Childminder in Kent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY292752 Inspection date 20 May 2005 Inspector Annie Williams

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and three school aged children. They live in a house in Canterbury, Kent. The property is situated within easy reach of local shops, schools, parks and pre-schools. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children after school and a baby during the day. She drives 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 a dog, a cat, a parrot and a rabbit. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Hygiene procedures are generally promoted in a clean environment. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene through regular hand washing, for example, after handling the pets or using the toilet. Strategies to ensure good hygiene practices in order to prevent the spread of infection are not consistently implemented; for example, towels are shared and there is no nappy changing mat. Parents provide the food for the children with written or verbal details of children's requirements; as a result children's dietary requirements are met. Children receive regular drinks throughout the day such as milk, water and sugar free squash to help keep them healthy. Older children occasionally enjoy walking the dog and weekly visits to the park. Babies acquire new physical skills with encouragement; for example, the childminder places toys slightly out of their reach to encourage babies to reach and

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Helping children to be healthy

bottom shuffle. Overall children receive insufficient opportunity to become involved in rigorous physical exercise to contribute to their physical well being. Children's medical details are mostly recorded to help keep them healthy. However, a readily accessible first aid box is not available to help contribute to their well being should an accident occur. Not all equipment for baby care is in place; for example, babies sleep in the car seat or pushchair and are fed and changed on the lounge floor, which cannot be quickly and hygienically cleaned.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises are secure. Monitoring of the provision, cleaning and checking toys and equipment, a satisfactory knowledge of child protection, and procedures for the arrival and collection of children promote safety within the home. Children learn about staying safe through role play and house rules, for example, tidying up toys strewn on the floor to avoid accidents and talking about fire safety. However, the fire blanket is not readily accessible to help keep the children safe in the event of a fire. Outside the home children learn about safety on outings for example holding onto the pushchair as they walk. Procedures for outings are satisfactory; children's details are taken out in a folder to enable the childminder to respond appropriately should an emergency occur.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Babies are encouraged to find a voice through positive interactions with the

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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 childminder, and are rewarded with smiles, claps and 'hoorays!' as they coo and babble. They are encouraged to acquire new physical skills, for example, the childminder moves toys just out of the reach of the babies to encourage them to reach and develop movement such as bottom shuffling. Babies clearly enjoy music and respond with squeals of excitement to the sound of the musical toys provided. They explore the environment through mouthing, pulling and banging toys together. However, they do not yet have access to a wide range of creative opportunities that enable them to explore a variety of materials and further develop their senses. The equipment available for babies does not meet all of their needs, for example there is no high chair or cot; as a result they cannot be actively involved at meal times and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

learn to feed themselves and freely explore their food. Older children attending the setting have access to low level shelving, due to the organisation of the childminder; thus enabling them to independently self-select toys. They receive opportunities from the childminder to be creative; such as, making cakes, playing with dough and painting a large box to make a pretend train.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are content and settled in the care of the childminder. Praise and encouragement helps them learn about positive behaviour, for example, the childminder claps and says 'hooray' to babies’ achievements. Positive strategies such as rewards, time out, and clear explanations for unwanted behaviour helps older children understand about boundaries. Daily verbal communication from the childminder, keeps parents basically informed about their child's care, learning and welfare. However, lack of contracts does not formally ensure business arrangements and parental permission for all aspects of the service; for example, there is no written permission for transporting children in a vehicle. Positive attitudes between children are encouraged by the childminder; as a result they share and help each other; such as, by tidying away and giving out drinks and biscuits. Resources to further develop

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Helping children make a positive contribution

positive attitudes and help children find out about different people in our society are limited. Children clearly have a good relationship with the childminder and respond happily; for example, babies respond with smiles and babbles. Visits into the local community to help children find out about the local and wider world are not yet incorporated into the routine.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides. The day is organised to include quiet times, meal times and occasional active times. Consequently children are secure and settled. Children generally move around freely and safely between the lounge and conservatory. Full use is not yet made of the outdoor area. Some documentation and a suitable person check for the safe and efficient management of the setting requires attention for example the attendance register is not maintained daily, some child record forms are incomplete and contracts are not in place. As a result children's welfare, care and learning are not

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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 best promoted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report since registration.

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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 the first aid box is readily accessible to contribute to children being healthy should an accident occur • provide more opportunities to promote children's large physical development and for young children to be creative and explore with their senses • increase the range of equipment for babies; for example, a high chair so that they can be involved in feeding times; a changing mat so that nappies are changed on a surface that can be hygienically cleaned; a cot so that babies can sleep comfortably without disturbance • provide more opportunities for children to find out about the local and wider world through outings into the local environment.

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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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