Steel, Jane Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY330112 Inspection date 24 July 2006 Inspector Claire, Alexandra Parnell

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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 lives, with her partner and two young children, in an extended two bedroom terraced house in a quiet road in Sidcup. Children use all of the ground floor of the house for their play space together with the safely enclosed back garden. The property is situated within walking distance of local shops, schools and pre-schools. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight. Currently she cares for one pre-school child on a full time basis.

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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 is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about the importance of personal hygiene due to the good practice of the childminder who encourages washing hands before eating and after toileting, wiping noses and washing faces. Children are protected from cross-infections due to the use of their own flannels and towels. Children are cared for by the childminder when they are ill but only if they are not infectious. Children's ongoing health needs are promoted well due to the appropriate practices and recording of accidents and medication administration Children benefit from healthy options of snacks, drinks and meals, promoting their understanding of healthy eating. The childminder effectively uses information gained from the parents regarding children's likes, dislikes and dietary requirements to meet their dietary needs. Children are encouraged to taste new foods to enhance their appetites. Children take part in regular rigorous activities to promote and extend their physical

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Helping children to be healthy

development and skills. Children are encouraged to walk to and from school as well as making regular trips to the park to use additional space and equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a clean and well maintained environment that is regularly assessed for potential hazards to the children by the childminder. The children are well supervised and are aware of the places that they can play, such as not going up stairs due to the lack of window locks on the upper floor. The premises are secure ensuring children cannot leave the house or garden unattended. Children have access to a good range of suitable equipment, resources and activities that are relevant to their age and stage of ability. Children learn about keeping small items of toys away from younger children as they can choke. Children use appropriate equipment such as car seats in the childminder's car to promote their safety. The childminder discusses their suitability with parents before using them. Children do have access to an uncoiled hose in the garden which can be a potential hazard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about their safety and the safety of others in the event of a fire due to the thorough evacuation procedures promoted by the childminder. Great thought has been put into identifying the hazards that can be a danger in such events, such as the busy road to the front of the property.

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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 Children learn about road safety whilst they walk to and from school, talking about good practices of crossing roads and identifying other children who are not crossing roads safely. Children's welfare and protection is promoted well due to the childminder's knowledge of local procedures and by attending recent training to update her knowledge of child protection issues. Children are not given unsupervised access to un-vetted persons whilst in the childminder's care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder, interacting with different ages of children and choosing what they would like to play with from a good range of relevant activities for their age and stage of development. Children make choices during the day as to what they want to do, by the childminder giving them a list of activities or places to go. Children's individual needs are met due to the childminder having a great understanding of their personalities, characteristics and preferences. Children are enticed to participate in different, more stimulating activities rather than allowing them to watch television, which would be the children's preference. Children take part in regular trips to places of interest and have group activities arranged such as football games to widen their experiences and extend their social skills. Children's achievements are carefully monitored and shared with parents. The

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder records events using text and photographs to show an awareness for children's development. The childminder has some understanding of The birth to three matters framework but does not use it to promote the child's ongoing development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are promoted due to the childminder's encouragement for children to use a wide range of activities that positively reflects diversity in today's society. The childminder introduces celebrations within children's meals and routine to promote cultural festivals. Although the childminder does not have experience of caring for children with disabilities or behavioural needs, she is willing to care for children with special needs and is aware of the importance to gain relevant information to offer the appropriate care. Children learn about right and wrong with the childminder. They are encouraged to use good manners and are encouraged to participate in social situations learning to share and take turns. The behaviour management statement doesn't reflect the good practice shown by the childminder when discussing both acceptable and unwanted behaviour with children. The childminder emphasises praise and recognition of

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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 positive behaviour within her childminding practice but the statement emphasises unwanted behaviour. Children have consistent strategies, both at home and the setting due to the exchange of relevant effective information between the childminder and parents. Parents have access to a good range of written and verbal information about the service of care that their children receive. Parents are encouraged to give written consent for a variety of care issues to ensure the childminder has authorisation to carry such duties out. However, consent for taking children swimming will need to be obtained for future swimming activities. The childminder gains relevant information about children's home circumstances to ensure that they can talk openly about concerns, building their confidence to deal with difficult situations. The children are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

only allowed to leave with authorised people who are known to the childminder and have legal access to them. Parents have access to a complaints policy with relevant information about how to report concerns to Ofsted.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who has relevant clearance to allow unsupervised access to children. She has attended many different courses to further develop and promote her services in child care. Children are very settled and familiar with the childminder's routine due to the subtle encouragement and practices of care shown by the childminder. Children make themselves at home and are confident to ask for additional activities. Children's attendance is recorded but not always accurately for the day that they attend. All children's records and documentation is recorded and kept securely. The childminder is aware of the importance to keep information about children confidential and will only share this with authorised people. Therefore promoting children's ongoing welfare. Overall, 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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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 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): • initiate the use of The birth to three matters framework • review the behaviour management statement to emphasise positive behaviour

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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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