Childminder in Kent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY252101 Inspection date 17 June 2005 Inspector Mary Van De Peer

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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 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 2003. She lives with her family, including 3 school age children, in Eccles, Aylesford near Maidstone Kent. The whole ground floor area of the house is used for minding children. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time and is currently minding six children. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a dog.

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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 She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children are encouraged to eat healthily. Their individual dietary requirements, as well as their likes and dislikes, are taken into consideration when meals and snacks are provided. Drinks are freely available to children. Although children can clean their hands with a cleanser after visiting the toilet and before meals, there is no hand basin for them to use downstairs. Children are protected from getting illnesses by appropriate preventative procedures being in place. The children take part in a good variety of activities both indoors and outdoors. They have free access to the back garden. They are getting plenty of fresh air. The equipment and activities are suitable to their age and development. Their physical skills are developing appropriately. Visits to local amenities and other attractions, eg the Hop Farm, are included in their routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children have access to the downstairs and garden area of the house. The home is generally safe so that children can move around freely. The premises, equipment and outdoor areas are checked regularly by the childminder, to ensure the environment is consistently safe and secure for children. Written emergency evacuation procedures are available for parents and older children to read. All children are able to practice what they need to do in the event of a fire or other emergency. The child protection procedures in place are appropriate, this helps to ensure children's welfare and well-being. On outings, children are kept safe with the use of appropriate equipment, for example car seats and push-chairs. The childminder sets clear boundaries so that children are aware of what they can do. Parents give written permission for their children to be taken out of the childminder's home. A first aid kit is always available, so that

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children's minor injuries can be dealt with quickly. Any accident or incidents which involve minded children are recorded appropriately. If children require medication administered, this can also be recorded so that all information is readily available for parents to confirm details. Children's contact names and telephone numbers are always with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The minded child is confident and is developing good self-esteem. She knows what

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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 she likes to do and the childminder makes sure that her individual needs are met. All children are able to access suitable toys and activities. They also ask if there is something they want and it is not readily available. Resources children can choose from include books, dolls, construction play, music tapes, programmable equipment, drawing, cooking, craft play and dressing up. They also use the garden, especially in the summer, playing with a variety of large equipment. The minded child is very happy to be pushed around the garden on a wheeled toy. The children are also taken on regular outings, to local amenities and to places of interest. Photographs show all the children thoroughly enjoying themselves at Chessington World of Adventures. The child's communication skills are developing well. She interacts well with the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder and responds appropriately to questions she is asked. She enjoys being read to. She also has great fun dressing up in a Barbie dress and dancing and singing to a Barbie music tape. Her counting skills are progressing, she counts the raisins on her plate easily. The childminder is available to do many things for the child, especially when they are on a one-to-one basis. There may be times when the opportunities for the child to further develop her independence are sometimes missed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children are developing self-esteem and confidence. They are provided with some positive images of the diversities in our society. The childminder discusses the children's backgrounds with parents. This helps ensure that their individual and cultural needs are met. The childminder shows children respect and values their contributions to situations. Photographs of all the children playing happily together show how well they get on with each other. The minded child's behaviour is good and she responds well to the childminder's guidance. Clear boundaries help ensure all children are cared for appropriately and in a secure environment. The childminder speaks to children's parents regularly. Providing them with relevant information about their children's day and what they have achieved. Parents have completed a feedback questionnaire which indicates how pleased they are with the

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's welfare is important to the childminder. She is very organised and has all relevant and required documentation to hand. Her record-keeping is up to date, although her register needs to be more accurate with children's arrival and departure times. She attends additional child care training whenever possible. This helps to improve the quality of care she provides for children and their families. The childminder provides parents with regular feedback about her service and their children's progress. She also seeks parent's opinions, so that she can monitor her childminding provision effectively.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 There are some written policies and procedures, providing valuable information about how the childminder runs her service. However, these are not given to parents, although they can read through them when their children start. Children are offered appropriate care for their age and level of understanding. The childminder provides care for a wide range of children but seems to manage her time well. She gives them her time, attention and allows them to have fun. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the first inspection since registration.

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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 providing parents with written information about childminding service • ensure children have more opportunities to further develop their independence

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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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