Childminder in Kent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY321145 Inspection date 11 July 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 husband and one child aged seven, in Deal, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five on a rota basis. The childminder walks/drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a hamster.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean environment where they learn about good hygiene practice, for example, they wash their hands after visiting the toilet and before meals. A sick child policy and the use of individual towels helps prevent the spread of infection and contributes to keeping children healthy. Up to date first aid training and clear procedures for accidents and the administration of medication help the childminder act in the best interest of the children in the event of an accident or illness. Parents’ written permission is obtained to enable the childminder to act according to their wishes in a medical emergency. All accidents, medicines and injuries are recorded in detail. All children's medical details are recorded on a dedicated sheet; therefore the childminder is aware of the children's individual needs. The childminder liaises with parents to ensure all children's allergies are known and

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Helping children to be healthy

understood. However, recorded information of children's allergies does not detail signs and symptoms. As a result in the event of an allergic reaction the individual medical needs of children may not be met. Although the childminder ensures that sleeping children can sleep safely, she has not ensured that they are protected from cross infection. For example, children sleep on a sofa without a protective cover. The children receive a balanced and nutritious diet. Children enjoy healthy snacks in the care of the childminder, for example, children enjoyed a snack of apples and raisins. Children enjoy fruit every day and snack and meal times are relaxed social occasions where children sit together to eat and chat. Regular drinks provided as part of the routine keep children's bodies hydrated. Physical exercise is a regular feature of the daily routine. Although the children do not have access to an outside play area, the childminder plans regular trips into the

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Helping children to be healthy

community to allow children to run and play freely and practice their large muscle skills through the use of a variety of equipment. For example, the children visit a local play gym.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are safe and secure. Children's safety is ensured because the childminder has a very good understanding of potential dangers and hazards and removes these, enabling children to move freely and safely around her home. Toys and equipment are clean and in good condition to enable children to play safely. The childminder encourages children to be aware of potential hazards, for example, children discussed how they should pick up toys to prevent them from falling over. Clear procedures have been introduced for the arrival and collection of children. The childminder has introduced a comprehensive emergency evacuation plan. For

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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 example, fire drills are carried out periodically and fire detection equipment is easily accessible contributing to children’s protection in the event of a fire. Children are well protected and safe guarded from harm because the childminder has a good understanding of her role with regards to child protection issues. She has a good awareness of different types of abuse and knows how to implement local procedures should concerns be raised. Children are protected because the childminder keeps accurate records of times they attend. She discusses her role regarding child protection with parents ensuring they understand her responsibilities and she is kept fully informed of who will be collecting their child from her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Interaction between children and the childminder is superb. Children show great affection to the childminder and respond extremely well to her skilful questioning encouraging them to develop their own ideas and consolidate their existing knowledge. A love of books is fostered by the childminder. She is skilful with questioning techniques and introduces language to the children's play. Children really enjoy the range of books that the childminder provides. They frequently ask for their favourite stories and snuggle up to the childminder to listen to the story. Children join in with the story and recall what will happen and point to and talk with the childminder about the pictures. Children are confident speakers and are encouraged to contribute their ideas for play. Children explore a range of art and craft techniques, such as, making shape pictures, rubbings and painting. Children learn to play and take turns in their play as

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

they play games, such as, placing blocks into sorting box. They are able to practice small muscle skills through the range of activities that the childminder offers. For example, they used bricks for stacking and placed small world equipment into play vehicles. Children benefit enormously because the childminder has a good knowledge of child development and recognises the importance of play in a child's development. She has a firm understanding of how children learn most effectively and plans a range of exciting and stimulating activities and experiences suitable for their individual ages and stages of development. Children gain an understanding about numbers, shapes and letters as they look at books, use a wide selection of puzzles and play matching games to build on their existing skills and develop new ones.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are extremely confident and self-assured in the childminder's care. They are very happy and play well together recognising the need to share and take turns. Children are sensitive towards one another and show high levels of confidence and self-esteem as a result from continual praise from the childminder. They show a real

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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 sense of security and seek reassurance from the childminder recognising when they need help and support with self chosen tasks. Children develop a secure sense of belonging to the setting as they help pack away their toys when they have finished playing and know the routine well. Their behaviour is good. Children have a very good understanding of what is expected of them because the childminder talks to them about the house rules, for example, children know they must sit up at the table when eating. Children become aware of their own needs and those of other people's and begin to learn about the differences and similarities between themselves and others. Children's personal cultures are successfully acknowledged by the childminder; she builds close relationships with the parents and finds out about the children's home life

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and needs. Therefore, she is able to talk with the children about relevant things in their home life. Children find out about differences in our society through regular outings into the local community and wider world, discussion and a range of resources, such as, different coloured miniature people, posters and books. The childminder has developed a good partnership with parents. They are well informed of their children's care and development through the provision of a book that they provide. A written record daily account about each child, including photographs is maintained attractively by the childminder. Detailed written statements informs parents of the service provided by the childminder. Contracts outline business arrangements and parents permissions are obtained for appropriate aspects of the childminder's service. The childminder is aware of the most recent changes in regulation and has developed a clear complaints procedure, which is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

sensitively displayed and shared with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is able to show that all adults living at the setting have undergone checks to establish their suitability. The registration certificate is displayed and the attendance register confirms that the childminder complies with the conditions of her registration. All the required documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the setting and for the welfare and care of children is maintained. The daily routine is balanced to include, quiet times, active times, rest, meals and outings. As a result, the children are secure and settled in the care of the childminder. 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.

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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 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 information of children's allergies include detailed information of signs and symptoms • ensure children are appropriately protected from cross infection while sleeping.

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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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