Haywood, Susanne Marie

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY257227 Inspection date 18 August 2005 Inspector Melissa Tickner

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and two sons aged four and one in Staplehurst, near Maidstone, Kent. 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 two children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five on a part time basis. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a cat.

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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 National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Young children are beginning to develop a satisfactory awareness of being healthy, through hand washing after toileting and outdoor play. However, they are not encouraged to wash their hands before eating a snack, which may expose them to germs. This may mean they are not developing a full awareness of being healthy. Children are developing healthy eating habits as they are offered daily fresh fruit, dried fruit, vegetables and bread sticks for snacks. Parents currently supply meals, but the childminder is happy to cater for children and offer them a range of healthy and varied meals. This ensures children are well nourished and developing an understanding of healthy eating. They have drinks made up in bottles, which are accessible to them. For example, after playing in the garden they come in for a drink, to which they can help themselves. This ensures they remain hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children delight in a good range of outdoor physical play opportunities. They persist at activities such as playing football, riding on bikes and digging in the sandpit. As a result, they are developing a good sense of enjoyment of physical play and are beginning to develop an understanding that physical exercise contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

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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 safe home environment. They have access to a satisfactory range of toys, which are organised to encourage children to make choices. Some areas of play provision are limited, which may hamper children's ability to enjoy all areas of play and learning. The childminder promotes and maintains safety with children appropriately. This happens in practice, for example, she supervises children closely when they are playing outdoors and discusses with them how to stay safe, such as not going near the covered pond or throwing the ball too high in the air, to help keep children safeguarded. This helps teach children to take care of themselves and keep them safe whilst in her care. The childminder has suitable systems in place for ensuring children's safety when on outings, although currently the car insurance does not include business use. This means the car is not suitably insured for childminding currently. The childminder has

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

a satisfactory awareness of child protection issues, however in some areas; she has only a basic awareness. This may hamper her ability to safeguard children as well as she possibly can.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled, and well supported in their play. They enjoy a good range of activities, in which they show enthusiasm and enjoyment. For example, they delight in playing 'shops' and taking turns to buy and sell at their shop. They enjoy playing a ladybird and 'big bad wolf' game, which involves taking turns, counting and matching opportunities. Children are encouraged to choose their activities and this is promoted through a reasonable range of accessible resources. For example, children choose a range of outdoor play resources and play at games they make up, for extended periods. As a result, children are enjoying a good range of play and learning opportunities and are able to enjoy and achieve throughout all their activities. Children are offered close support and encouragement by the childminder throughout their play. They are also given the opportunity to play independently. She is able to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

encourage, support them, and offer appropriate and clear explanations, for example when playing a game for the first time. The childminder supports and encourages the children in their activities closely. Because of all these aspects, children feel valued, secure and make progress whilst in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated and well cared for as individuals. Their needs are met well and they are cared for appropriately in a home from home environment. This helps children feel settled and well supported. They have access to a reasonable range of resources. However, few reflect the differences in society. This means children may not fully be learning about the diversity of our society. Children are well behaved. They are encouraged to share and take turns, and their behaviour is managed positively with a caring and kind manner. Children respond well to the methods used which shows they are feeling secure and valued. Children are beginning to learn about good behaviour and this helps contribute to building their self-esteem and confidence. There are appropriate methods used to work with parents - they are offered daily verbal feedback and a daily two-way contact book about their children's care. This

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Helping children make a positive contribution

helps ensure children's needs can be met and parents are able to receive information about their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder works from a well organised home, which meets children's needs appropriately. She has a clear and detailed set of documentation in place, which includes a range of policies. She has not attended any courses recently, but keeps her knowledge updated through books, meeting with professionals such as the

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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 Health Visitor and using the internet. She hopes to update her training in the future if possible. Most required documentation, including a first aid certificate and introduction to childminding practice certificate is in place, with the exception of permission for emergency treatment consent and valid business use insurance for the car. The childminder is aware of her duty to notify Ofsted of any relevant changes and maintains an organised approach to her minding. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was set an action and recommendations. The action was regarding notifying us of the birth of her son, which she did as soon as possible to ensure our records are kept up to date. The recommendations included considering how to extend knowledge of child development. At the time of the inspection the childminder had recently attended a parenting course but was unable to evidence this. The certificate is now kept in her childminding file for evidence. She has also been reading relevant childcare literature and making notes to keep, as well as liaising with her Health Visitor and using the internet to keep updated. She hopes to attend courses but as yet times have not been convenient. The childminder was also asked to ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible on the premises and available for inspection at all times. These are now kept together in a well organised file and updated as

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Improvements since the last inspection

appropriate. There is only one minor consent not in place, which means most required paperwork is now available. The childminder was asked to ensure written policies are clear and comprehensive. She has added to her policies to include those on special needs and behaviour management, and ensures these are available for parents to view. Lastly, the childminder was asked to increase the range of toys reflecting equal opportunities. This has not yet been completed, the childminder intends to do this and is aware of the kinds of resources she might need. This does mean however, that children may not be able to learn fully about the diversity of our society, and as a result this has been set again as a recommendation.

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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

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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 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 procedures for hand hygiene. • Develop knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. • Develop and increase the range of resources to promote gender free play and the diversity of our society. • Ensure all required paperwork is in place and available for inspection at all times.

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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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