Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY271148 Unique Reference Number 06 December 2006 Inspection date Vanessa Wood Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her partner and a baby and one school aged child in a house in Sevenoaks. The whole of the house with the exception of the cellar is used for childminding. Children have access to an enclosed outdoor play space.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years and is currently minding four children on a part time basis. At the time of the inspection there were no children present. The childminder walks to the local school and pre-schools to take and collect children. The family have several pets.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of how children's good health is promoted. She described how through a range of activities and through discussion children learn about a healthy diet. Children are given a nutritious balanced meal and snacks appropriate to their individual needs. However, the childminder does not provide menus to inform parents of the meals she provides. Drinks are always available to children. Children are protected from cross infection and appropriate procedures are in place if a child becomes unwell. Any accidents and medicines given are recorded correctly and shared with parents. The childminder can respond to any accidents because the first aid certificate is maintained. The childminder describes how she will ensure children learn about good practice in personal hygiene through normal daily routines. The childminder demonstrates an understanding of the importance of physical exercise

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

in children's lives. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and they often visit the local park so children can play on the swings and climbing apparatus.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is bright and welcoming to children. She has taken steps to ensure that any risks in and outside her home have been minimised so that children can play safely. The home is secure and safety equipment is in place to prevent children accessing areas that are not safe. Play resources are organised in a manner which helps to promote children's free choice. They are sufficient in number for the age range of children minded and most are in storage units that children can easily access. The childminder demonstrates good practice for walking with the children to school ensuring they learn about road safety. She shows a basic knowledge of procedures to follow if she has a concern about the welfare of a child.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Through discussion the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how children learn and develop. She welcomes children into a calm environment where there are sufficient resources to ensure children are happy and settled. She says that at times she plans activities that she knows the children will enjoy such as craft activities. At other times the play is spontaneous with the children deciding on their play activity. Photographs show that children are involved in a broad range of activities such as trips to the local farm, craft activities and outdoor play. The childminder talks about encouraging children's learning such as developing young children's speech and physical skills.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder shows a sound knowledge of promoting equality of opportunity in the home. She has an equal opportunities policy to share with parents and ensures that the individual needs of all children in her care are met. This has involved her in learning familiar words in other languages in order to make children feel welcome in her home. The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of behaviour management, giving good examples of how she would approach a variety of situations for children of different ages. Parents value the care their children receive. The childminder provides parents with a good range of information such as the service statement which includes her policies and procedures. She also keeps daily diaries to inform parents about daily events.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder's home is well organised and allows children the opportunity to choose their play materials. The childminder states that she plans her day around the children's needs, allowing time for play, sleep, school runs and meal times. All required documentation is in place, although the complaints policy does not give parents full information.

p.4

Organisation

Overall, evidence suggests that the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

There were three recommendations from the last inspection. To develop a knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and to develop knowledge and understanding of special needs. The childminder was also required to make the fire blanket available.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has obtained a fire blanket and this is in place in the kitchen and she has developed her knowledge of children with special needs. However, she has not been able to access a course on child protection and this will be a recommendation from this inspection.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 knowledge and understanding of child protection • provide parents with more information about the meals provided for children • ensure parents are made fully aware of the complaints procedure

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5