Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY336331 Unique Reference Number 12 October 2006 Inspection date Annie Williams 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Chatham, Kent. The whole 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding two children. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a dog.

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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. The premises are clean. Up-to-date first aid training and an easily accessible first aid kit means that the childminder can act in the best interest of children in the event of an accident. Nappies are changed quickly and disposed of promptly. Effective practice, such as wearing disposable gloves, helps to prevent the spread of infection, but the surface that babies' nappies are changed on is not easily sanitized to further prevent the spread of infection. Accident and medication records are available and the childminder is able to describe correctly the procedures to follow. However, parents' permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment is not in place and therefore the childminder cannot be sure she is acting according to their wishes in the event of illness or accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of food that is healthy and nutritious. Babies clearly enjoy the food that the childminder feeds them. As they develop on to solids, for example, they open their mouths eagerly as the spoon comes towards them. However, because they do not have the correct feeding chair, babies are unable to participate fully at feeding time. Children readily access drinks whilst in the care of the childminder and babies are given juice and water routinely to keep their bodies hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies have freedom to move around enabling them to develop their physical skills. They are able to sit safely and reach. Gentle support is offered by the childminder to support babies as they explore toys. There are currently limited resources to promote children's large muscle skills, but the childminder compensates by taking the children to the park and they regularly walk to and from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises are secure. A clear understanding of the recommendations for sleeping babies and a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of child protection means that the childminder is able to safeguard children's welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in specific areas of the childminder's home which are safe. Other areas of the property are less safe because of the redecoration programme. At the moment, the childminder keeps children safe by relying on children knowing the rules and the fact that the baby is not yet mobile.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Smoke alarms are situated in appropriate areas of the property, but the fire blanket is still in the wrapper and not easily accessible in the kitchen. Consequently, in the event of a fire children's safety may be compromised. Toys and resources are clean and in good condition but the range are limited to meet the ages, stages and developmental needs of children. Babies are able to sleep in an appropriate cot and there is a rocker chair for them to play, but there is not currently a feeding chair to enable babies to be actively involved in meal times.

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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 Children are transported safely in the car because they have appropriate seating, but the childminder has not yet ensured that she has appropriate motor insurance for her childminding business. A sticker is available to place in the car to alert others to the childminder's status and wrist bands for children are ready to use on future outings.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Babies and children are happy and settled in the care of the childminder. They clearly enjoy her company and react with noises as they explore the sounds that their voice makes. As yet, there are no simple books for babies to explore and help them further develop their communication skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A small range of toys enables babies to explore and find out how things work, for example, activity centres, shape sorters, musical toys with buttons and levers and teething rings. Babies enjoy exploring these toys, but because they are mostly bright plastic they are unable to fully explore using their senses. The childminder has obtained the Birth to three matter pack to enable her to provide a framework to support babies and young children, but is not yet using this to support children in their earliest years. Toys available for older children are limited to crayons, pencils and paints and therefore do not cover all ages and stages of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Babies and children are happy. They clearly enjoy the company of the childminder who is kind and caring in her interactions towards them. A positive approach towards managing behaviour means that children are well behaved. Children learn about the differences in our society through discussion with the childminder and outings into the local community. Resources that reflect differences in our society are limited, so are not available to support children's learning and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Information is obtained from parents to enable the childminder to care appropriately for babies and children, such as babies’ routine, likes and dislikes. Contracts detail business arrangements to ensure that the childminder is acting according to parents’ wishes. Although the childminder has a copy of the revision to the National Standards, she is not yet familiar with the complaint regulation and has not shared this with parents. As yet, there are no written policies to support the childminder's service.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. All adults living on the premises have undergone checks to establish their suitability. Because the certificate of registration is displayed, the childminder is able to show that parents are informed of conditions related to registration. The attendance register confirms that the childminder complies with the conditions of registration and includes the times of arrival and

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 departure of children. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

Most of the required documentation is maintained, but the childminder is unorganised and does not have documents to hand to enable her to act quickly should she need to do so, for example, child record forms. The daily routine is organised according to the needs of the babies and children in her care. As a result, they are secure and settled.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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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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 parents' written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • develop the range of toys and equipment to meet babies' and children's developmental needs • assess the risks to children in relation to their access to the first floor and lounge and take action to minimise these • develop knowledge and understanding of your responsibility regarding complaints and share this with parents.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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