Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY343560 Unique Reference Number 24 April 2007 Inspection date Linda Patricia Coccia 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 husband and two children aged 22 and 18 in Rochester, Kent. The lounge, kitchen, playroom and downstairs toilet are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight at any one time and when working with an assistant may care for a maximum of 10 children under eight at any one time. There are currently six children on roll. The family has a pet cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Good procedures are in place to help children become aware of personal hygiene issues. They can explain why they must regularly wash their hands, such as after using the toilet. They understand about germs. They are encouraged to become independent by taking themselves to the toilet. The childminder also uses a range of procedures to ensure children's health is promoted. She has accident and medication records which are completed as necessary and she

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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 ensures she obtains written permission form parents for any medication she is asked to administer. Records are well maintained, therefore, children's health is promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents are involved in the provision of food for their children. They send in snack or lunch boxes for the children depending on the amount of time their child is with the childminder. The childminder gives recommendations to parents about what to include in the boxes, such as the provision of ice packs to keep food fresh during the day. Children enjoy social discussions at snack time and are eager to share their experiences. Children eat food which is fresh and nutritious.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder uses a variety of methods to allow children physical exercise. For example, they use equipment and play round games, such as short cricket and rounders, in the garden and dance to music indoors. The childminder reports that children especially enjoy doing action rhymes. Children enjoy their physical play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are looked after in suitable premises with a welcoming atmosphere. The rooms which children use are light and airy. Parents and children enter and exit the premises through the garden which has direct access to the playroom. The playroom walls hold displays of children's work which helps them feel at home. The children use equipment such as tables and chairs which are suitable for their size. The toys they play with are checked for safety and hygiene after each use. Children use toys and equipment which are well maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder uses a variety of good health and safety procedures to help keep children safe. Children participate in regular fire drills so that they know what to do in an emergency. They are also constantly challenged about home safety and are all able to give suitable answers. For example, the childminder asks 'why must we clear the toys away when we've finished playing?' or 'why must we not run?' The children all relate these questions to safety. Parents are also advised of the house rules in the childminder's welcome letter. Children have the opportunity to learn about home safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has some good procedures in place to protect children from neglect and abuse. She has a written child protection statement included in her parent welcome letter, which reminds parents of her duty to protect children. Her departure policy also ensures that children are only collected by persons nominated by parents. Therefore children's well-being is promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are offered a range of activities which they use within a structured play environment. They all do activities together, learning how to share and work harmoniously. They happily chat to each other and the adults relating home events and discussing the things they know about. The childminder encourages this conversation and constantly challenges children to think and use their reasoning skills. For example, after having a story the children discussed the rabbit in the story and tried to decide if he was a good rabbit or a naughty rabbit. Children learn numbers, colours and letters as they play with stickle bricks or as they copy and colour letter shapes. They talk about their bodies, what makes them grow and how to keep their bodies healthy. The children are comfortable in their surroundings and have very good relationships with the adults and each other. Children have a good experience at the childminder's.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder's positive attitude towards equality. They regularly see positive images of people from different races and cultures but there are very few images of disability and gender. The childminder's written statement regarding equal opportunities welcomes all children and parents to her setting. The premises are disability friendly. Children learn about each other's differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder's good behaviour management policies ensure children play within secure boundaries and develop self-esteem. The childminder affirms a child's positive behaviour to the rest of the group. This gives them confidence and a feeling of achievement. Children are polite to each other and co-operative with the adults.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works well with parents. Parents receive plenty of written information about the running of her service. They also receive daily achievement reports both verbally and in writing. Parents are encouraged to support their children by getting involved in reading or writing activities when the childminder sends them home. Children benefit from continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has been caring for children for many years. She holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. All adults in the household have been vetted and hold current Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks. The childminder works with an assistant who has also been vetted. Therefore children are looked after by persons who are suitable to do so.

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Organisation

The childminder displays her registration certificate. She has all regulatory paperwork in place and well maintained. Her attendance record contains children's arrival and departure times. She also has lost and uncollected children statements in her welcome pack for parents. Children's records are well maintained, are confidential and are stored appropriately. 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): • provide images of disability and gender which promote positive opportunities for equality

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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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