Amos, Victoria

Inspection report for early years provision

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156681 Unique Reference Number 07 September 2007 Inspection date Beth Kingsland 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged three and six, in Folkestone, 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 four children under eight years, and is currently minding three children on a rota basis. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has two rabbits.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children gain an awareness about the importance of eating a healthy balanced diet because the childminder provides healthy options at snack times, such as a selection of different types of fruits. They benefit from a home cooked meal at tea time and sit at the table with their peers helping develop their table manners and social skills. Children discuss different types of food

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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 recognising why their body needs a balanced diet. They begin to understand the importance of physical exercise as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Children benefit from opportunities to engage in a range of physical activities in the childminder's garden. For example, they play with balls, use the slide and negotiate different sized bicycles. They make frequent visits to local parks and indoor adventure playgrounds, which enables them to use a range of larger apparatus and learn to take risks in a safe and controlled environment.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children's health is promoted because the childminder's home is clean and good standards of hygiene are maintained. Their health is promoted in the event of an accident because the childminder has up to date first aid training and knows how to administer emergency first aid. Children become aware of the importance of looking after their bodies, as they are reminded to wash their hands before main meals. However, procedures have not been extended to ensure children wash their hands at snack times and during nappy changing routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children begin to learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, they are reminded to sit on chairs properly and discuss and practise procedures for emergency evacuation in the event of a fire. Their safety is promoted when on outings, and travelling in the childminder's car, because written consent is obtained from parents and suitable equipment and car seats are used. Children benefit enormously because they move freely and safely around the childminder's home. The childminder recognises potential risks and hazards and takes steps to minimise these within her home. For example, a stair gate is placed across the entrance to the kitchen, preventing children from accessing this area unsupervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Equipment and play provision is suitable for the ages of children attending and they benefit enormously because it is well organised and presented in low level storage trolleys, open shelving units and in labelled boxes. Consequently, children can access the full provision independently. Suitable procedures are in place to ensure all furniture, equipment and resources are clean and checked on a regular basis, which helps keep children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder fully understands her role with regards to child protection issues. She has completed training in this area and has a very good understanding of the different types of abuse and possible signs and symptoms that may give cause for concern. The childminder has written policies, which she shares with parents, and is aware of how to implement local safeguarding procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have a wonderful time in the childminder's care and are extremely settled and confident. They happily leave their parents and run in excitedly to play with their peers. Interaction between the childminder and children is extremely positive. Children climb onto her lap for a cuddle and share stories and secure positive relationships are established. The childminder is highly effective in the way she questions children, using every opportunity through children's play to extend their learning. For example, when playing with bricks, children took delight in knocking down the towers they had built.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to be creative and independently access a wide range of media and materials, expressing their imagination through creative activities. For example,

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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 children freely draw and paint. They receive good opportunities to develop their language skills, as the childminder constantly questions the children and encourages them to respond.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children benefit, as the childminder has a good knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework. She has independently developed assessment records to ensure that children's progress and attainment is regularly monitored. As a result children make good progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's behaviour is very good and they play extremely well together because they know what is expected of them. The childminder has a written behaviour management policy, which she shares with parents, and this helps to ensure children learn the boundaries within her home. They are encouraged to talk through their problems and work out solutions together when issues arise. The childminder promotes positive behaviour and continually praises and encourages children when trying new things for the first time. As a result, children display high levels of confidence and self esteem. They develop a real sense of belonging as they choose their own activities and initiate their own ideas and pack things away when they have finished playing, which helps develop a sense of responsibility.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children begin to gain an understanding of diversity and the world around them because the childminder talks to them as they play. She uses resources and incidental opportunities, to help children recognise and value the similarities and differences between themselves and others. Children engage in planned activities linked to special events, such as Easter and Chinese New Year, which helps them learn about a range of cultures and customs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very good understanding about equal opportunities, and ensures all children are treated as individuals promoting a fully inclusive environment. Children benefit from the extremely secure partnerships between the childminder and their parents. This helps establish positive relationships and helps them develop a sense of security. Parents are well informed about the service the childminder provides and receive informal feedback about their child's day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The daily routine is well balanced to meet the needs of the children. All adults living in the childminder's home have undergone checks to establish their suitability and a visitor’s book is in place to contribute to children's welfare. The childminder holds a relevant childcare qualification and ensures that she is up to date with all relevant information relating to child care by attending many training courses. As a result, she is able to provide good outcomes for children.

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Organisation

Parents are informed of conditions related to registration because she displays her certificate in a prominent place. The attendance register is well maintained with details of children's times of arrival and departure. Consequently, the childminder is able to show that she complies with the conditions of registration.

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Organisation

All the required documentation for the safe and efficient management of the setting is very well organised and extremely well maintained. In addition the childminder has produced many written policies about her service that she shares with parents. As a result, children's care and

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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 welfare is very well promoted. Rigorous systems are in place to enable the childminder to monitor, review and evaluate the service that she provides to identify any training needs and improvement in the provision so that outcomes for children are excellent.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection two recommendations were made. These were to develop knowledge of child protection issues and develop a sick children policy. The childminder has successfully implemented these recommendations resulting in good outcomes for children.

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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): • ensure children are introduced to clear routines for handwashing

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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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