Childminder in Medway

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY278256 Inspection date 15 November 2005 Inspector Sarah Morfett

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged 12. 11 and 1year in Waldaslade, Chatham. 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 4 children at any one time and is currently minding three children part time. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has some fish.

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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. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contributes to their health and well being. Each day they walk to and from school. Children know that walking makes them healthy as the ones who normally travel in a car say I'm being healthy because I walk to school. Regular trips to the local park help children to develop strong physical skills whilst they play on the large climbing apparatus. Children have a very good understanding of hygiene practices as the childminder has taken time to talk to them about why they must wash their hands after going to the toilet, playing in the garden and before eating. Children say that washing hands gets rid of germs. They are reminded every time they go to the toilet as there are signs with pictures saying remember to wash your hands. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. The childminder talks to the children about healthy options and displays information regarding appropriate

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Helping children to be healthy

food. The children demonstrate their awareness by their knowledge of the "five a day rule" which they learn at school and the childminder follows through to home. Children's needs are met as their dietary requirements are recorded and the childminder notes their likes and dislikes. Children enjoy sociable eating times; they all sit together at the table and chat to each other about the school day. The relaxed atmosphere means that children are comfortable, happy and settled.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment where risks have been identified and minimised. This enables the children to move around safely, freely and independently. Children make independent choices from a range of stimulating activities which are displayed at their level and can be easily accessed. All toys are cleaned regularly and checked to ensure there are no broken pieces. Children benefit from the good condition of all resources. Children's safety within the home and whilst out is promoted well. There is an effective fire evacuation procedure in place which children practice. Children demonstrate this as the alarm is set off by accident and they follow the procedure. A pictorial version of the evacuation plan is displayed in the kitchen ensuring younger children can understand too. Children follow clear boundaries whilst out, for example, they know that they must wait by the next lamppost then they can run onto the next

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

one. All aspects of children's well being is taken into account as the childminder regularly risk assesses her home. This means that the children's safety is paramount. The childminder has all of the procedures and documentation in place to ensure that the children's welfare is safeguarded, For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. The childminders understanding of child protection procedures

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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 helps to keep children safe from risk of harm and neglect and is pro-active in updating her knowledge. Older children in the home need to understand practical ways of keeping themselves safe from risk of allegation of abuse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very well settled at the childminders house. They appear confident and make themselves at home quickly. Toys and resources are readily available and children show confidence in choosing from a stimulating range of experiences. These suit the children's needs and cover the areas of development. Such as, role play, farm with animals and a play station. Children can relax after school. Children enjoy a weekly planned activity. This is usually something that they are covering at school. All of the children are involved in the planning, for example, the childminder talked to children about bonfire night and discussed what they had learnt at school, they then made pictures of fireworks together. The children plan at the beginning of each half term topics they would like to cover. The childminder uses extending language with the children. She asks them questions which make them

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

think. Children are given opportunities to extend their learning. Children feel comfortable and valued. They are beginning to form close relationships with their peers and adults. For example, at dinner time the older children helped younger ones by cutting up their food for them. They help to lay the table and discuss taking turns. Children say "if I do the table today, it can be your turn tomorrow". Children learn co-operation and important social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are provided with a meaningful range of activities and resources which promote a positive view of the world around them. For example, puzzles and books increase children's awareness of diversity. Through play and discussion with the childminder they learn about different cultures. Activities offered to children are age appropriate and non-discriminatory. Dressing up clothes reflect different genders and all children can choose what to wear. All children are treated with equal concern. Children benefit from the childminders positive attitude towards behaviour management. Strategies used are adapted for the ages of children attending. Children are involved in setting ground rules, For example, there is a list of words about being kind which the children helped to compile displayed on the kitchen wall. This means that children learn to respect one another. Children are valued as individuals. Their needs are met as their normal daily routine

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Helping children make a positive contribution

is shared verbally with parents each day. Parents are kept well informed of the care their children are receiving by comprehensive policies and procedures devised by the childminder. Parents report that children are very happy with the childminder and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 make good progress. Children receive continuity of care

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease within the well organised environment. Children are confident and self assured. This means that they are able to initiate and extend their learning and play. Well thought out planning contributes to valuable experiences for children. Children make good progress in all areas of development. Policies and procedures developed by the childminder are used effectively and promote children's welfare, care and learning. These are shared with parents to ensure they are well informed of the care their children receive. All documentation is maintained to a good standard. The childminder has a positive attitude to keeping her knowledge of children's development up to date. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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): • discuss with family members ways to keep themselves safe from allegations of abuse

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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 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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