Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY339518 Unique Reference Number 09 January 2007 Inspection date Mandy Mooney 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 2006. She lives with her partner and two children aged four years and six years in Gravesend, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and this includes the conservatory, which is a designated play area. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. There are currently three children under eight years on roll. The childminder walks/drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group and she 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. The childminder follows effective hygiene practices and explains these, so that children know why they need to wash their hands after visiting the toilet or sneezing into their hand, before eating food and after playing in garden. The children's health is appropriately safeguarded because the childminder has made good provision for a sick or injured child. Clear written procedures and agreement with parents regarding the administration of medication and for dealing with accidents means that children's medical needs are effectively promoted. There is a written policy in place stating unwell children are not accepted and because the childminder has recently completed a first aid course she is confident in her ability to deal with medical emergencies. This prevents the spread of contagious ailments and protects all children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures children have regular physical exercise. Children use the large play equipment in the garden, visit the park and have regular walks. Younger children enjoy taking part in floor play and music and movement sessions to encourage mobility skills. This helps them understand the need for regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs. The childminder provides a variety of African and English dishes to encourage children to extend their taste buds. Children are offered regular drinks of water, milk or juice, to ensure they are hydrated, especially in the hotter weather. The childminder meets the individual dietary needs of all children because she discussed this with parents and their wishes are complied with. She ensures sufficient written information is in place to support this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a secure and well organised environment. The childminder has created a bright and welcoming home environment, which enables the children to feel happy and settled. Children use a range of safe, good quality and developmentally appropriate resources. These are well organised at the child's level to encourage decision making skills and independent access.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys and resources are carefully selected and checked regularly to ensure they are suitable for children and babies to use. These are washed daily to ensure they are clean because of the babies putting them in their mouth. Toys are regularly rotated so that children are provided with a variety of stimulating opportunities. However, the provision for babies sleep is not entirely suitable, because there is no cot or travel cot available and this means that the babies sleep on the sofa or on a mat on the floor. The childminder is vigilant and ensures that children are happily occupied and safe, both in the home and while playing in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised in the well maintained and organised premises which has good safety and security precautions, such as maintained smoke alarms on all levels, electrical sockets and potentially hazardous materials inaccessible and a stable style door on

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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 the conservatory so that the childminder can restrict access out of the area if necessary. There are effective fire safety systems in place, these include, a maintained smoke alarm and an accessible fire blanket in the kitchen. The childminder has developed a procedure to follow in the event of an emergency in the home, however this has not been practised with the children to ensure it effective in keeping them safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are kept safe when on outings. The childminder ensures she has consent to transport children in a car, as well as ensuring that she can contact parents should the need arise to do so. The childminder encourages children to develop their sense of safety through discussions about crossing the road safely and reminding them of the importance of wearing seatbelts when travelling in the car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected. The childminder ensures she has up to date written procedures to follow in the event that a child protection issue is raised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder provides the children with an interesting range of activities and play opportunities, to meet their all round developmental needs. These include a balance of quiet and active play. The routines ensure that the younger children's care needs are accommodated well. For example, the daily routine includes the school runs, feeding times and sleep times. The childminder takes the children out to the local park regularly and the younger children have opportunities to mix with children of their own age, as they attend a local toddler group. Older children have opportunities to play board games together, use the computer, take part in art and craft activities or just chill out in front of the television.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder spends a lot of her time at the children's level, interacting well with them and responding to their needs effectively. Children are well settled and comfortable in the environment and this contributes to them feeling secure. The younger children enjoy one to one time with the childminder, during which they are provided with stimulating toys, for example, laying on the musical play mat and responding to the sounds coming from it. They make use of the floor space for developing their skills. The childminder is aware of the Birth to three matters’ framework for the younger children and she uses this as a guide when planning for the children's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder considers all the children. Therefore, she builds the play opportunities and experiences on the individual needs and interests of all the children. She talks to the children about respecting each other and children take part in activities to acknowledge cultural festivals, such as, Eid, Diwali and Christmas. The childminder has not had any experience of caring for children with additional needs; however, she demonstrates a realistic approach to this.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

She provides a positive role model for the children and this, in turn, encourages them to behave well and to be kind and considerate to each other. The childminder uses effective and consistent

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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 strategies to manage the children's behaviour. These include the distraction method, where the child is offered an alternative activity to divert away from the unwanted behaviour. The children know the rules and the boundaries within the home and are good at following them, as the childminder is consistent in her approach. The younger children understand simple, yet effective indicators from the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children benefit from the positive relationships between the childminder and their parents and carers. The shared information allows the childminder to provide care, which meets the children’s individual needs. The childminder has developed clear written policies and procedures and these are shown and agreed with parents before their children are left to ensure the approaches used are acceptable and understood by both parties.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a good level of experience in childcare, enhancing the children’s play and learning experiences. She has a sound understanding of ages and stages of development, enabling her to plan and organise suitable routines and activities for the children. Children benefit from having a childminder who is keen to provide a good quality of care for them and this is enhanced through her commitment to keeping herself up to date with advancements in childcare through reading relevant literature and through membership of the National Childminding Association.

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Organisation

The space and resources are well organised so that children can play safely. There is sufficient space for active play and quiet times. The childminder maintains a daily record of attendance and this shows she complies with her conditions of registration.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps appropriate records and a file of information which is organised to be available for sharing with parents, this includes effective policies and procedures for the safe management of the provision. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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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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): • consider practising the evacuation plan with children to ensure it is effective in keeping them safe • review the provision for sleep for babies to ensure it is suitable

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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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