Sunnydown School

Inspection report for early years provision

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125458 Unique Reference Number 28 July 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?

The childminder was registered in 1990. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Paddock Wood, Kent. Most of the house is used for childminding apart from two of the bedrooms. 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding two children over five on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and the Paddock Wood Childminders group. The family have a dog, a cat, some goldfish and two birds.

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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 beginning to learn simple good health and hygiene practices when they go upstairs to wash their hands. They are protected from infection by the childminder who ensures that they all have their own small towels to use. The childminder does not receive any children who are sick. She makes sure that children are not exposed to unnecessary germs by using anti-bacterial cleanser to clean surfaces in the kitchen where the cat and dog sometimes go. She also helps to protect children's health by cleaning out the bird's cage in the dining room every two days. Young children sleep according to their needs in a specific travel cot which is erected in the main bedroom. Older children rest on the sofa or armchairs whilst they watch television. Children frequently exercise in the garden where the childminder provides a variety of apparatus such as wheeled toys and a trampoline. They also take part in regular physical

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Helping children to be healthy

activity when they walk to and from school.

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Helping children to be healthy

When children are thirsty they help themselves to drinks which the childminder leaves for them on the dining room table. Generally parents supply packed lunches for children and the childminder helps to ensure that they are well nourished by providing a snack of fruit if children request food between meals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into secure and comfortable premises where the childminder undertakes a daily risk assessment to ensure that precautions are taken to prevent accidents. The childminder ensures that children are comfortable by keeping a check on the temperature; she monitors it by strategic use of curtains when it is hot and by using the thermostatic controls on the radiators if cold.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Indoors, older children tend to enjoy playing with a variety of toys, such as lego, on the floor of the living room. However, a number of shoes lay by both the exits, which cause some obstruction to children's ease of passage. The childminder helps children to access toys, in which they are interested, from a large range which are kept in crates in the corner of the living room. Children are pleased to play with some of the attractive, well-maintained toys which the childminder presents to them. The childminder eradicates a number of possible dangers by using stairgates strategically so that children are not in a potentially stressful environment. For example, the childminder prevents children from entering the kitchen, especially when the dog is there. Children are helped to avoid accidental injury on outings because the childminder uses reins, car restraints and pushchairs appropriately to ensure their safety. She also takes out

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

emergency supplies, including water and a first aid kit, so that if children hurt themselves she quickly alleviates their pain. Children are protected by the childminder who has a detailed emergency plan covering evacuation and procedures to follow if there is a fire. Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder who has a basic knowledge of child protection procedures and knows whom to contact for help if necessary.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children quickly settle and become happy in the setting where they are familiar with the activities on offer; they help themselves to toys from a number stored in boxes in the corner of the room. Children use their initiative as they create models from lego, and their motivation is enhanced when the childminder asks appropriate questions to extend their learning. Children become involved in a range of imaginative games and the childminder introduces them to further activities at regular intervals.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are stimulated by the diverse opportunities on offer when the childminder takes them to arranged away-days. They join in a number of planned experiences which link into further projects, for example children listen to a story about a hungry caterpillar and create their own collages based on the theme. Although the childminder does not plan to help children develop and progress on a daily basis and is not using the Birth to three matters framework, she is helping them to become confident in making decisions. She encourages children to explore and investigate their surroundings so that they learn through play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued, respected and included by the childminder who follows her equal opportunities policy in providing an environment where all children are encouraged to develop and reach their full potential irrespective of their background. Children's individual needs are met well by the childminder who reviews their record sheets on a regular basis and keeps up-to-date by speaking at length with their parents. Children benefit from a number of resources which help them value diversity. For example the childminder provides toys such as black dolls, books, puzzles and dressing up clothes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's special needs are met well by the childminder who improves on her knowledge by attending courses such as maketon. She understands that children benefit if all adults work towards the same goals and communicates carefully with parents and professionals in order to provide for each child's specific needs in the best possible way.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning to respond to appropriate expectations for their behaviour because the childminder speaks with them sternly when they misbehave, so that they understand the need to modify their actions. Children are learning to work harmoniously, whilst respecting the needs of others, because the childminder has an intimate knowledge of their backgrounds and tactfully explores and explains difficult situations. The childminder has effective methods of communicating with older children so that they conform to the expected standards within the household. The childminder often takes opportunities to praise and encourage children so that their self-esteem is raised accordingly.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's continuity of care is enhanced by the childminder who puts into practice the systems learnt on a relationship course. Although she is not keeping a record of children's activities, she speaks with parents on a daily basis informing them about anything relevant. Parents give all necessary written permissions, for example, for putting on sun cream and taking photographs

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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 so that children's welfare is maintained. Children flourish in the childminder's care and parents write to say that they are pleased with her diligent, reliable, flexible approach which enables children to receive the highest quality care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's security and development is enhanced because the childminder has a commitment to continual improvement. For example she undertakes courses on subjects such as child protection, special needs, development checks and relationships with parents. Children receive appropriate attention from the childminder who ensures that the premises are safe and also liaises with other childminders to exchange good practice ideas. However, occasionally older children's enjoyment and ability to take an active part in the setting is limited by the organisation of the resources on offer, for example sometimes the childminder provides toys in the garden which are more suited to younger children.

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Organisation

The childminder has a number of policies and procedures which work in practice to promote children's welfare and abilities, some of which she is in the process of up-dating. She is displaying her registration certificate as required and ensures that insurances are sufficient. Although the childminder stores her documentation downstairs in the living room, she uses the paperwork on a daily basis, and is aware of the importance of confidentiality.

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Organisation

The provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to keep children's records up-to-date and to ensure that parents are aware of current procedures. She now revisits the information held on children on a regular basis to ensure that they reflect their present circumstances and liaises with parents daily so that children's security and continuity of care is enhanced. The childminder was asked to ensure that her child protection statement is sufficient to safeguard children. This she has now up-dated according to her knowledge gained on the training course.

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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

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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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

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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): • ensure a clear passage by the exits so that children do not trip over hazards • consider how to extend children's learning and understanding further, for example by using the Birth to three matters framework • organise the garden so that all children play with suitable, age appropriate activities.

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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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