Newbury, Clare Emma

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY277412 Inspection date 11 May 2005 Inspector Virginia Cooper

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and two young children. They live in a house in Minster, Sheppey. There are shops, parks, schools and pre-schools within walking distance. Downstairs is generally the area used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. There are five children currently on roll.

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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 The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local childminding group with the children. The family have two cats. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a clean and well-ordered environment enabling them to move around easily and safely. They have a close relationship with the childminder and are very comfortable and 'at home'. They are familiar with the daily routine and consequently know what to expect and feel secure. When children look for reassurance, they settle quickly with a smile or encouragement from the childminder. Some children eat a packed lunch provided by the parents and some children eat food provided by the childminder. They eat sitting at the table and are beginning to learn about good table manners and food hygiene. They wash their hands before eating. The children enjoy cooking and this provides opportunities to talk about making healthy food choices. Children with special diets are accommodated. The childminder works closely with parents over issues like toilet training and consequently children are ready physically and emotionally before starting. They are

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Helping children to be healthy

beginning to take themselves to the toilet and they remember to wash their hands afterwards. Toileting accidents are dealt with sensitively and the childminder cleans immediately to avoid any cross infection. Children enjoy physical activities and love to go to the park and to The Strand. They get plenty of fresh air and opportunities for outdoor play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has carried out an initial risk assessment providing the children with an environment where children can play safely. Equipment is in place to aid the children's safety and they appreciate the house rules that have been written to protect them for example, the front door is only ever opened when the childminder is with them. The children play with age appropriate toys that are checked for their suitability. The childminder reminds the children how to keep safe whilst they play. Children cannot enter areas that might be hazardous; gates prevent them. They only

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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 go upstairs when accompanied by the childminder to collect different toys. They are always in the direct care of the childminder and therefore will never experience the unsupervised company of unsuitable adults. The childminder understands her responsibility to protect children from harm and has procedures in place to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care. Her role in the protection of children is documented in her service statement and discussed with parents when they first place a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children choose what they want to play with from a very good selection of toys. They are confident and ask if they want to do something different. The children have the opportunity to be creative, they enjoy making things and then playing with what they have made, for example dolls houses. They make decorations for parties which enables them to take an active part in the arrangements. The children enjoy cooking biscuits and older children have helped to make their lunch, introducing them to learning about food and the properties of different ingredients. Children are learning to amuse themselves, and are making up their own games. The childminder often gets down to their level and plays with them. Their language skills and level of understanding is enhanced with skilful questioning that is relevant to their lives. Planned activities help children enjoy their play and keep them amused and busy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder knows the children well and what they can manage easily or where they need additional help this enables her to provide activities that are at the right level of ability for each child. The children enjoy lots of outdoor play and often visit large play areas like Mote Park and The Strand where they can run around and enjoy physical activities. Children are relaxed and approach the childminder easily, they chat with one another whilst they play and are learning how to socialise and play cooperatively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children talk about their home life and their family members, they confidently chat with the adults and each other. Children understand they can ask and have their needs met. They receive lots of attention, praise and encouragement and consequently they feel safe and secure. Their behaviour is good; they share and cooperate with one another. There are House Rules that the children understand that help to keep children safe and teach them how to behave.

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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 All communication with parents is verbal, it is clear that the parents keep the childminder well informed about their children's needs. The childminder does not record any development records or write in a contact book for parents and so they are not provided with a permanent record of their time with her or the progress they are making. The childminder has agreed to address this.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides care. The childminder is well organised and keeps all the documentation that relates to her childminding business together and confidentially. She keeps all the required records and obtains parental permission where necessary; consequently parents are kept well informed. There is a routine to the day that the children are familiar with helping them to feel secure. They tend to free play in the mornings and then the childminder plans activities for them in the afternoon giving them opportunities to play with adult support and also to play independently. The childminder is flexible and works around the children's needs and school runs. The childminder understands the importance of confidentiality and a good working relationship with parents. Parents provide detailed information about their child to

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Organisation

ensure the childminder can provide an appropriate service. They provide telephone numbers for emergency contact. The childminder has a written service statement for new parents that include information about equal opportunities, behaviour management, child protection, sickness and house rules. All parents are made aware of this document and therefore know what is expected of them.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has obtained written permission for the administration of sun cream. The front door is kept locked to ensure the safe arrival and departure of children. The keys are kept nearby to enable a quick exit in an emergency. The childminder has reviewed her nappy changing procedures and ensures her hands are washed immediately afterwards. The childminder can easily access necessary phone numbers and has decided the procedure she would follow if she ever had child protection concerns.

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 There have been no complaints since the last inspection.

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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 that children are prevented from having access to cleaning materials • consider how you might provide parents with a permanent record of their children's time with you and the progress they are making.

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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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