Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY222490 Unique Reference Number 03 May 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 has been registered since August 2002. She lives with her husband, adult daughter and 13 year old son, in an extended semi-detached house in Welling, Kent. The home is within walking distance of schools, playgroups, shops and local amenities. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years. There are currently three children under eight years on roll. She provides a drop off and collection service for Danson Primary School. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a very clean and organised home. The childminder carries out effective cleaning routines, which include, mopping the floors and disinfecting the sofas daily because the cat and dog are in the room during the night. This minimises the spread of germs. Children are

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 encouraged to have good personal hygiene routines, such as, regular hand washing and being provided with anti-bacterial hand wash and disposable towels. This contributes to minimises the possibility of cross infection. Children's medical health is well promoted because the childminder has a clear agreement with parents that children who are clearly unwell or infectious are not accepted. This is further supported by an effective procedure to deal with medical emergencies. The childminder implements appropriate procedures for dealing with accidents and for administering medication. However, she has not obtained written consent to administer a medicated cream for a medical condition and this does not form part of the care agreement with the parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to have a healthy lifestyle. This includes getting regular opportunities for physical activities and to get fresh air. Trips to the local park and daily walks form part of the regular routine. This is further enhanced through the home cooked meals the children receive whilst in the childminder's care, most of which include vegetables. More recently children have been learning about growing their own vegetables, as they have planted tomatoes in pots in the back garden. Children receive regular drinks and younger children have their own cup to encourage independence. Parents are kept informed of children's food intake because younger children have a written contact book and the childminder feeds back verbally to the others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has created a bright, welcoming and well maintained environment for children to be in. There is ample clear space for younger children to enjoy floor play and another room where the older children can play undisturbed. Children have access to a good range of well maintained toys and equipment. These are stored at low level and sorted into age groups so they can be access independently. This encourages decision making skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder implements many effective systems that contribute to keeping the children safe, both in the home and outdoors. This includes making low level glass panels safe, affixing protectors to the edges of tables and making low level electrical sockets inaccessible. Whilst outdoors, children know the rules and boundaries to keep themselves and others safe. For example, they know they must stay close by the childminder at all times and when travelling in the vehicle seatbelts must be worn. The childminder implements an effective evacuation procedure in case of a fire and this has been practised with the children to ensure it is effective.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected. The childminder is clear about her responsibility in regards to safeguarding children and she has a sound understanding of the possible signs and symptoms that may indicate abuse or neglect. She has up-to-date contact numbers and referral forms in place and parents are aware of her responsibility to protect children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well settled in the childminder's home. They move around freely, making independent choices from the wide range of resources available to them. Younger children enjoy sitting on the floor with the childminder, interacting and sharing lots of cuddles. They enjoy playing musical toys and sitting on the childminder's lap reading books. The childminder is responsive to their needs and this gives them a sense of security. Older children are very involved in deciding what activities they take part in. They are provided with many options,

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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 such as, art and craft activities, doing their homework, watching a DVD or playing games. The activities and opportunities are based on the needs of the children attending and although the childminder is aware of the Birth to three matters framework, it is not implemented in the service and so therefore the benefits to younger children are not evident.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder welcomes all families into her home. She provides a very homely atmosphere for the children, which enables them to feel valued and gain a sense of belonging. The childminder knows the children well. She talks about them individually, acknowledging they all have different qualities and characters to contribute to the setting. Children learn to value each other because the childminder sets a positive role model for them, encouraging them to contribute their ideas and share their experiences with their peers. Children have opportunities to learn abut themselves and others through the range of activities provided, making use of the facilities in the local community and also through having discussions on different issues with each other and the childminder. The childminder demonstrates a realistic attitude to meeting the needs of all children in her care, including those who may have a learning difficulty

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are guided into behaving in acceptable ways. The childminder has discussed behaviour management strategies with parents and ensures these are consistently applied. Children generally behave very well, however, on the odd occasion when she has to deal with unwanted behaviour she removes the child from the situation and talks about what has happened, ensuring an explanation is given as to why the behaviour is unacceptable. Children know the rules and boundaries and they have agreed to the written 'house rules', which they all have a copy of.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective working relationships between the childminder and parents mean that children's care needs are well met. The childminder has developed effective communication systems, which include daily verbal feedback on children's development and frequent texts to reassure parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children receive constant encouragement and attention from the childminder to support their learning and enjoyment. The areas used are organised appropriately to ensure that the children can play safely. Children benefit from the childminder's ongoing interest in and commitment to further training. The childminder demonstrates her wish to develop the quality of the provision for the children in her care as she reflects on her practice and strives to improve what she offers. All required documentation is in place, well organised and appropriately stored with an awareness of confidentiality.

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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

At the last inspection in 2002, two recommendations were raised. The childminder agreed to ensure children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice and to ensure sufficient equipment is available to meet the needs of babies under one year.

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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 Children have access to a sufficient range of play materials to promote equality, such as small world figures and books. The childminder also uses spontaneous opportunities to discuss issues with children when children come home from school with information about different people or festivals. The childminder also challenges any discriminatory remarks and explains to the children why this is not acceptable. This helps them learn to respect themselves and others. She has sufficient equipment in place to meet the needs of young children, this includes having a travel cot, a highchair, car seats and pram.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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 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): • improve the outcomes for children from birth to three years by using an approach in line with Birth to three matters framework • obtain written consent to administer all medication, including medicated creams

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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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