Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY281721 Unique Reference Number 27 June 2007 Inspection date Vanessa Wood 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 2004. She lives with her family and her mother in a house in Yalding, Maidstone. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is registered to care for four children under eight years and when working with an assistant she many care for five children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding eight children on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. 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. Children are cared for in an environment where they learn about good hygiene practice. For example, the childminder uses books to show and talk to children about ways they can keep themselves healthy. Children also learn to ensure their hands are clean before they eat meals and the childminder reminds older children to wash their hands after using the toilet. Children use individual paper towels to dry their hands and this helps to prevent the spread of infection and contributes to keeping children healthy. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and there are clear procedures in place for the administration of medicines and recording any accidents. However, she does not have parents' written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. The children benefit from the childminders very good understanding of providing healthy nutritious meals. Many of the vegetables she uses are home grown and she

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Helping children to be healthy

uses fresh local produce at all times. Although, parents have the choice of providing a packed lunch for their children if they wish. Children enjoy walking on the many footpaths near the house. They take food to feed the ducks and often walk to the library and pre-school. Children play in the childminder's garden on the large apparatus and with the sand pit and watch the three chickens that the childminder keeps at the bottom of the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder ensures the premises are kept safe and secure. A risk assessment of the home has been completed and all identified hazards have been minimised. The childminder constantly reviews safety and has recently decided to fit stair gates to stairs where there might be a concern about children's safety. This means that children can move around freely and safely. The childminder has written a clear fire evacuation plan. She has consulted a fire officer and has put the advice given into practice, such as smoke alarms on each floor and an extra fire blanket is kept in the bedroom upstairs. Children learn about road safety as the childminder talks about the potential dangers and encourages good practice when walking around the village. Children have easy access to a range of toys and resources appropriate for their age. Toys and equipment are clean and in good condition to enable children to play safely. The childminder has an

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

adequate knowledge of child protection issues that will enable her to protect children if she has any concerns about their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has attended recent training in child care and has a good understanding of how children develop and learn. Written evidence shows how she intends to plan activities to cover the curriculum for the Foundation Stage. This will enhance the learning environment for the children who attend. Children enjoy being with the childminder and are confident and at home in her care. Appropriate toys and resources are made available to encourage young children to develop. For example, they enjoy taking toys out of a box and finding favourite toys, such as a pop up toy that makes a noise. Themed activities are arranged for older children following on from what they are doing at school. For example, when children are learning about the Tudors at school the childminder organises an activity to make pomanders out of oranges and cloves. The childminder has an allotment where children can dig and plant seeds. They

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

learn to nurture the plants such as tomatoes and flowers to see them grow. Children enjoy

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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 walking to the library and taking out books to look at with the childminder at home. The childminder has begun to assess children's development and to develop her activity plans to meet the individual learning needs of all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder builds close relationships with parents which enables her to provide consistent care for the children she minds. She has a good understanding of their individual needs and likes and dislikes. Children find out about the wider world through regular outings to the local community and from books. Children participate in all activities and have equal access to all toys that are suitable to their age and stage of development. Children learn good social skills and how to share and take turns. The childminder has a positive approach to managing behaviour and keeps very calm when dealing with unwanted behaviour, such as the toddler pulling the dog's tail, when she explains why it is unacceptable. The childminder gives lots of praise and encouragement for things done well which promotes children's self-esteem. Parents are very happy with the care provided by the childminder. They are given essential information about

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the setting through the good service statement and policies and procedures. A daily diary ensure parents are informed about what children have been doing during the day including how much they have eaten and when they have a sleep.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are secure and settled in the care of the childminder. She ensures the daily routine is balanced and includes quiet and active times. The childminder has undertaken further training in child care to enhance the care and learning she provides for children. All the required documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the setting and for the welfare and care of children is maintained. The registration certificate is displayed and the attendance register confirms that the childminder complies with the conditions of her registration.

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Organisation

The provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were made. To ensure visitors are recorded and to improve knowledge and understanding of child protection issues.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The provider now records all visitors to her home in the attendance register. She has just completed a training programme in child care and this included training on child protection issues.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take 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): • continue to develop the programme of activities to promote children's learning • obtain written permission from parents to seek emergency advice or treatment

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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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