Childminder in Kent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY315969 Inspection date 07 March 2006 Inspector Beth Kingsland

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her partner in Deal, 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 registered to care for a maximum of 2 children at any one time and is currently minding 5 children on a rota basis. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The childminder has a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children are cared for in an environment that contributes effectively to their good health. Children have access to a large enclosed garden, which provides them with regular opportunities to run freely and use a range of play equipment, for example, trampolines and play tunnels. Regular walks into the local community provides opportunities for children to be active and gain increasing control of their bodies. The childminder makes good use of the Birth to three matters framework. Children's emotional well-being is extended through activities that allow them to express and communicate their feelings freely, for example, children completed activities independently and discussed openly what they were doing. Children receive a nutritious, healthy and balanced diet, which is varied to meet their individual needs. They are encouraged to make independent food choices, for example, children discussed what they would like for snack time and spoke openly

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Helping children to be healthy

about their likes and dislikes. Children are regularly offered a range of drinks throughout the day. They are encouraged to prepare and eat meals together. This allows children to enjoy food, becoming independent in feeding themselves. Children are beginning to learn about the importance of good personal hygiene routines. They wash their hands before meal times and independently select tissues when required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children can move freely within the well-organised, inviting environment, both inside and within the garden area. Comprehensive risk assessment procedures ensure children have easy and free access to a good range of well-maintained equipment that is effectively organised to encourage the children to select independently. For example, resources are presented in sliding boxes and on open shelving that are organised for their stages of abilities. The children are very aware of the importance of staying safe, for example, keeping areas of the floor space free from equipment to ensure easy access and freedom of movement. They are kept free from harm when they are away from the premises, due to close supervision and the childminder’s clear knowledge of health and safety procedures. However, as yet, the childminder has not ensured that individual names and contacts for children are available in the case of an emergency. Children can

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

sleep safely within a well-maintained comfortable environment. Children are protected from potential harm through the childminder’s competent knowledge and understanding of child protection issues.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children experience a wide variety of purposeful and meaningful activities that are planned well to meet their differing needs and abilities. They are well settled and are confident within the surroundings of the childminder’s home. This is displayed through the children's communication with the childminder as they discussed the activities they would like to complete. Children can freely select and show increasing independence as they choose and make individual choices. They benefit from activities that allow them to explore, express and use their imaginations, for example, collage work, work with malleable materials and free painting. Children are encouraged to discuss their creations and their ideas are praised and valued. The childminder’s clear knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework results in younger children experiencing activities that allow them to explore, discover, imitate and discover.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are provided with many opportunities to socialise with other children and undergo a balance of meaningful and purposeful experiences that extend their knowledge and increase their awareness of the local and wider environment. Children can select from an appropriate range of equipment that promotes positive images of culture, gender and disability. This increases children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Children gain increasing self-assurance through a strong relationship with the childminder. Their views and beliefs are valued and appreciated. They are encouraged to persevere and make personal choices. This results in children who are well behaved, helpful and tolerant of others. The children's needs are further extended with the strong relationship developed between the childminder and parents and carers. Parents receive clear information about children's daily routine and the childminder's practice. They are encouraged to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

share any concerns and to speak openly on a daily basis. However, the childminder has not provided parents with procedures for complaints.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from clear routines and a well-organised environment. They are supported in a warm and caring home, which supports their growing social confidence allowing them to be valued and appreciated. The childminder has adopted clear polices and procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. There are clear planning systems in place to ensure

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 effective procedures are adopted to keep children safe and enable them to make good progress. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure effective procedures are developed for recording children's attendance while away from the premises • ensure parents are made aware of the procedures for complaints.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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