Childminder in Kent

Inspection report for early years provision

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151585 Unique Reference Number 13 September 2006 Inspection date Lesley Anne Cannon 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 has been registered since 2001. She lives with her husband and two children. They live in a house in Larkfield; there are shops, parks and schools within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor and one upstairs bedroom is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is a member of the local approved childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from a varied and balanced diet where regular meal times are maintained. Children are offered a variety of snacks and drinks are made available. This is an effective way of maintaining a balanced diet. Children learn personal hygiene skills through regular daily routines and understand why they keep their hands clean. Older children are able to access the toilet themselves helping them to be self sufficient. The childminder is effective in preventing

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Helping children to be healthy

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 from cross infection and informs parents of the procedures through her service statement. This helps maintain the welfare of the children in her care. Children have frequent opportunity for exercise outside. They are motivated by equipment available helping to build their confidence. They also have regular outings to the park where larger equipment is available to extend their physical skills and develop their confidence. During school holidays children participate in themed days, for example a pirate day, and have outing to the coast. This helps children to understand and develop a healthy life style.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a well organised environment where hazards have been addressed, such as socket covers and cupboard locks. This allows children to move around safely, whilst having the opportunity to take risk and face new challenges in safe surroundings. Some resources are selected and displayed, but children still have freedom to choose an activity from low storage encouraging their independence. Resources are checked regularly and damaged or broken items are removed, preventing injury to the children. Children have access to the garden where they can access a variety of outdoor activities. These are checked before use to ensure children's safety. The childminder has systems in place to maintain the children's safety when going out, using buggies and car seats when needed. Safety around travel in cars and when out walking is reinforced with verbal instructions for children, giving them the ability to understand some

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of the risks and how they can look after themselves. This helps children to explore and investigate their surroundings safely. The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection procedures and the need to safeguard children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are motivated as they are able to move around in a relaxed environment, they have freedom to select activities and resources promoting independence. The childminder makes sure challenging toys and activities are available for the age and developmental stage of children present. For example, the preschool children present today had a simple construction activity available enabling them to build and see an end product. Children are motivated to experiment with a varied range of activities that promote skills in all areas of learning. The childminder supports children as they experiment with activities. For example, when a child was doing a peg puzzle the childminder used words of encouragement that the child understood enabling the child to complete the puzzle unaided. Whilst playing, children were encouraged to try out new language and extending their sentences, this allows children to experiment with language

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

in a safe setting, building their self confidence. Children also have access to a broad range of creative activities, for example, free painting, cutting and sticking relating to shapes and colours. They use these skills to produce some structured work, for example a family birthday card. This helps children with hand eye coordination and gives them the opportunity to expand their imaginative and creative skills. Children develop close relationships with their peers and are confident in their relationship with the childminder who encourages progress through care and interaction.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a positive attitude towards diversity, and children have a good selection of resources that reflect those in society, i.e. play people representing both young and old in the family structure. Children that attend are valued as individuals and encouraged to feel good about themselves. They are happy to bring toys from home; this helps them to develop a sense of belonging. They are encouraged to share activities together helping them to understand other needs. Children receive positive praise and encouragement enabling them to learn right from wrong in a safe environment. This helps children to develop their social skills and encourages interaction with their peers. Children benefit from the strong working relationship the childminder has with the parents. Daily discussions ensure routines are maintained providing children with continuity of care. Although there are no children attending with special needs,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the childminder is forward thinking how she can support and assist the children and their parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder holds current child care qualification and uses her knowledge and experience to provide a good service for the children in her care. To maintain this, the childminder needs to keep her training up to date. Children are relaxed and comfortable in their surroundings, helped by the childminder’s welcoming approach and her obvious enjoyment of the children's company. Children benefit from a well organised environment, where it is recognised that all children need their own space and time. This means children are relaxed and feel free to choose and play with what interests them.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains a service statement that is available to parents. This reflects how care is provided day to day for minded children. Children benefit from clear methods that are in place for sharing information; this takes place on a daily basis at the beginning or end of each day. The childminder keeps information and relevant documents up to date, which helps maintain continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has attended a short course on special educational needs and has updated her records to include emergency contact numbers and GP details.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints 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 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): • develop current child care practices by extending training courses.

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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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