Childminder in Medway

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 31/10/2014 24/11/2009

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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

 Children are happy and they form secure bonds with the childminder, which effectively supports their emotional development.  Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a secure knowledge of the steps to take in the event of concerns about children's welfare.  The childminder plans stimulating activities to promote children's learning and development across all areas. She provides a good variety of resources and effectively uses these to support children's learning.  The childminder and parents work effectively together in partnership. They share information and work together well to meet the care and learning needs of the children.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder does not always maximise opportunities to share information with other settings children attend to enhance the continuity of their care and learning.

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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 had a tour of the areas of the childminder's home used for childminding.  The inspector observed children during play activities and at meal times.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of the childminder's and other adults living in the home suitability.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at documentation, including records of children's development, and policies and procedures used for the care of the children.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2009. She lives with her husband and four children in Rochester, Kent. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom of the childminders homeis used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed area for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently twelve children on roll, of which six are in the early years age group. Children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The family has pet dogs and cats.

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

 strengthen existing partnership with other settings that children attend to further promote continuity of their learning and development.

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who attend

Children are settled, happy and confident in the childminder's home environment. The childminder is attentive to their individual needs. She provides a good range of resources and experiences to support children's learning and development. There is a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated play, which supports children in their future learning. For example, children develop their small muscles and control and coordination during a cooking activity, using their hands to explore different textures.

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who attend

The childminder has a good knowledge of how to promote the learning and development of the young children. For example, she focuses on supporting their communication and language, physical skills and personal, social and emotional development. This helps children to build their skills well to support their ongoing progress in readiness to move onto other areas of learning and eventually to school. For example, regular trips to local toddler groups support children to develop their social skills with children of the same age. In addition, the childminder plans regular trips to the park and nature walks to the woods. This provides opportunities for children to learn about natural world and observe changes to the environment.

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who attend

The childminder effectively observes and assesses children's learning, which enables her to plan accurately for their individual needs. She provides stimulating and engaging activities in line with children's current interests and identified next steps in learning. As a result, children are making good progress. This means children are working within the typical range of development expected for their age and stage of development. The childminder has a good understanding of the required progress check for children aged between two- and three-years-old. She has devised a written summary to share with parents.

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who attend

The childminder works closely with parents regarding children's learning and regularly shares information with them about their children's learning. For instance, parents receive daily feedback about their children's day and activities. In addition, parents have regular opportunities to meet with the childminder to discuss their children's progress, including viewing their learning file. This encourages parents to support their children's learning at home.

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

The childminder establishes strong relationships with children, who demonstrate a secure attachment to her. Parents share information with the childminder during settling in visits. For example, children's special interests, favourite food, any dislikes and their daily routines. The childminder uses this information to support children's individual needs effectively. This supports their emotional well-being and results in them gaining confidence and self-esteem.

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

The childminder provides the children with healthy snacks and meals and they have regular access to drinking water. The childminder encourages children to be independent and to manage their own personal hygiene. For example, they are encouraged to wash their hands before cooking activities and mealtimes. Children benefit from fresh air and exercise, and learn about the world around them as the childminder takes them on outings to nearby parks and walks in the community. As a result, children are active and eat well to develop their good understanding of the importance of healthy lifestyles.

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

Children's behaviour is good. The childminder has effective behaviour management strategies. She treats all children with respect and uses lots of praise and encouragement to promote their self-esteem. The childminder teaches children to share toys, and the older children support the younger children well through activities. This all contributes to children feeling emotionally secure, so they are prepared well for the next stage in their learning.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her roles and responsibilities to safeguard children. She has undertaken safeguarding training and knows what to do if she had concerns about a child in her care. As a result, children are kept safe from harm.

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provision

The childminder has comprehensive risk assessments to ensure all areas are checked and remain safe for children. There are also thorough risk assessments undertaken for all outings. The childminder regularly reviews all risk assessments, which promotes children's safety effectively.

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provision

The childminder has a secure understanding of meeting the learning and development requirements and implements these effectively. She monitors children's progress securely, recognises how they learn and understands their individual stage of development well. The environment is stimulating and toys and equipment are stored at a low level. The childminder uses labels and pictures to help ensure that children of all ages can independently select what they want to play with.

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provision

The childminder shows a good awareness of how to continuously improve her service. She reflects on her practice through a clear self-evaluation process. She identifies what she does well and areas for development. She gathers the views of parents through regular discussions. The childminder evaluates her observations on the children to identify any gaps in their learning. This helps her to provide any further support or challenge to close any gaps in children's achievements.

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provision

The childminder has good partnerships with parents. She ensures she keeps parents fully informed about their children. However, the childminder does not always share information about children's learning with other settings they attend to promote a consistent approach to supporting their learning needs.

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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 EY390828 Local authority Medway Towns Inspection number 844655 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 12

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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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