Marle, April Elizabeth

Inspection report for early years provision

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156770 Unique Reference Number 07 August 2006 Inspection date Jackie Liffen Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her husband and three children in Tonbridge, Kent. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five, full time and one over five, part time. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. She attends the local toddler group.

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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. The childminder contributes to children's good health by ensuring that she follows good practices regarding the administration of medicines; she generally keeps her home clean and tidy. Children are beginning to understand good hygiene practices when they remember to wash their hands after going to the toilet, helped by the childminder who provides aids such as a step-stool and individual disposable towels. If young children need to sleep then the childminder provides a travel cot in her bedroom where they rest comfortably. Older children sit on the sofa or armchairs where they relax to watch television or read a book.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children choose which type of fruit they prefer for a snack when they are hungry, and what kind of sandwich filling they like for lunch. However, the childminder is not planning menus so that children always eat nutritional food at mealtimes. Children have a drink when they are thirsty, for example, older children help themselves to squash and water, and the childminder refills the toddler's non-spillable mug when it is empty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in the childminder's welcoming and secure home where the effective door locks prevent young children from exiting unaided. The childminder uses her risk assessment to ensure that the premises are suitable for children. She generally ensures that children play with safe and attractive toys although they are not helping themselves from a range but waiting for the childminder to select toys for them. The childminder checks the safety of equipment on a regular basis but sometimes is unaware of very young children exposing themselves to danger when they play with home-made toys such as a bat and ball joined with elastic. However, generally, the childminder helps children to avoid accidental injury by ensuring that they are unable to reach dangerous substances such as medicines, which are stored out of reach. Children are prevented from hurting themselves in the kitchen because the childminder uses a stairgate

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to prevent access, or she supervises them closely. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a basic knowledge of child protection procedures and knows whom to contact for advice if necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle and enjoy playing on the laminated floor with large brightly coloured building blocks. They extend their planning skills and co-operate well by making firstly a house, and then a robot. Although older children gain rapidly in self-esteem, toddlers are not always included in all activities but sometimes amuse themselves when others are undertaking creative tasks on the kitchen table. Older children are involved in a range of planned activities and spontaneous events to support their development and learning. For example, they enjoy undertaking a variety of craft activities, such as making puppets and colouring in detailed drawings. The childminder helps toddlers to make decisions by leaving them to decide what to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 play with from the toys that she supplies. They are beginning to gain in confidence as she selects suitable, brightly coloured activities for them to explore and investigate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Although the childminder has a detailed written equal opportunities policy, some children are not receiving the benefit of this because the childminder is not implementing all of her procedures. Children sometimes benefit from a few activities to help them extend their understanding of diversity, which the childminder borrows from the toy library, however, they do not play with a range of appropriate toys on a regular basis. The childminder welcomes all children and tries to ensure that they have their special needs met by keeping her records are up to date, and by talking to parents about specific requirements. Children are learning to respond to appropriate expectations for their behaviour and often explore and experiment by themselves without adult input. Their self esteem is maintained by the childminder, who questions them when they misbehave so that they understand their misdemeanours. Children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are secure because their continuity of care is enhanced by the childminder who works with parents and carers to ensure that they are fully informed about her service.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit because the childminder gives regard to their care; she holds an up to date first aid certificate and tries to improve her practice as much as possible. Most of the children's needs are met by the childminder who has a little knowledge of child development and organises the space and resources in her home so that children play safely and securely. Children are safe enough to explore and experiment without fear of accidents. Most policies and procedures work in practice to promote children's health, safety and enjoyment although some are not complete. The childminder clearly displays her registration certificate and provides parents with copies of her policies so that they work together to provide continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to formalise the risk assessment procedures. She has done this by writing out a list of things to check for safety so that children play without risk of accidents. The childminder was asked to regularly review her service statement, policies and procedures to reflect current practice. She has sought advice from the National Childminding Association in order to keep her documentation up to date. The childminder also obtains written parental permission to access emergency medical advice and treatment as requested at her last inspection.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • plan menus for children so that they are eating nutritional meals • make sure that all toys are suitable and safe for young children • extend range of toys and activities to increase children's awareness of equal opportunities • ensure all relevant paperwork is signed by parents.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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