Childminder in Kent

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 02/12/2014 15/11/2011

p.1

early years provision

This inspection: 3 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 3 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 3

p.1

This provision requires improvement

 Children make good progress in their learning and development because activities meet children's interests and stages of development.  There are strong partnerships with local nurseries and schools, which ensures that children have consistency in their care and learning.  The childminder demonstrates a suitable understanding of his role and responsibility with regard to child protection issues.  Children are happy and settled in the setting and have formed secure attachments with the childminder who is attentive to their needs.

p.1

It is not yet good because

 The childminder does not record details of any medication administered to children.  Children are not fully supported to develop their early writing skills as there is a limited range of resources.  Children are not fully protected from risk of cross-infection when drying their hands.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of required qualifications and suitability and discussed the childminder's self-evaluation and reflective practice.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector talked with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled documentation, such as policies and procedures and attendance, medication and accident records.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector took into account the views of parents through written questionnaires and comments on progress records.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to the childminder about the progress of children and how he uses his observations to develop appropriate next steps for individual development.

p.2

Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2011. He lives with his wife and four children in Gravesend, 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 works alongside his wife who is also a registered childminder. There are currently 14 children on roll; of these five are in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

p.3

must:

 keep a written record each time any medicine is administered to a child.

p.3

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

 improve hand drying procedures to promote children's well-being further

p.3

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

 develop the range of different mark-making resources available to support children's early writing skills.

p.3

who attend

The childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of how children learn and develop and uses this knowledge to provide resources and activities to promote learning according to children's individual ages and stages. The childminder is aware of the different areas of learning and provides activities to promote these within his home setting and on outings in the local community. He records observations of the children while they play and uses this information effectively to make accurate assessments of where children are in their individual development and how they can be supported further. This helps each child to make good progress from their initial starting points.

p.3

who attend

The childminder supports children well during play activities and in the general daily routine and extends their learning through interaction and discussion. For example, the childminder asks children questions to help them to recognise colours, shapes and objects. He further enhances their learning by introducing any colours, shapes or objects children do not appear to know or are unsure of, which extends their language and understanding. The childminder uses walks to local amenities, such as parks and the library, to extend children's concepts of their local community, road safety and the world around them.

p.3

who attend

The childminder supports children's personal, social and emotional development well. His friendly, encouraging approach enhances their confidence and self-esteem. When children are trying to develop new skills the childminder encourages their attempts. For example, when children identify different shapes on a shape poster, he supports and praises their attempts. The childminder encourages children's mathematical and problem-solving skills through a wide range of activities. For example, he uses number language during daily routines and play activities, and praises children as their counting skills develop. He supports continual progress in this area by encouraging children to count as they jump, as they play with different toys and when they are out and about in the local community. He is delighted when a child counts on independently from 10 and praises their new skill enthusiastically. This really engages the child and supports their confidence and self-

p.4

who attend

esteem and they repeat their new skill again to the childminder, eager for more praise.

p.4

who attend

Resources are generally stored at low level, enabling children to make independent choices about what they would like to play with, which supports choice and their decision making skills well. However, although some mark-making resources are available in a pot on a child-sized table, others are kept behind toy boxes and are not easily visible or accessible, limiting the choices available to children. As a result, the full range of mark- making resources is not being utilised by the children.

p.4

who attend

The childminder keeps parents well informed of their children's progress and development through daily feedback, sharing the children's learning journals and the progress check for children aged two years. This enables parents to be fully involved in their children's learning and to enhance this further at home.

p.4

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

Children are happy, settled and show a sense of belonging as they independently choose what toys they want to play with and engage in activities with the childminder. The childminder discusses children's individual needs and stages of development with parents at the initial settling-in meetings. This enables him to meet their individual requirements and interests.

p.4

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

Generally, the childminder has appropriate hygiene routines in place to protect children from cross-infection and to support them to develop independent hygiene practices. For example, the childminder reminds children to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. However, children use a communal towel in the bathroom area which does not fully support children's well-being and health, as the risk of cross-infection is not minimised. The childminder identifies hazards in his home and on outings with children through effective risk assessments that help to ensure children's ongoing safety. For example, when the childminder identified that a rug in the playroom was starting to come up, it was securely fastened to ensure that it did not pose a tripping hazard for children. The childminder completes daily risk assessments of the indoor and outdoor environments for potential hazards and minimises these prior to children's arrival to support their

p.4

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

ongoing safety. Any identified hazards are fully recorded along with the action taken to minimise the risk. The childminder regularly practises the fire evacuation drill to ensure that he can evacuate all children safely in an emergency and supports children to understand the procedure to follow in an emergency. Outings in the local community and the daily school run are used by the childminder to introduce and encourage children's understanding of road safety.

p.5

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

Although the childminder has clear medication procedures in place regarding the administration of medication, he is not following these in practice. For example, he is not maintaining a written log of all medication administered to children which is a breach of the legal requirements. The childminder has accident procedures and states that any accidents would be thoroughly recorded and discussed with parents. The childminder promotes healthy lifestyles through daily opportunities for outdoor play and physical exercise on the daily school run. Outings to local amenities such as to parks and toddler groups with outside areas provide children with opportunities to use a variety of different play apparatus to develop their climbing and balancing skills.

p.5

provision

Overall, the childminder has an organised approach towards his childminding service and generally documentation is maintained to a good standard. However, he does not record details of any medication administered to children. This is a breach of the legal requirements on the Early Years Register and the associated Childcare Register.

p.5

provision

The childminder shares his safeguarding policies and procedures with parents and these fully outline his responsibilities with regards to recording and reporting any concerns relating to child protection. The childminder has recently refreshed his knowledge on child protection by completing a safeguarding course. There are clear procedures regarding the safe arrival and collection of children. For example, the childminder will only release children to adults who have been authorised by their parents to collect them.

p.5

provision

The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards the ongoing development of his practice. He has systems to monitor and reflect on his provision. He liaises closely with his co-minder to discuss and review practice and collects parental views on his service through questionnaires. Since his last inspection, he has completed the actions and recommendations that were made which show his capacity for improvement. All documentation, including public liability insurance, attendance and child records are completed and maintained appropriately.

p.5

provision

The childminder works closely in partnership with parents. He gathers their viewpoints through ongoing discussions during daily feedback and from comments in parental questionnaires that they complete on a regular basis. Comments in questionnaires are positive and include praise for his flexible service and how well he supports children's social skills. The childminder has effective systems for linking with other settings that children attend to ensure consistency and continuity of their care and learning. He liaises with teachers at schools older children attend, which supports children's progress and well-being.

p.5

The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are

p.6

actions)

The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are

p.6

To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

 keep records of any medication administered to any child who is cared for on the premises, including the date and circumstances and who administered it, together with a record of a parent/guardian/carer's consent (compulsory part of Childcare Register).  keep records of any medication administered to any child who is cared for on the premises, including the date and circumstances and who administered it, together with a record of a parent/guardian/carer's consent (voluntary part of Childcare Register).

p.6

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

p.7

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.

p.7

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.

p.8

Setting details

Unique reference number EY429578 Local authority Kent Inspection number 845431 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 14

p.8

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.

p.8

Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

p.8

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

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.

p.9

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,

p.9

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’.

p.10

Type of provision

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

p.10