Nash, Claire Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY289429 Inspection date 10 October 2005 Inspector Justine George

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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 lives with her husband and daughter aged two years. They live in a ground floor flat in Welling. All areas of the flat will be used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed patio garden available for outside play. The house is located within walking distance of the local schools, parks and other amenities. Household pets include a chinchilla and a Dalmatian dog.

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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 has been registered since April 2004. She is registered to care for three children under eight. She currently minds a six year old and three children over eight, one of which is minded before school only. Care is provided before and after school, and during school holidays.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a suitably clean and hygienic home. Suitable hygiene procedures are in place, however, hygiene with regards to the dog is not fully promoted. Children are encouraged to wash their hands after toileting, before eating, and wash their hands after messy play activities. Children have access to soap and water, clean towels are provided. Covers are used to protect table tops and children help to keep clean up after activities. They wipe and tidy away messy play, and as a result are developing a sense of responsibility. Children's health is fostered as the childminder is aware of her responsibilities in obtaining written parental permission before administering medication. Although written parental consent is not obtained should children need emergency medical treatment. The childminder has documents in place to record medicinal products, if required. Children are further protected against infection as they are excluded if

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Helping children to be healthy

unwell, they do not share personal belongings such as potties, and all waste is suitably disposed of. Children are fed in line with parents wishes. They finish the contents of their lunch box, so as not to spoil their evening meal. Children have their own drinks and are given extra fluid if needed. The childminder is willing to provide food for children and would liaise with parents to find out children's dietary requirements. Children have opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They occasionally use the garden or local parks, and they walk home from school. Provision is organised for children to play and relax comfortably. They relax on the sofa's to read their school book, or complete homework using the dining table and suitable chairs. Floor space is clear and offers children room to play comfortably. As a result, children's surroundings are suitable and accommodate their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are warmly welcomed after the school day, they are greeted and taken back to the childminder's home. The home is safe and welcoming for minded children. Children have access to a good selection of safe toys and provisions. Resources are stored at floor level where children can self-select resources promoting independence and choice. Children are supervised and can be seen and heard at all times. Procedures are in place to prevent children from leaving the home unattended. Children benefit from the childminders commitment in keeping her first aid knowledge

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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 up-to-date. Records are in place to record accidents if they occur, and parents would sign entries made. There are good rules in place to promote children's road safety which children are familiar and comply with. During the walk home from school, children stay close to the childminder and ask which way will be going home. The children's route home is thought out to further promote safety, smaller crossings are used rather than busy road crossings. As a result, children are learning about how to keep themselves safe, and develop awareness of road safety. However, on occasions, children are not collected from the childminder's home, but walk a short distance to meet their parent or carer. This is unsupervised and may impact on their safety. Children's well being is suitably fostered as the childminder has good knowledge of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

possible signs and symptoms of abuse. She is aware of her responsibility in referring any concerns and would contact the boroughs childminding services to seek advice. But, the childminder is not fully aware of the correct referral procedures of contacting social services and Ofsted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and enter the home confidently. They are aware of the routine for completing homework, then they can relax and participate in various activities. They can self select toys from the open chest in the living room allowing them to make independent choices and develop their own play. They have a good selection of resources to choose from such as books, games and the play station. Children further benefit as the childminder plans exciting activities such as model making and leaf printing. Children sit together in the dining room and listen to the childminder reading the instructions for making Disney character models. Children follow the instructions and are independent in making the mixture. Along the way, mixtures end up too runny, or start to set too quickly, this is used as a learning opportunity and the childminder talks with the children about what's happening and how to rectify the situation. As a result,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children really enjoy the activity and lots of learning takes place. Children learn about changes in materials and develop problem solving skills. Children make mistakes and learn that it's ok when things don't go to plan. Children participate in a leaf printing activity. They mix up different colour paints independently and paint leaves to print on paper. The childminder introduces language by talking about painting the veins on the leaves as this is what makes the pattern. Once the activity is finished, children help in cleaning the table, taking responsibility for their own actions in creating and clearing up mess.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident in the home and have good self esteem. The childminder is

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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 aware of their background and helps children deal with any issues by talking with them and sensitively answering any questions they may have. The childminder treats the children with equal concern and spends individual time with them, completing homework tasks and ensuring their needs are met. Children have equal access to the resources. Toys include books and puzzles, which reflect positive images of culture, special educational needs and prevent gender stereotyping. As a result, children are developing awareness of others through everyday play experiences. The childminder has no direct experience of working with children with special educational needs. If she was to provide care, she would seek training. If she had any concern's about children's development, she would share them with the family,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

sensitively. Partnership with parents is satisfactory. The childminder's shares all policies and procedures about her provision, verbally. Regular information about how children have been is also shared verbally, on a daily basis. Children relate well to each other, and the childminder. Positive relationships have developed, children play cooperatively together and help younger children by playing with her so the childminder can spend individual time with others. Children receive praise to promote positive behaviour, and should inappropriate behaviour occur, children receive explanations to develop their understanding. The childminder has devised written rules to share with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are suitably cared for as the childminder has completed all training requirements including first aid. She keeps her knowledge up-to-date by reading materials sent from the NCMA and Ofsted. She is aware of some of the recent amendments to the standards, although not all information is kept to refer to. The childminder has not had any changes in circumstances since registration and remains suitable, as are other adults in the home. Children benefit as the childminder organises her time and space to meet the needs of the children. Children are taken to and collected from school, then go back to the childminder's home, or occasionally to the park. Children have access to all areas of the home, using the living and dining room mainly. The childminder spends individual time with the children helping them to complete homework tasks. Children play together participating in various creative and play activities until it is time to go home.

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Organisation

The childminder has all regulatory documentation in place. The attendance register is filled in on a daily basis, ensuring ratios are adhered to. The childminder has all details in place about children and parents, enabling her to contact parents easily should an emergency arise. Parents are also aware that children may be left with the childminder's mother in the event of an emergency, in which they have signed consent forms. Parents are in formed of policies and procedures, verbally at the start of the child's placement. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom care is provided.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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 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): • improve hygiene procedures with regard to the dog • obtain written parental permission to seek emergency medical attention • update knowledge of child protection referral procedures • improve children's safety with regard to collection procedures

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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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