Motton, Kim

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY320012 Inspection date 21 July 2006 Inspector Melissa Tickner

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and nine in Orpington, 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 three children at any one time and is currently minding one child aged five and one child aged 11 on a part time, casual basis. The childminder walks to local pre-schools to take and collect children. The family has three cats.

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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 supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities. The childminder is a member of three childminding networks, two of which relate to children with special needs. She is committed to a quality assurance scheme through Mencap. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to develop good hygiene practices and these are promoted and encouraged by the childminder. For example, she provides individual hand towels and flannels, and encourages hand washing at appropriate times. She ensures children arrive with sun cream applied to protect them in the sun and has sun cream available should a further application be required. Wet wipes are used and the childminder ensures children's noses are kept clean by regularly wiping them. These aspects help avoid the spread of infection. The childminder adopts positive hygiene practices such as hygienic methods for nappy changing. Children are provided with healthy meals, and the childminder is experienced in catering to special dietary requirements. She encourages children to try healthy fruit such as melon, pineapples, and strawberries. Drinks are set out for children in their own cups, to

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Helping children to be healthy

ensure they can help themselves to regular drinks to remain hydrated. Children thoroughly enjoy playing outdoors, with a range of outdoor play equipment. The childminder supervises outdoor play closely and encourages children to enjoy physical activity on a daily basis. All relevant medical and health documentation is in place, with the exception of permission for emergency treatment consent. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate. These aspects ensure she is suitably equipped to deal with accidents or illnesses.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to an appropriate range of safe and suitable toys and resources, which are accessible and set out at their level. The childminder considers the needs of the children present when providing the toys and organising them, for example, ensuring a range of sensory toys are available. These are limited in quantity to meet the needs of children present. However, at other times a wide range of toys and resources are available, including a good selection of cause and effect and sensory toys, which are suited to children with special needs. Children enjoy playing with outdoor play resources during the inspection. Children are cared for in a welcoming home environment which is safe and appropriately organised to meet their needs. They are supervised extremely well and their safety is promoted in practice. For example, the childminder supports children as they walk up and down steps and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

when sitting on adult sized chairs. The childminder also practices a fire drill with children regularly, and keeps a record of these details. As a result children are developing an awareness of keeping themselves safe and they are well safeguarded in the childminder's care. Children are safeguarded effectively through the

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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 childminder's clear systems for keeping them safe on outings, and when playing in the garden. The childminder has a clear knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow should she develop concerns. As a result, children's welfare and well-being is considered a high priority and is promoted by the childminder at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder is currently caring for children with special needs. She is committed, caring and enthusiastic and meets the needs of children in her care well. Children are settled and happy as they confidently explore sensory and tactile toys and resources. During the inspection, a minimal range of resources are set out to meet the needs of the child present. A further range is available and regularly rotated which the childminder provides as appropriate. Children receive close supervision and support. The childminder is also sensitive to their needs and the level of independence that they require whilst providing them with support and interaction that encourages them and enables them to make progress whilst in her care, according to their level of ability and understanding. The childminder is familiar with children's interests and preferences and provides resources that meet these needs. For example providing

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

toys that are of interest and encouraging activities that the children enjoy and relate to, such as going on outings to the local parks and indoor play centres. The childminder recognises that children enjoy a range of particular resources and toys but also offers gentle encouragement to try out new activities and toys which are gradually introduced, and is able to re-direct children as and when appropriate, gently encouraging them and moving them on to something new. Children enjoy being comforted as the childminder sings songs and nursery rhymes offering encouragement and close support. The childminder has encouraged activities and interaction that have gradually helped children to develop their skills and abilities; such as encouraging increased eye contact. All of these aspects contribute to children enjoying and achieving and making progress whilst in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met well. All children are valued and welcomed and the childminder's background and strong knowledge and understanding of special needs issues supports her in her work with children with disabilities and learning difficulties. She has a wealth of training and experience in this area and is committed to caring for children with special needs, offering them a suitable environment and a caring and sensitive approach to their care. The childminder respects children's individual abilities, preferences and needs, and provides a range of resources and toys suitable to their needs, helping them to feel secure and settled in her care. There is a suitable range of resources promoting diversity and the childminder is currently in the process of expanding those reflecting positive images of disability. These help children to develop a good awareness of the diversity of our society. The

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder manages children's behaviour issues positively. She has a calm 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 sensitive approach, and manages children's behaviour in accordance with their level of understanding. This helps children feel settled and secure in her care. The childminder works closely with parents. She makes time to communicate with them daily, and gives them support and time to discuss their children's individual needs. She also works closely with parents to help provide a good service to the children in her care, by, for example attending a child's educational review and working with professionals involved with the care of the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder's organised approach to her childminding enables her to promote strong outcomes for children. She has a well organised range of documentation in place including an informative portfolio for parents which includes an extensive range of policies and procedures. All required documentation is in place and well organised and stored; with the exception of permission for emergency treatment consent. The childminder is committed and enthusiastic about her role and has attended a wealth of training, many of which are in special needs issues. She has a level three qualification in childcare and hopes to go on to complete a level four qualification. She also has a Portage qualification. The childminder is a member of three networks, two of which specialise in caring for children with special needs and through Mencap she is committed to a quality assurance scheme. This involves monthly meetings and

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Organisation

regular training opportunities. These aspects show the childminder is committed to development and improvement in order that she can provide a good level of care to children, particularly those with special needs. 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 registration. 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

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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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 permission for emergency treatment consent is in place

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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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