Oliver Tomkins Church of England Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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126440 Unique Reference Number 01 December 2006 Inspection date Melissa Tickner 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 1988. She lives with her partner and two adult sons in Staplehurst, Kent. The whole ground floor and a bedroom and bathroom on the first 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding four under five and two over five at different times. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a golden retriever.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of 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 are beginning to develop an appropriate awareness of being healthy through aspects such as regularly washing their hands. Individual hand towels are provided for hand drying to help avoid the spread of infection. Children are developing healthy eating habits as they are offered healthy snacks such as apple and banana. The childminder does not provide meals for children, but is aware of the importance of promoting healthy eating. Children are offered regular drinks to stay hydrated. Children benefit from physical activity outdoors in better weather, and local trips to the park. Children also take part in indoor physical activities. This helps children begin to develop an understanding that physical exercise contributes to a healthy lifestyle. All relevant medical and health documentation is in place and the childminder has a valid first aid certificate. These aspects ensure she is suitably equipped to deal with an

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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 mostly safe home environment; currently there are some minor hazards accessible in the bedroom and bathroom on the first floor which may present a risk to children. They have access to a reasonable range of age appropriate toys and resources, some of which are accessible to them. The home is clean and welcoming. The childminder promotes and maintains safety with children appropriately. For example, she ensures she supervises outdoor play and helps children up and down the stairs. 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, and when playing outdoors. The childminder has a satisfactory awareness of child protection issues, which helps her to safeguard children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and established in the childminder's care. They relate well to her and appear confident and contented. The childminder provides a simple range of age appropriate activities and toys for the children; a further range is stored in cupboards which children can ask for. Children's needs and routines are met and followed and they are cared for appropriately. For example the childminder chats to and praises the child present as she attempts a jigsaw puzzle, and they talk about the pieces she is fitting and the emerging picture she is creating. Although the childminder does not plan for any of the age groups of children attending, she tries to offer a variety of resources which are rotated regularly. Children are supported as they talk with the childminder about what they would like to do next. They respond to this, showing they are settled and happy. As a result of these aspects, children are able to enjoy and achieve whilst

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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 satisfactory. Children are treated and well cared for as individuals. Their needs and routines are met and they are cared for appropriately in a welcoming home environment. This helps children feel settled and well supported. They have access to a range of resources, some of which reflect the differences in society; this means children are able to begin to learn about diversity. Children are encouraged to behave well through the childminder's positive and consistent approach. She uses praise regularly and offers encouragement and support. For example she praises a child as she matches the correct pieces of a picture domino game. The childminder is responsive to children. As a result, they 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. Parents are offered daily verbal feedback. This helps ensure children's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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 environment, which meets children's needs appropriately. She has a clear set of documentation in place, which includes a service statement and a simple set of policies. She has not attended any courses to update and extend her knowledge. All required documentation is in place, with the exception of documentation relating to the complaints record. All other paperwork is up to date, signed, confidential and stored appropriately. The childminder maintains a reasonably organised approach to her childminding. However, completed police checks on her sons continue to remain outstanding, which means children are not fully protected from people not police checked. This is a legal requirement of all registered providers. 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 in June 2006, the childminder was set two actions. The childminder now understands her duty to notify Ofsted of any changes and the requirements set out in regulations. Although the childminder has completed relevant forms to notify Ofsted that her sons are now living at home, police checks remain outstanding for them both. Consequently this issue has arisen again at this inspection.

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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. 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): • ensure hazards in the bathroom and bedroom are made safe or inaccessible • ensure the required complaints record is in place and the policy makes reference to it • ensure relevant checks are carried out on all household members over the age of 16

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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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