Poverest Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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126792 Unique Reference Number 17 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 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?

She lives with her husband and two school-aged children in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. The whole 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 five children at any one time, and is currently minding five children under five on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends local toddler groups. The family has a guinea pig.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 good. Children are protected from infection by the childminder, who follows very healthy routines when changing nappies. She ensures that germs are not spread, by keeping her house clean and tidy and using anti-bacterial cleanser to wipe surfaces. The childminder contributes a great deal to children's good health, by putting her medication policy into practice and ensuring that parents are responsible for the administration of all medicines. Children are learning good hygiene practices when they wipe their hands before eating and remember to wash their hands with anti-bacterial soap after using the toilet, helped by the childminder who provides individual towels for each child. The childminder puts children into travel cots to sleep, when they are tired, where they have their own individual clean linen. She encourages children to take part in regular physical activity when they walk to school or to the park. Children also exercise in

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Helping children to be healthy

the garden where they play on a variety of apparatus, such as a slide and climbing frame.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat healthily because the childminder supplies them with nutritional meals and snacks. For example, they are generally offered a selection of fruit for snacks and often have yoghurts or fruit after a sandwich lunch. Children help themselves to a drink whenever they are thirsty from the suitable, age-appropriate mugs, which the childminder provides.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in welcoming, child-friendly, comfortable and clean premises, where the childminder uses the shared accommodation creatively, so that they are safe and secure both indoors and out. Children use suitable and age appropriate toys and equipment, which the childminder ensures are all in extremely good condition. For example, children spend periods of time extending their imaginations whilst playing with the high quality, tactile, wooden train set and garage. They also enjoy helping themselves to the variety of easily accessed toys stored in the play room. The childminder uses a variety of other strategies in order to protect children from harm, for example in the garden a safe grassed area is fenced where they play, and also the drains are covered to prevent dirty hot water scalding them. Indoors sockets are covered and children are prevented from harming themselves in the kitchen, because a stair gate is kept

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

across the entrance. Although the childminder's written policy is incomplete, their welfare is safeguarded extremely well by the childminder, who has a very good knowledge of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children quickly settle and become happy in the familiar surroundings, where they easily help themselves to toys and confidently explore and experiment in comfortable surroundings. For example, they enjoy playing together with playdough and enjoy undertaking creative work. Children are constantly gaining in self esteem, as they seek out toys and further their development. They are becoming successful in a number of different activities which promote

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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 learning in all areas. The childminder plans and organises stimulating and challenging games and encourages children to play with a broad range of toys, which help them to make decisions, and find out about their environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's communication skills are growing quickly, because the childminder is adept at engaging children in conversation; she encourages them to tell her about different experiences and asks appropriate questions to make children think and expand their memories. Children's intellectual development is enhanced by the childminder, who builds upon their interests by introducing projects to increase their knowledge and understanding. Children's social skills are enhanced when they accompany the childminder to toddler groups, where they mix and make friends with other children and adults. Children assimilate knowledge from the child-height posters, which are displayed in the playroom, and test their abilities with the childminder within the secure setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are highly valued, respected and included by the childminder, who puts her equal opportunities policy into practice by recognising and encouraging children's individuality and their potential. The childminder uses play activities and equipment, to offer children the opportunity to develop in an environment free from prejudice and discrimination.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have their specific needs met by the childminder, who seeks advice and works in close partnership with parents to make sure that she is providing the best care possible. For example, the childminder furthers her knowledge on how to care for children with hearing problems and autism, by taking appropriate courses.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to respond to realistic expectations for their behaviour, because the childminder appreciates their efforts and often gives them positive reinforcement and praise. For example, when they undertake a drawing and sticking exercise, she frequently says 'well-done'. Children respect the needs of others and learn to work harmoniously with them when they play together, for example when taking turns on the slide or playing creatively alongside each other with the playdough.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are secure, because their continuity of care is enhanced by the childminder, who works in partnership with parents and carers. Parents are extremely pleased with the provision, which enables their children to thrive in a fun and stimulating environment.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's security and development is improved by the childminder, who has a great deal of experience and continually builds on her knowledge and ability by attending available courses. Children progress well and their well being is enhanced, because the childminder gives high regard to facilitating their play and ensuring that children easily access a large range of age-appropriate toys from the playroom. Children are becoming confident and self assured,

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 because the childminder gives them lots of appropriate attention and interacts frequently by joining in and conversing about their games.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps her records up to date and her documentation neatly filed and well presented, so that she can provide a high quality service to enable children to reach their potential. Children's security is maintained, because the childminder is aware of the confidential nature of the information she holds and is careful when liaising and speaking with parents. Her policies and procedures work in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution.

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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 consider how disabilities can be reflected in the provision. She has now purchased a number of books depicting people with different disabilities, so that children's awareness is extended. The childminder was asked to ensure good hygiene practices are in place regarding hand washing, and she now ensures that each child has their own towel and can reach the hand basin when they go upstairs to wash their hands. The childminder has updated her complaints policy and displays a poster advising parents how to make a complaint, so that children's security is enhanced.

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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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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): • extend child protection policy

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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 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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