Childminder in Medway

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11/12/2014 14/07/2014

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early years provision

This inspection: 3 Previous inspection: 4 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

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This provision requires improvement

 The childminder organises the environment to enable children to freely access resources, choosing where and what they want to play with.  Children have lots of opportunities to develop their physical skills on challenging, large outdoor play equipment.  Children are developing healthy lifestyles because the childminder serves fresh, healthy and nutritious food at snack and lunchtime.

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It is not yet good because

 The childminder does not use risk assessments effectively to identify and reduce all hazards to children.  Behaviour management strategies do not always take into account children's age and stage of development.  Systems for monitoring and self-evaluation are still evolving and currently do not effectively identify strengths and areas for development, building on children's achievements.

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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 observed the childminder's interactions with the children and spoke to her and her assistants at appropriate times during the day.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's learning profiles, including assessment documents, next steps and tracking of their progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled a range of documentation including staff suitability checks, policies and risk assessments.  The inspector discussed how the childminder monitors and evaluates her practice.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2011. She lives with her husband and four children in Rochester, Kent. Childminding takes place on the ground floor of the childminder's home and children use the lounge, kitchen-diner and two other rooms as well as a toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder has three assistants who work with her at different times throughout the week. There are currently 18 children on roll, of whom, seven are in the early years age range. There are a maximum of three adults working together at any one time. The childminder also provides care for children who are aged over eight years. The childminding service includes transportation to and from local schools and nurseries.

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must:

 use a robust system of risk assessment to keep children safe at all times and to protect them from any hazards

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must:

 ensure children's behaviour is managed consistently, using strategies suited to their individual age and stage of development.

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

 strengthen the use of systems to monitor and evaluate strengths and areas for development to promote continuous improvement in the provision for children.

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who attend

Children arrive happy and ready to play and learn as the childminder is very kind and caring. The childminder has a sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She understands how to plan her environment and activities to meet the needs of the wide age range of children who attend. This is because she works with parents to gather information about children's starting points for learning. This allows her to gain an accurate understanding of each child's needs and abilities and to build on them. It also allows her to provide an appropriate range of resources in all areas of learning. The children can freely access these, allowing them to make choices in their play and learning. The childminder completes regular observations as well as assessments to help her to ensure that children make progress in their learning. She shares these with parents, welcomes their input and uses the information to plan next steps. As a result, children are

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who attend

making adequate progress, typical for their age. The completed progress check for two- year-old children contains a written summary of children's development. The check enables the childminder and staff to identify any children who are not making consistent progress. This allows for early intervention if necessary to help children develop.

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who attend

The childminder fosters children's communication skills well. Lots of conversations take place during the day and the childminder repeats words to support and reinforce children's developing language. She introduces new descriptive words in sentences such as, 'It's a basket, it's a rough basket' while children are playing. Consequently, children make sound progress in their language development.

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who attend

The children have purposeful opportunities to develop their physical skills. The childminder has planned the environment to ensure there is a range of equipment to support and extend the children's small muscle groups; for example, a range of puzzles of differing ability. In addition, there is a wide range of large play equipment outside, where children can climb and challenge themselves.

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who attend

The childminder plans regular meetings with the parents to discuss their children's progress. This allows parents who do not wish to complete written feedback the opportunity to have in-depth discussions about next steps. Consequently, parents and the childminder work together to support children's needs. Parents value these meetings and the input they have with supporting their children's learning.

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

Children are happy, confident and build friendly relationships with the childminder and her assistants. This is because all children have a named key person when they start. This person builds a relationship with the child and parents, ensuring a smooth and easy transition when they start. Consequently, children demonstrate they feel safe and secure and easily approach adults for help and support when needed.

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

The childminder teaches children about hygiene and hand washing to promote their health. Children automatically go to the toilet to wash their hands before eating food to reduce risks of cross infection. The childminder serves fruit, water and milk at snack time and healthy home-cooked food at lunchtime, such as spaghetti bolognaise with vegetables. As a result, children are developing healthy lifestyles. The childminder displays allergy information in the kitchen to help to ensure children are only served foods they can safely eat. Furthermore, after eating, children are encouraged to brush their teeth, supporting their developing understanding about health. However, all the toothbrushes are kept uncovered in the same cup in the bathroom. Therefore, this does not fully minimise the risk of cross contamination.

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

Children play together well and generally behave well. The childminder and her assistants clap hands to 'high five' with children to show they value their achievements. However, on occasions, when children need guidance, the childminder and her assistants occasionally use strategies that are not age appropriate. For example, they ask very young children to share and take turns and request that children play 'nicely', without explaining what this means. Therefore, children are unable to understand fully what is expected of them through consistent boundaries.

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provision

The childminder has an adequate knowledge of the safeguarding and welfare requirements to protect children's welfare. All statutory policies are in writing, including safeguarding. The childminder and her assistants fully understand how to implement child protection procedures in the event of a concern and can confidently discuss processes they would follow. This enables them to safeguard children. There are parental locks on the computer and the childminder regularly monitors the sites children access, therefore, keeping them safe online. The childminder and her assistants all hold a current first-aid certificate ensuring children are kept safe in case of a minor medical emergency. The childminder conducts regular risk assessments of her home. However, these do not fully identify all risks and the childminder has not eliminated all hazards to children's safety and their health. For example, there is a toilet-cleaning block which contains harmful chemicals

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provision

in the toilet. Outside, safety guards blocking children's access to some areas of the garden have been blown away and not replaced. Consequently, children are able to access areas they are not meant to play in, which affects their safety and well-being.

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provision

The childminder's use of systems for monitoring and evaluating her practice are still evolving. She works closely with the local authority advisors to identify areas for improvement and regularly sends out questionnaires to parents. As a result, she has made changes, such as introducing parents' meetings and more fruit and vegetables at lunch time. However, the childminder had not identified weaknesses in how children's behaviour is managed to support children's well-being.

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provision

The childminder has built positive relationships with parents. She has informal discussions daily and regular meetings to discuss children's progress. The childminder works with the local children's centre to inform parents of the services they offer. This enables the childminder to seek support and guidance for children who have been identified as needing early intervention. Consequently, parents feel supported and speak highly of the childminder.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are

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actions)

The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are

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

 ensure the premises and equipment used for the purposes of the childcare are safe and suitable for that childcare (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that children's behaviour is managed in a suitable manner (compulsory part of the Childcare Register).  ensure the premises and equipment used for the purposes of the childcare are safe and suitable for that childcare (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that children's behaviour is managed in a suitable manner (voluntary part of the Childcare Register).

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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 EY420696 Local authority Medway Towns Inspection number 984386 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 14

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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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