Childminder in Medway

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY299139 Inspection date 13 October 2005 Inspector Linda Patricia Coccia

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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 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 good. 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 2005. She co-minds with another registered childminder. She lives with her husband and three children aged 7, 3 and 2 years in Rainham, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently co-minding nine children under 8 years, who all attend on a part time basis. The childminder walks and drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The childminder regularly attends a local social group with the

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 children. The childminder can support children with special educational needs. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean home with a welcoming environment, where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Their clear understanding of why they must wash their hands before eating or handling food and after using the toilet reduces the risk of cross contamination. Nappies are disposed of in a disposal unit. Children are encouraged to take themselves to the toilet and become more independent in self-care. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet as the childminder talks to them about the food they eat and why some foods are better than others. They take part in interesting activities which help them learn about the different food groups. They are able to access drinks throughout the day and occasionally the older children help the younger ones to pour their own. The childminder has a good attitude towards healthy eating and works hard to provide nutritious meals and

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

snacks that appeal to children and meet their individual dietary needs. Parents are informed about what their children have eaten by way of a meal diary which is easily accessible in the hallway. Children learn about healthy eating. Children take part in regular physical activities both indoors and outside in the garden. All children have access to all the equipment with different levels of help offered by the childminder. Indoors, children have activities which promote physical movement such as dancing. Younger children are able to rest in suitable surroundings. Children enjoy suitable physical play activities.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a spacious home where risks are identified and minimised. This means they are able to move around safely and independently. The toys and activities are stored safely and are easily accessible to all children. The toys are risk assessed every two weeks, kept hygienically clean and are disposed of immediately breakages occur. They are also rotated every few weeks giving children access to an even greater range. Children select their own toys which are safe and clean. Children are kept safe by the good use of appropriate safety equipment such as stair gates and socket covers. The childminder's safety procedures gives high priority to helping children understand about safety; for example, practising the well thought out emergency evacuation procedures. They also understand about using seat belts in the car and crossing roads safely. Children learn to become independent and able to

p.3

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 keep themselves safe. Children are also kept safe by the childminder's awareness of child protection (CP) issues and local authority procedures. However; parents have not been given any written information regarding the childminder's duty to protect children. The children's wellbeing is promoted.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy their time at the childminder's home. They achieve well because the childminder is professional in her manner, competent and well organised. She uses her knowledge of early years development to provide high quality care; for example, children learn to become skilful communicators because the childminder uses excellent expressive language with them. All children make excellent progress because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child and plans individual care for each child with it's parents; for example, children's likes and dislikes are recorded. A close and caring relationship between the childminder and each child increases the children’s sense of trust and helps them develop a strong sense of self. Children like to be cuddled and they receive lots of kisses and hugs from the childminder. This is an extremely happy environment with lots of laughter.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children experience a range of interesting activities when with the childminder. They use craft activities ranging from Plaster of Paris to making wall displays, the most recent of these was of undersea creatures. They have free access to the craft basket containing wide ranges of pens, pencils, crayons and different types of paper and colouring books. The children's artistic development is nurtured.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children use some suitable toys which show positive images of race, culture, disability or gender. However; the childminder is unsure of the amount of toys and images she has available to children. Children are beginning to learn about each others differences. Children receive lots of praise for their achievements, however slight; for example, pressing the right button on the play and tell story book. The childminder has effective, written behaviour management strategies which are adaptable to each individual child and which are agreed with parents. The childminder is enthusiastic about giving praise and not dwelling too much on negative behaviour. Children play freely within effective boundaries and develop good self-esteem. Parents report that the children receive very good care and support from the childminder. Parents receive a good insight into how their children develop through

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

the daily verbal exchanges about the children's wellbeing and achievements. They

p.4

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 have access to some written information kept on all the children and have their own copies of the childminder's service statement. Children receive continuity of care.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has completed an Introducing Childcare Practise (ICP) course and has a current paediatric first aid certificate. Her registration document is displayed. The children benefit from the childminder's commitment to on-going training. She has enrolled on the Developing Childcare Practise (DCP) course to further her knowledge of childcare practice. The childminder has acceptable levels of paperwork completed on each child. Her attendance register is marked daily and all relevant paperwork is shared with parents. The childminder has completed service contracts with all parents which are reviewed regularly. Children's records are confidential and stored appropriately. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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.5

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 good. 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): • assess the positive images of equality available to children everyday, and

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 increase the range if necessary. • include information in written service statement regarding child protection and share the information with parents.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

procedures 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

p.6

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.6