Carney, Mrs Sarah Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY331469 Inspection date 06 June 2006 Inspector Vanessa Wood

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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 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 2006. She lives with her husband and four young children in the village of Leigh near Tonbridge. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house and the upstairs bathroom is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children at any one time and is currently minding two children before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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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 family has two dogs and two guinea pigs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which promotes their health and well-being. Daily outside activities help children develop control of their bodies, for example, the childminder walks with the children to school and back every day and if the weather is good they stop at the village green and play badminton or cricket. Children begin to understand about being healthy as they know that washing their hands after using the bathroom and playing in the garden removes germs and helps to keep them well. Children benefit from a healthy diet, as the childminder involves them in their choice of food. They can choose from a selection of healthy snacks such as different fruits and they can help themselves from jugs of prepared orange, lemon or blackcurrant squash. The childminder encourages children to drink plenty, especially in warm weather to prevent dehydration. All children's dietary requirements are recorded and

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Helping children to be healthy

their likes and dislikes are taken into consideration.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. Space is limited, but the childminder has organised the environment so that children can move around safely. They have easy access to toys and resources appropriate for their age and stage of development. Resources are regularly checked to ensure there are no broken parts that could harm a child. Children learn the importance of not leaving small toys around that might harm younger children. Children's safety in the home has been considered and most hazards have been made safe, such as, putting stair gates at the top and bottom of the stairs and ensuring all chemical substances in the kitchen are behind locked doors. However, the childminder is aware that the banisters on the upstairs landing and the garden fence have not been made sufficiently safe and this compromises children's safety. The childminder has an

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding of child protection issues and how to report concerns, which promotes children's well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children arrive happily, they are confident and quickly make themselves at home. Children relate well to the childminder and her children and form close relationships with their peers and adults. This means they feel comfortable and valued and are learning valuable social skills. Toys and resources are readily available and children show independence and make choices about the activities they want to play with. Children benefit from well thought out craft activities that the childminder plans for

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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 each day, such as, making necklaces from beads. Children also enjoy spontaneous play when they use their imagination and are able to develop their ideas with good support from the childminder. Older children are also able to relax in front of the television while they have their snack when they come home from school.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children receive a warm welcome and thrive as they understand they are valued and respected. The childminder knows them well and treats them as individuals helping them to learn about the wider world through play and organised activities. Children with differing needs are welcomed and fully included and supported with sensitivity. Children's behaviour is good; they play happily together, sharing and taking turns and showing consideration for others. Children are learning to manage their behaviour appropriately in a supportive environment and have devised their own set of house rules. Daily exchange of information and a commitment to work in partnership with parents supports developing relationships and ensures children receive continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home and at ease within the setting. However, space in the home is limited and some safety issues in the home and garden compromise children's safety. Children are confident and self assured, this means that they are able to initiate and extend their learning and play. Well planned activities contributes to valuable experiences for children. Policies and procedures developed by the childminder are used effectively and promote children's welfare, care and learning. However, the new complaints procedure has not been implemented. All policies and procedures are shared with parents to ensure they are well informed of the care their children receive. The childminder has a positive attitude to keeping her knowledge of children's development up-to-date. 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 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): • develop systems for identifying all risks both indoors and outdoors and ensure all hazards are sufficiently addressed • ensure parents are made aware of the new complaints procedure

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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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