Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY269373 Unique Reference Number 28 November 2006 Inspection date Stephanie Graves 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children, one aged eight and the other 16 months, in Hextable, Kent. The whole of the ground floor, the landing and one upstairs bathroom are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available 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 two children, one full time and the other before and after school as well as during school holidays. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children and attends various local toddler groups. The family has three pet cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding association (NCMA).

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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 are provided with experiences, which help to develop their knowledge and understanding of good health issues. For example, they are encouraged to wash their hands regularly and clean their teeth. The childminder keeps the appropriate accident and medication records to promote children's health needs and these are shared with parents. Effective procedures help to reduce the risk of cross infection, including the use of appropriate cleaners on surfaces and equipment, supplying individual towels for hand drying and ensuring any children with contagious illnesses do not attend. Children enjoy plenty of physical activity as they visit a range of toddler groups and activity centres throughout the week. They are able to sleep or rest in comfortable surroundings which helps to promote their sense of well being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered frequent drinks and encouraged to make healthy choices regarding the food they eat. Packed lunches are currently provided by parents and the childminder talks to children about eating healthier options, such as raw carrot, first. A sample menu is provided and promotes healthy eating. For example, breakfast consists of cereal, yoghurt and fruit and other meal options include granary rolls with various fillings, jacket potatoes, cheese on toast and a range of meat and vegetables. Children talk about their favourite foods and are heard to make comments, such as, 'I always like ham sandwiches but sometimes I eat one but I don't eat two'. The childminder works with parents to ensure children's dietary needs are addressed.

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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 generally safe, secure environment and are well supervised at all times. There is plenty of room for them to move around and play within safe boundaries. Safety measures help to keep children from harm, although, some potential hazards have not been fully considered. These include the accessibility of some products in the bathroom, which could compromise children's safety. Toys and equipment are checked regularly for safety. They are easily accessible and appropriate for the needs of the children attending. The furniture and equipment helps to promote an accessible and stimulating environment. Written consents from parents help to keep children safe, although the childminder has not considered gaining permission for higher risk activities, including swimming or the use of inflatable resources, such as, bouncy castles. Children are learning the importance of helping to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

They know that they must hold the buggy when out walking with childminder to keep themselves safe by the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well cared for due to effective procedures, which promote their welfare and safety at all times. For example, the childminder has a written plan to be followed in the event of an emergency. She also has an emergency evacuation procedure, which she practises with the children. They know that when she rings the bell they have to 'go out but we are just pretending'. The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues, although she has not updated her knowledge to current requirements.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled, make themselves at home and enjoy their time with the childminder. They enjoy and achieve because they can move around and make choices from a range of freely accessible toys, resources and activities. These include small world sets, construction, art and craft activities, interactive toys, books and puzzles. Outdoor experiences are also promoted with a range of equipment available, including ride on toys and a slide. Children use their imaginations as they play, because the childminder provides them with appropriate toys and experiences, including a range of role play items. They enjoy interacting with the childminder's own daughter and often talk about what they are doing as they play. For instance they explain the 'baby' doll laughs and 'cries as well'. The childminder understands the developmental learning needs of children of all ages. She has obtained the Birth to three matters framework,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

so that play opportunities can be adapted to meet the needs of any babies and young children she may care for in the future.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoys books and stories and can describe what is going to happen next as they follow a sequence of events. The childminder encourages them to think and respond by asking questions as she reads. Children happily discuss their favourite activities and interests, including going to the 'rumble and tumble' activity group. They are heard to make comments, such as, 'mummy got a flat tyre again' and 'when I was a baby, I was this big' as they communicate about their home lives. The childminder provides the necessary experiences to ensure children's emotional, physical social and intellectual capabilities are well promoted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed, acknowledged and treated with equal concern. They demonstrate a strong sense of belonging as they move around and make themselves at home. They are settled and self assured because the childminder attentively promotes their individual needs. Toys and resources promote positive images of diversity and children have opportunities to learn about the wider world. This is because the childminder frequently takes them on outings to parks, the library, on shopping trips and to the local toddler and activity groups. This means their awareness of the similarities and differences between themselves and others is well promoted. It also means that children have a developing knowledge of the local environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and are very respectful towards the childminder and her own children. They learn right from wrong, because the childminder is a good role model. She encourages and praises children regularly to help promote their confidence and self esteem and uses positive reinforcement strategies to encourage their good behaviour. A list of house rules helps children learn what is expected of them. Children benefit from consistency of care, because the childminder works closely with parents to meet their needs. Contact notes are shared and the childminder encourages parents to inform her of any significant events at home, which helps to ensure children's needs are addressed. The childminder takes positive steps to ensure that parents are kept well informed about all relevant policies and procedures.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are comfortable and settled within a well organised and caring environment. They feel secure and at ease with the childminder and their surroundings. The childminder is well qualified and plans a range of daily activities to meet the children's needs. A good range of documentation and records are in place. These include daily attendance records, which are up to date and show clear arrival and departure times for children. The registration certificate is displayed. A range of written information is well maintained and shared with parents and the childminder has a positive attitude towards improving the service she provides. Children's welfare, care and learning are promoted, due to the range of policies and procedures, which underpin the her professional practice. 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 received two recommendations. These included ensuring children have access to a range of toys that reflect equal opportunities and updating the information for parents regarding Ofsted's contact details.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The recommendations have both been addressed. There is a range of freely accessible toys and resources promoting positive images of diversity and the childminder made the necessary information available to parents, although some contact details are not current.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has taken positive steps towards improving the service provided and ensuring children are safe and well cared for at all times.

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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): • safeguard children by updating knowledge and understanding of current local child protection procedures • promote children's safety at all times, to include making any hazardous materials inaccessible in the bathroom and by obtaining written consent for higher risk activities, such swimming and the use of inflatable resources, such as bouncy castles.

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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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