Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY272924 Unique Reference Number 02 May 2007 Inspection date Melissa Tickner 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 2004. She lives with her husband and children aged four and 10 months in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of National Childminding Association and is also accredited to offer funded places for nursery education for three and four-year-olds.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are developing a clear awareness of good hygiene procedures. The childminder promotes positive practices such as regular hand washing with individual hand towels provided, adopting

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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 sound procedures for nappy changing and maintaining a clean and hygienic environment. These aspects help avoid the spread of infection. Children are provided with healthy, freshly cooked meals, such as spaghetti bolognaise. Snacks, such as fresh fruit or bread sticks are provided, and help ensure children are well nourished and developing an awareness of healthy eating. Drinks are regularly offered to ensure children remain hydrated. The childminder is aware of and caters suitably for dietary requirements. Children enjoy regular physical activity such as playing outdoors, indoor physical play and walking to and from school. Children delight as they play outside; using the slide, ride on toys and see-saw. The childminder supports and encourages this, promoting children's enjoyment of physical activity. All relevant medical and health

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Helping children to be healthy

documentation is in place. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate. These aspects ensure she is suitably equipped to deal with accidents, emergencies or illnesses.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming child friendly environment. They confidently help themselves to a good range of toys and resources which are age appropriate and set out for them. These are regularly rotated to provide them with variety. Children are supervised well and their safety is promoted in practice by the childminder. For example, she maintains an extremely safe home environment with appropriate safety equipment in place such as stair gates, cupboard locks and socket covers. She supervises children carefully when they are playing outdoors and developing their early walking skills. As a result, children are developing an awareness of keeping themselves safe and they are well safeguarded in the childminder's care. Children are kept safe on outings, and when playing in the garden, through the childminder's clear procedures and supervision levels. The childminder has a sound knowledge and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow should she develop concerns. As a result, children's welfare and well-being is considered a high priority and is promoted by the childminder at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled and play confidently in the childminder's care. The childminder offers close support as children play, sitting at their level. She encourages them to make choices from the good range of toys and resources set out at floor level and talks to them about what they have chosen. As they play, the childminder closely interacts with them, offering them a range of opportunities and encouragement. She gives them clear explanations as they work out how to use the toy wheelchair, and offers help as they choose from a wide range of dressing up clothes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Although the childminder does not currently keep evidence of the activities that she plans, a varied range are provided and organised, for example arts and crafts activities, cultural activities and outdoor play. During the inspection children delight at the opportunity to play outside and make good use of the wide range of outdoor equipment. The childminder offers children encouragement as they attempt to use the slide and ride on toys. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child development and offers a wide range of activities and experiences to help promote all areas of development. The childminder is sensitive to children's individual needs and caring and kind in her approach. As a result, children are able to enjoy and achieve whilst in the childminder's care.

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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 are cared for well as individuals. The childminder encourages children and helps them to feel valued and important. Children are offered cuddles, support and close interaction. Consequently, they feel settled and secure in the childminder's care. There are a variety of age appropriate resources promoting diversity, which contributes to children being able to learn about the diversity of our society. The childminder manages children's behaviour positively. Children are praised regularly and encouraged to share and play together. Clear explanations are offered and the childminder uses plenty of positive feedback. This helps them to feel settled and encouraged to behave well. As a result, children are building their self-esteem and confidence. Parents are worked with closely on a daily basis. The childminder has a range of paperwork in place informing parents of her service and she feeds back to them on a daily basis.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

In addition she intends to start using a daily diary for parents in the near future. These aspects help ensure children's needs can be met and parents are able to receive a full range of information about their children's care. A wealth of positive references from parents praises the childminder's work with children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder works from a child friendly home, providing children with an inviting and welcoming environment in which to play. She organises her home well to meet children's needs and is committed to providing a good standard of care to all children. The childminder's organised approach to childminding is enabling her to promote strong outcomes for children. A well organised and stored set of documentation is in place, which includes a clear set of policies and procedures. All required paperwork is in place, with the exception of permission for transporting children in the car. The childminder is committed to updating her strong knowledge and understanding of child development, through attending short training and refresher courses on a regular basis. In addition she keeps an action plan identifying any areas she wishes to develop and build on as a childminder. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection in August 2004 the childminder was set recommendations to ensure resources reflecting disability were increased and permission for emergency treatment consent was obtained. The required permissions are now in place and the childminder regularly borrows from the local toy library and this includes resources promoting positive images of disability.

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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. 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): • ensure permission for transporting children in the car is in place

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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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