Slindon CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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125994 Unique Reference Number 14 August 2006 Inspection date Margaret, Ann Sandfield Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 was registered in 1998. She lives with her husband and three school age children in the town of Tonbridge. The whole of the ground floor and her sons' first floor bedroom is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local parks, library, Angel Leisure centre and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time. She is currently minding four children part time.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is positively promoted. Children enjoy a tidy and clean environment, which is ventilated and is of a suitable temperature. The childminder cleans toys, equipment and resources to ensure children's good health is well maintained. Children are generally expected to wash their hands before having any food or drinks. However, the childminder forgot to remind them before snack time, which does not support children's good health. Children wash their hands after messy play and going to the toilet. She also follows good personal hygiene routines herself, providing a good role model for children. In the main routines prevent the spread of infection and enable all children in the care of the childminder to remain healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with drinks of fruit juice throughout the morning. Most snacks are healthy, for example, the children are offered a choice of fruit or rice cakes at snack time. All food and drink is provided according to dietary needs and parent's wishes. Children are given a great deal of encouragement to learn to enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables. They plant vegetables in plant pots and take them home until they are ready to eat, when they have grown.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular access to vigorous outdoor play in the garden and through daily outings to the local parks, weather permitting. This ensures children are starting to learn the importance of exercise in promoting their good health. The childminder checks the decking and cleans up any mess the dog has made before children play outside. The cat and dog are regularly wormed and have flea treatment. The family pets also have annual booster injections. The dog is kept away from the children as he gets 'too excited' and the cat chooses to stay outside most of the time. The childminder records all medication administered to children and provides parents with an explanation of her procedures for the care of sick children. The childminder has a first aid box in the house, which contains basic equipment to treat a child appropriately should they have an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Although the childminder has not attended the Birth to three training, the childminder is very experienced in caring for young children and babies. She supports their growth, development and emotional wellbeing competently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a warm and welcoming environment. Children's welfare is safeguarded both in the house and on outings, as the childminder takes positive steps to prevent them from coming to any harm. Routines help protect children from coming to any harm. The garden is secure and fully fenced. Children are unable to leave the premises unaccompanied. The childminder provides a safety gate to prevent younger children unexpectedly gaining access to the stairs or areas of the house not for their use and all sockets are covered. Children can play on and with the equipment safely. Toys and resources are regularly checked and any broken ones are mended or thrown away.

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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's well-being is safeguarded. The childminder has appropriate accident reports to record any injuries a child might receive whilst in her care. These are recorded on individual pages for each child to safeguard the confidential nature of the report. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and a good understanding of child protection issues, including who to contact.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop their self-esteem and confidence well, because the childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of how to promote all children's learning and development. Children are developing in all areas very effectively. Although she has not undertaken any training in meeting the needs of children very young children, it is evident that she has a great deal of experience in meeting their needs and promoting all areas of their care. Children are developing in all areas very effectively.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a stimulating range of age appropriate activities and the children receive a great deal of consistent caring support and encouragement. Children have regular opportunities for art and craft activities, for example, drawing picture and using stencils. They also have daily opportunities to play on a variety of outdoor equipment in the garden, weather permitting. They are regularly taken on walks to a variety of local parks and other places of interest in the community, including the sports centre. This helps children to develop their confidence and social skills and promotes their physical dexterity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are appropriately challenged and exceptionally well supported. The childminder is constantly offering the children different choices of activities to stimulate them and maintain their interest. The children play together well, pretending to go shopping with their babies and buy groceries from the shop. The childminder provides additional support to maintain the children's interest and make the activity a very positive experience for them. She helps them understand the different groceries and how to use the till to add up their total cost and pay for them with a credit card. The childminder talks to children affectionately all the time and gives them lots of praise and encouragement. She is asking them open-ended questions and re-enforcing and extending their language. The childminder cuddles the baby and gives her lots of hugs and kisses. She encourages the children to reflect on and talk about their play and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

experiences, which they did enthusiastically and knowledgeably. As a result, all children are able to make the very most of their time with the childminder and their development is promoted exceptionally well, enabling them to reach their full potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very settled happily into the homely, welcoming environment as the childminder makes them feel very wanted and valued. She meets their individual and group needs very effectively. Children confidently make choices as they are offered a range of activities. Children can also select their own from those stored in the room and the childminder suggests new activities. The childminder provides toys to stimulate the baby.

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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 The children understand the childminder's expectations and, as a result, their behaviour is exemplary. They are polite and well mannered and remember to say 'please' and 'thank you'. The childminder is a good role model. She demonstrates how she uses positive methods for managing their behaviour. She is consistently giving them lots of praise and encouragement and responds to them warmly and with a great deal of affection, especially the baby, giving her a sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder knows the children and their families extremely well. She is sensitive to their individual needs, wants and interests as she creates effective partnerships with their parents. The childminder uses a variety of ways to exchange information with parents and parents have completed detailed records regarding their children's needs, including any additional needs. She does not complete contact books for parents, but provides individual scrap books showing photographs of children participating in outings/activity, which children eventually take home. This helps parents to share in their child's play experiences and routines. She also talks to the parents whenever they wish. There is written information for parents. The childminder is unaware of the new 2005 complaints regulation and procedures or the registering body's current contact details. All children have equal access to a range of play materials, including multi-cultural toys

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and resources. The childminder treats all children with equal concern.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder provides a welcoming and well organised environment that meets children's needs. She uses her knowledge of the children to plan, deliver and evaluate the care she provides for children. The childminder strives to enhance the care she is providing for children and their families. Children are protected from persons not vetted because the childminder never leaves visitors alone with them. However, she does not currently make a note of when visitors call. Both she and her husband have appropriate criminal record clearances.

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Organisation

All required documentation is in place and is stored discreetly. The registration certificate is displayed in the porch for parents to see. Children's welfare is well supported by written records. She has personal information on children to ensure their needs are met effectively. She records the exact hours that children attend. 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 asked to obtain a first aid qualification and provide written information for parents. With the exception of her knowledge and understanding of how to contact the regulatory body, she has addressed all recommendations, which ensures children are kept safe.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration/last inspection.

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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 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 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): • improve knowledge and understanding of whom to contact in the event of a complaint to support children's safety • ensure children consistently follow suitable hygiene practices to prevent the spread of infection

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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