provision and this benefits all the children who attend. She also uses an efficient process to help her reflect and self-evaluate her childminder service, so she is able to make any changes required. These include her intention to introduce more computer based activities and interactive toys. The childminder aids her own professional development by attending relevant workshops and has recently achieved a Level 3 qualification in child care. This

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provision

means she is able to keep up to date with current practices, for example, exploring new and interesting play opportunities for children.

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provision

The childminder encourages parents to comment about the service she provides. They say how pleased they are with their children's progress since being with the childminder. Parents have provided signed consents for various aspects of their children's care and learning, for example, emergency medical treatment if required. The childminder shows she has a strong commitment to continue with improving the processes she already has in place, such as focussing on children's well-being and involvement. The childminder is able to prepare children well for the next stage in their 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. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of 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

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. 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 EY336331 Local authority Medway Towns Inspection number 815174 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10

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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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