Childminder in Kent

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20 April 2016 12 January 2011

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3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Good 2

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The childminder is not always sufficiently vigilant to minimise potential hazards that arise to maintain their safety and well-being. This is also a breach of the Childcare Register requirements.  The childminder has not fully established strong partnerships with other early years settings that children attend to help provide consistency of care and learning for all children.  The childminder does not always fully extend children's interest in literacy, particularly for those children who like to be outdoors.

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It has the following strengths

 Children have close bonds with the nurturing childminder. This helps them to form a strong bond and settle well.  Children make good progress as they enjoy a wide range of interesting activities that reflect their interests and individual learning needs. For example, the childminder makes good use of local facilities and places of interest to support children's learning and broaden their experiences.  The childminder is clear about her role in safeguarding children's welfare. She is aware of the action to take and who to contact should she have any concerns.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Childcare Register the provider must:

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Due Date

 use risk assessment more effectively, to minimise and manage risks and hazards that arise throughout the day. 11/05/2016

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 improve ways of working with other early years providers to strengthen consistency in children's care and learning  provide children with more opportunities to learn that words have meaning to support their interest in literacy.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector discussed risk assessments with the childminder and inspected all areas of the premises used for childminding.  The inspector read a sample of documents written by the childminder, including the safeguarding policy, risk assessments and children's learning and development information.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder about children's activities and their progress.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder.  Parents' feedback was sampled through questionnaires.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder is aware of any signs that may cause concerns about a child's welfare. She has written risk assessments in place. However, she is not sufficiently vigilant throughout the day to minimise the hazards that occur. For example, she did not remove obstructions from the bottom of the playhouse stairs, which resulted in children not being able to use stairs safely. The childminder has not developed sufficiently strong links with other settings children attend to ensure they have a continuity of care and learning. Overall, the childminder constantly reflects on the service she provides for children and their families, to help her make improvements that enable all children to make good progress. The childminder is committed to improving her teaching skills; for example, she regularly meets with other early years professionals to share best practice.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder makes effective use of observations and assessments to identify children's next steps in learning, and plans activities that motivate them to learn. She carefully monitors their progress to identify any development areas that need additional support to help children catch up. She provides children with a good variety of interesting and stimulating play experiences. Children are enthusiastic about their learning because the childminder encourages them to be creative. For example, they enjoy using icing to decorate their biscuits. The childminder introduces new vocabulary to extend children's communication and language development. For instance, when they talk about the wildlife they see in the garden.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Children learn about the importance of exercise and a healthy diet; for example, they particularly enjoy exploring and learning outside. The childminder encourages children's early literacy development; however, she does not fully extend this to support those children who prefer to learn outdoors. The childminder does not sufficiently risk assess her home to ensure children play in an environment where all identified hazards are minimised, which means they cannot explore and investigate safely. The childminder is a good role model and sets clear rules and boundaries to help children to learn how to keep themselves safe, such as teaching children why it is important to stay out of the kitchen when the oven is in use. Children's behaviour is good and appropriate for their age.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress from their initial starting points. They are independent and enjoy the responsibility of carrying out small tasks, such as cutting up fruit for snack time. They manage their own personal care needs in readiness for their eventual move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY347046 Local authority Kent Inspection number 828523 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 12 January 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2007 and lives in Longfield Hill, near Meopham, Kent. She provides care Monday to Friday from 7am to 7pm, for most of the year. The childminder holds a level 3 qualification in childcare.

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Telephone number

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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Telephone number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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, safeguarding and child protection.

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Telephone number

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Telephone number

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Telephone number

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

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