Sears, Briony

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY296369 Inspection date 31 October 2005 Inspector Kay Bateson

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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 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 2004. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 2 and 5 months, in a 3 bedroom house in a residential area of Orpington, Kent. The home is within walking distance of local shops, schools, parks, library and transport links. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding; sleep facilities are upstairs in the spare bedroom and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder takes children to local toddler groups, parks, library and uses her car for minding purposes.

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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 tropical fish. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered to care for 3 children under 8 years at any one time and is currently minding 1 child under 5 years who attends on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they are learning the importance of good hygiene practices and personal care, through daily routines. They learn about good hygiene as they consistently wash hands after using the toilet and before eating. Babies are learning through the childminder following good procedures, as seen during nappy changing, before and after meal times. Children benefit from a healthy diet, of fruit snacks and freshly prepared meals. They acquire new tastes and are encouraged to develop good eating habits, as they sit together eating at the table with the childminder. They are learning about healthy eating through discussion with the childminder when they name and talk about the fruit they like. Children have plenty of drinks throughout the time with the childminder and are seen helping themselves when they eating or playing. Therefore, children

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Helping children to be healthy

are developing an awareness of the important benefit water and good eating habits have to their growing bodies. Children enjoy a good range of opportunities for physical play. The childminder fully supports their individual needs for rest and active play. They can use a variety of outdoor equipment with sufficient space to run about in the garden, as well as enough space indoors for playing on the floor with toys. Babies and young children have sufficient amount of naps and good encouragement to develop strong body control and skills. This is clear when children reach in and out of the toy box lifting toys out, draw with pens on the play mat, put shapes into an inset puzzle tray and move to music playing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy playing with the good range of safe toys in a warm, secure environment. The childminder pays good attention to protecting children from possible hazards in and outdoors. She fully supervises children at all times, especially when playing and asleep. She is very vigilant with the children and babies; as she is quick to distract them from putting crayons into their mouth and removes toys from the floor when they are in the their pathway. Therefore, the children are learning about keeping themselves safe and the importance of reducing accidents when playing. Children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted by the childminder's sound

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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 understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse, also who to contact for advice. Children are learning to hold hands when out; they wear restraints in car seats and buggies at all times. The childminder carries contact numbers on her person when out, has documentation ready to record accidents, and has all the necessary parental agreements in place. She agreed to improve her procedures for maintaining the safety of the children by ensuring the fire blanket is wall mounted and the storage of alcohol is inaccessible to children. This increases the safety of the children from any potential hazard and fire.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident, very interested and involved when playing with the good selection of toys provided by the childminder. They are able to make choices, select toys themselves and are learning to play harmoniously together. This is apparent when children play together using a drawing mat, the shape sorter and large inset puzzle. They receive equal attention from the childminder, who interacts with them very well. She actively joins in their play ideas and their conversations. She reinforces their talk by naming objects, describing the play and responding to the actions of babies. This encourages and develops the early conversation of children. Children enjoy exploring and playing with the toys the childminder provides that challenge and interests them. They like to shake or hit musical instruments that encourage dancing and body movement, as well as spending time comparing the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

sizes of dolls clothes to themselves. She provides many sensory opportunities for them to discover. This is apparent when children look through their transparent colour plate, taste food, explore interactive toys and handle different materials of the soft toys. Children benefit from the balance of activities the childminder provides. They have periods of active play and quiet rest times. They have regular opportunities to go to toddler groups where they learn important socializing skills and additional physical skills. Therefore, the childminder fully supports the individual learning needs of the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very happy and contented in the childminder’s home. They know where to find toys they can play with and are able to make choices when playing. They are making good firm relationships with each other and the childminder. This is apparent in the warm, mutual, affection observed between them when they play together, which ensures children feel safe and emotionally secure whilst away from their parents. Children are learning about taking turns and sharing when playing with each other. They benefit from the consistent praise and encouragement given by the childminder.

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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 They respond well to the requests of the childminder, who uses firm, fair, and sensitive methods for dealing with any inappropriate behaviour. Children are learning to use good manners when asking for things and when sharing toys with younger children. The childminder encourages children to use ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ words, also, by letting younger children share with the putting of shapes into the shape-sorter. This helps children learn about important social skills, as well as a good understanding of right and wrong. The parents of the minded children attending are satisfied with the quality of care provided. They benefit from the good working relationships fostered by the childminder, through her clear exchange of information. She keeps all contractual documentation, written agreements up to date and signed. She shares verbally any

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Helping children make a positive contribution

information about the child’s day and discusses any concerns when they arise. This ensures children are well looked after according to their wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel happy and at home due to the way the childminder organises the play space for children, with areas for quiet and active play. They have a balance of outdoor and indoor play experiences, with additional activities organised by the childminder to broaden their experiences, such as trips to toddler groups with younger children. The childminder manages the number of minded children alongside those of her family members well, giving equal attention to the different ages and needs. She keeps accurate records and agreements with parents; also very aware of the importance of keeping documentation and training up to date. She shares her comprehensive portfolio with parents giving them a very clear overview of the care on offer. She pays particular attention to attending training and workshops, increasing her knowledge in the ‘Birth to Three Matters’ framework. This ensures children will

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Organisation

have access to a good standard of care and learning activities that will support their individual abilities and skills. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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

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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 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 the safety of children by ensuring that alcohol is stored out of reach and that the fire blanket is permanently fixed in the kitchen.

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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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