Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY317873 Unique Reference Number 26 January 2007 Inspection date Susan Jennifer Scott 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 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 has been registered since 2006. The childminder shares her home with her husband and three children. The family live in a house in Orpington, Kent. The ground floor and an upstairs bedroom are available for childminding. There is a secure rear garden available for children to use.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for no more than four children under eight years; of these, not more than three may be under five years, and of these, not more than one may be under one year at any one time. The childminder is registered to leave children in the care of an assistant with the written agreement of the parents. She is not registered to provide overnight care for children. One child is minded full time.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder collects children from the local school on a regular basis. There are local shops, parks, a school and pre-schools within walking distance.

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 good. Children experience a good balance of energetic activity with times for quiet play and rest in a safe environment. They experience a variety of physical exercise, visiting local groups or playing in the garden.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes the health of children successfully through appropriate hygiene practices although children do share a towel to dry their hands which does not limit cross infection risks. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene through routines such as washing their hands after visiting the toilet and before preparing or eating food. Children's individual routines for sleeping, having sufficient rest, and appropriate personal care are supported by the childminder to ensure they experience a healthy lifestyle.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children’s parents are contacted if they are taken ill. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate which safeguards children in an emergency. She is prepared to seek emergency treatment or advice if needed and has written permission to do so. Children’s health is protected by the childminder's use of records to document accidents or illness which she shares with parents.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The children receive regular food and drinks which are carefully prepared, nutritious and comply with dietary needs. Children enjoy freshly cooked meals such as roasts, cottage pie and vegetables, so that they are well nourished and healthy. Food is prepared and stored safely and parents can supply baby food if they prefer. Children can choose snacks that are healthy, such as fruits, so they develop healthy eating habits.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder understands what babies and toddlers need, she recognises signs of being tired, hungry or frustrated. Babies and toddlers are encouraged to develop their independence and are beginning to develop their own preferences, making choices for themselves as the childminder successfully enables them to feel secure. They have a strong and close relationship with the childminder who is responsive to their needs. This encourages them to express their feelings and needs verbally and non-verbally, through smiles, gurgling, and baby talk which are reciprocated by the childminder.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from a range of attractive, safe and suitable toys, resources and equipment which include: appropriate car seats, baby gates, harnesses, pushchairs and a cot. They can access a selection of toys which meet current safety regulations and which are checked to ensure they are safe for use.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to independently access a range of age appropriate toys which are varied to ensure their interest is stimulated. These include: books, drawing and crayoning and imaginative

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 toys such as dolls and cars. Some toys are visible so that children are made to feel welcome when they enter the house.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe in the home. They enjoy their play in a safe and secure environment. A risk assessment of the house has been carried out and all possible steps have been taken to minimise hazards. Older children are made aware of the fire evacuation procedures which effectively promotes their safety should an emergency arise.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children feel very secure and are well settled because of the excellent organisation and support of the childminder who is attentive to all their needs. Babies benefit from being able to move around safely and sleeping in a cot in the designated bedroom. Older children can see pictures on the doors to help them understand which rooms are available for their use.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Babies and toddlers are safely able to explore and move safely. They are beginning to know when and how to ask for help from the childminder who successfully interprets their needs.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have easy access to the garden and they are kept safe through effective arrangements and good supervision when they are playing outside. They are safeguarded when on outings through the use of written consents and good supervision.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder understands her role in the protection of children and provides written information for parents when they first place a child in her care. The clear and helpful procedures adopted by the childminder safeguard the children's welfare effectively.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and confident; for example, the baby is very happy, smiling and gurgling and reaching for toys offered by the childminder. Babies benefit from the childminder's attention by having good eye contact while being held. This means babies confidently expect to receive good attention and indicates they are used to having needs fulfilled.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy positive interaction with childminder and have good opportunities to use baby-signing language, which enables them to understand and express themselves through gestures. For example, they are able to understand the sign for 'milk'.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's individual needs are met by the childminder who provides good support; for instance, she notices when the baby wants a toy and passes it to her, in order to capture her interest when she becomes distracted.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good relationships with the childminder and her older children and this enables them to feel happy, secure and confident. They experience good social opportunities such as attending toddler groups and the local baby-signing group where they learn good communication skills.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy and learn from a broad range of activities. They can access a wide range of equipment and activities, which develop their understanding, such as puzzles, games and activity bars. Children develop an interest in books and enjoy learning from these. For example, there

p.4

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 is a display of information about Australia to support children's understanding of Australia Day.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as making collages and role-play. They also learn from a range of activities that allow them to explore and investigate as they have good opportunities to explore using their senses through activities such as cooking pizzas.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to develop a positive attitude to others through playing with resources that reflect positive images. This practice successfully builds on their understanding and helps them develop a balanced view of the world. Babies learn about themselves and the care they receive helps them develop a positive self-image, as the childminder acknowledges their individual routines for sleeping and eating and ensures that her service matches their needs.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's are supported effectively, the childminder ensures that their developmental needs are discussed so that she is able to balance the needs of all the minded children and ensure they receive good individual attention.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from lots of praise and encouragement and, as a result, their good behaviour is promoted effectively. For example, the policy states that children are praised and receive stickers in recognition for positive behaviour. The childminder manages children's behaviour in a positive way and ensures they are given a sense of pride through recognition for their achievements and good behaviour.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a very positive partnership with parents. Parents are welcomed into the childminder's home and kept fully informed of her practice through the use of contact books and verbal feedback. Parents have good access to a file of clear and helpful information about the childminding service, including information on how to contact the regulator. This develops their confidence in the service and ensures the children’s welfare.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from clearly defined and well organised space, dedicated time and a range of resources which are used well. They receive very good adult support to help them feel secure and confident. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder keeps herself informed of current childcare practices although she has not obtained the addendum on to the National Standards issued in 2005. She has a current first aid certificate and has extended her knowledge and range of skills by attending a variety of short courses.

p.5

Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder’s good planning and use of relevant documentation. Records and information are informative and used effectively to support good relationships

p.5

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 with children and parents. Records are confidential, well maintained and easily accessible. The childminder safeguards the welfare of the children in her care by ensuring that she has procedures in place to protect the children in her care should any emergencies arise.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the childminder or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

p.6

Complaints since the last inspection

The childminder is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which can be seen on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.6

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): • review hand drying arrangements so that children are fully protected from cross infection • obtain the Addendum to the National Standards dated 2005 concerning complaints and suitability information.

p.6

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.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