Childminder in Medway

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY299756 Inspection date 15 July 2005 Inspector Susan Jennifer Scott

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2004. She lives with her husband and pre-school age daughter in Strood. The property is situated within easy reach of local shops, schools, park and pre-schools. The childminder is registered to care for three children at any one time and is currently minding one child. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good range of energetic physical activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They develop confidence in their physical skills as they use a wide range of indoor and outdoor toys and equipment. All children have regular and frequent opportunities to play and exercise outside which contribute to their health and muscular development, as the childminder takes them on local trips and provides physically challenging activities in the garden. The childminder provides children with an hygienic environment and ensures that they are protected from infection and that their individual health needs are met. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well organised routines, for instance, they wash their hands after using the toilet or playing in the garden. The childminder holds a first aid certificate and keeps the appropriate documentation up to date, recording a good range of information which enables her

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Helping children to be healthy

to deliver care which is suited to children's individual needs. Children benefit from a balance of healthy foods and drinks. They can access drinks easily as the childminder ensures these are constantly available and reminds them to drink so they do not become thirsty. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and provides a range of foods to suit individual needs; this ensures that children can access food and drinks which they are used to and which they enjoy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder ensures she has sufficient, safe toys, resources and equipment which are carefully selected to ensure they are suitable. Children have easy access to toys and resources appropriate for their age which are checked and cleaned on a weekly basis. This promotes their independence and safety effectively. Children benefit from playing in an environment where they can move freely between the two main rooms but some areas contain potential hazards. Although a risk assessment of the house has been completed there is no procedure to ensure the necessary steps have been taken to minimise risks such as trailing flexes, or items which could be unsafe such as plastic carrier bags and items on steps. There is good security on the premises and the childminder ensures that children cannot open the doors to outside. Children are always closely supervised when playing in the garden to ensure their

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safety. The childminder checks before children play outside and a risk assessment has identified all potential hazards which have been minimised. For instance, children

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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 are never left with paddling pool full of water; it is emptied each day and if the childminder has to go inside to answer telephone or the door when they are using it she takes them in too. The childminder has clear procedures for outings; this ensures that children are kept safe outside. She uses a buggy board and ensures children know why they need to stay close and hold hands. She endures children learn about road safety and the importance of using crossings. The childminder checks playgrounds to ensure these are suitable and has vetted two locally so that children can visit these safely with her. She also supervises children carefully while they play. The childminder has a reasonable understanding of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care. She understands her role in the protection of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children and discusses this with parents when they first place a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder offers activities that help children develop and learn; she encourages them to use counting and discusses quantities when they play with the sand, using good mathematical language. Children enjoy their play and learn from a good range of activities. The childminder ensures they have good quality, stimulating toys which provide balance and challenges, this results in them making good progress in their development. The childminder offers stimulating suggestions to develop their thinking, such as counting items in shops and counting up toys. The childminder develops children’s confidence and independence by encouraging them to put on their own shoes and fetch toys for themselves. As a result children are happy, relaxed and growing in confidence. The childminder offers them reassurance by answering all their questions with patience. The childminder is warm and affectionate making children feel comfortable and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

valued; she plays with them and points out familiar places such as 'that’s like where we go shopping' and the 'bridge, do you remember?'. This means that they approach the childminder for support and she interprets their needs well so that good relationships are built. Children are successfully encouraged to share and to be caring towards each other by the childminder who develops children's social and emotional skills by encouraging them to be aware of each other's needs, for example, when they need to share toys. The children benefit from being valued by the childminder who listens to them and supports them when they express themselves, such as when they notice insects in the garden and point them out to her. Children benefit from various outings to playgrounds, parks, shops, libraries, and toddler clubs so that their knowledge of the local environment is extended through these visits.

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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 The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of equality of opportunity and has a positive attitude towards diversity. She intends to develop her resources and increase the opportunities for children to experience different cultures, thus building on their understanding of the world. Children are treated with respect and are made to feel good about themselves. For instance, the childminder acknowledges and praises one child's ability to count well and understand numbers. The childminder is aware of the arrangements she would have to make to care for children with special needs and she has a positive approach to this area of work, although none currently attend. Children behave very well. They begin to understand right and wrong through clear explanations used by the childminder that ensure children know how to behave

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Helping children make a positive contribution

appropriately; for instance, when they have to share toys. The childminder successfully encourages children to learn appropriate behaviour by using praise which gives them a sense of pride and boosts their self esteem and reminding them of what is expected, such as not being silly when they are excited. The childminder works together with parents to help children make progress. Children benefit from parents’ involvement in the sharing of information through the daily use of a contact book. Parents are welcomed into the home and daily discussions about events and routines ensure parents are kept fully informed of the childminder’s practice, thus promoting children’s welfare. Policies and procedures are clear and shared with parents and all information is treated as confidential.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from free access to organised play space in living room, in the dining room and the opportunities to play in the garden. They access a good range of resources and they receive sufficient adult support to help them feel secure and confident. The children benefit from the childminder's overall organisation; she is sensitive to their needs and maintains a professional approach to the documentation and planning of suitable activities. The childminder dedicates time to talking to parents at the beginning and end of each childminding session, to ensure that all pertinent information is exchanged; this ensures that children's changing needs are recognised and catered for. The children are happy and settled in her care due to the time she devotes to supporting their play. However, there are some minor hazards on the premises that have not been fully addressed yet.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements 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 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): • ensure that a risk assessment is completed and the areas that children access are checked before each childminding session • ensure that resources and activities reflect positive images and diversity so that children develop a balanced view of society

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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

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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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