Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY318773 Unique Reference Number 16 November 2006 Inspection date Jane Wakelen 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 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 March, 2006. She lives with her partner in Gillingham, Kent. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under one for two days a week and her four grand children all under five years, at various times during the week. The childminder is able to walk to local schools and pre-schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Children's health is promoted because they play in a clean, well kept environment, where good hygiene procedures are in place. Children are told about the importance of washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating and are able to explain why this personal care is necessary. However, children use the same hand towel which does not protect against cross infection. The necessary documentation is available to record medication and written permission for the administration of medication will be obtained to promote children's well being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy eating because the childminder encourages children to have fresh fruit for snacks, such as satsumas' and offers a variety of different fruit to introduce children to unusual textures and tastes. The childminder uses the information obtained from the parents to meet children's individual dietary needs regarding food intolerances and preferences. Parents of younger children often provide their child's own food which is stored correctly.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have some opportunities to use the garden when the weather is dry, but cannot access any large play equipment, such as a climbing frame. The childminder occasionally uses the local park which has large equipment, but due to the ages of children attending this is not a regular outing, therefore, children are unable to practice or develop their large physical skills. Children gain skills in balance using the 'foot' stilts and enjoy using their bodies to play with the hula hoops. They have sit and ride toys and a paddling pool in the garden in the warm weather to benefit from fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a safe, clean environment where they are able to access their toys and resources from storage boxes or low tables. They are able to request alternative toys and activities, such as painting, which the childminder prepares for them taking into account their age and stage of development. All equipment is clean and well maintained and suitable for the children attending the childminders'. Children move freely between the conservatory and the hall way, making choices about what they want to play with whilst using their imagination, such as making tents or pretending to go shopping.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has carried out a visual risk assessment of her property and has put measures in place to ensure the safety of the children, such as a fire blanket near the kitchen and a stair gate on the bottom of the stairs. However, harmful cleaning materials are not made inaccessible which is a potential hazard and harmful to the children. The children are kept safe from unwanted visitors as the premises are secured by an electronic gate which can only be operated by the childminder using the intercom system. Although no written procedure is in place for the collection of children, the childminder discusses these arrangements with the parents at their initial visit.

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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 The childminder has a basic understanding of safeguarding children and understands the procedures to follow if she has any concerns regarding any children in her care. However, she has no written information regarding contact details or information, therefore not fully promoting children's well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are relaxed and feel welcome in the childminder's home. They move around freely making choices about what activity to choose or toy to play with and are able to independently select them from the available storage. Children choose from a satisfactory range of toys that are suitable for their age and stage of development. The older children are beginning to learn to play together and use their imagination acting out familiar roles, such as caring for the babies or going shopping. The younger children happily engage in their own play, but occasionally want to join in the older children's games which causes conflict. Although the childminder tries to occupy the younger children, their actions disrupts the game and makes the older children frustrated. The childminder does not always engage the younger children in meaningful play because of her limited knowledge of activities to extend their concentration and develop their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

understanding, such as the Birth to three framework. This results in younger children interrupting the older children's play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are offered a variety of activities organised by the childminder such as cooking and painting which children often request to do. The childminder provides support and guidance to the children, but occasionally misses opportunities to encourage children to take turns or share the toys fairly. Children benefit from the positive relationships with the childminder which help them settle easily within her home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have their individual needs met, such as routines of the day because the childminder ensures she has full information from parents regarding their personal care needs. Children feel valued because the childminder knows the children well and is sensitive to their needs, such as when the youngest child needs a cuddle because he is tired. Children have limited opportunities to learn about diversity in society as there are few toys or resources that reflect positive images of different cultures or disabilities. This impacts on their ability to extend their knowledge and understanding of differences between themselves and others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are confident and approach the childminder to have their needs met. The older children are beginning to gain an understanding about right and wrong and what behaviour is acceptable. However, this is not fully enforced as the childminder misses opportunities to promote positive behaviour and to explain why some behaviour is not acceptable, such as snatching toys or not sharing. The younger children often disrupt the older children's games and this causes conflict. This results in children showing unwanted behaviour or becoming upset.

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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 Partnership with parents is good. The childminder ensures she works with the parents to meet the individual needs of the children. She obtains all relevant information and ensures the parents have seen the necessary certificates. Children's daily routine and activities are discussed with parents at the end of the day to ensure continuity of care. However, consent for some aspects of care has not been obtained which results in children's well-being not being fully promoted.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's needs are met and their independence promoted because children are able to self-select resources and toys and take themselves to the toilet. They feel comfortable in the childminder's home and have their needs met because the childminder liaises with the parents to obtain all relevant information. Children's well-being and safety is promoted because the childminder ensures no un-wanted visitors can enter the house and permission for emergency medical treatment is obtained to ensure children remain safe. However, at the time of inspection the childminder was in breach of the conditions of her registration by caring for more children than she is registered for.

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Organisation

All required documentation is in place and contains the necessary information to meet the children's needs, although parents have not been asked for consent for some aspects of care, which does not fully promote children's welfare. The childminder understands the importance of confidentiality and ensures all documentation is stored securely. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider of 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 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): • obtain the government booklet regarding safeguarding children and ensure all relevant contact details are available • ensure all harmful substances are stored out of reach of children and made safe • obtain written consent from parents regarding some aspects of care, such as travelling in the car and permission to administer medication. Also implement policies to ensure parents are fully informed about the service and care being offered. • comply with conditions of registration, regarding the number of children who may be cared for at any one time

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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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