Dauntsey's School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 126532 Inspection date 06 July 2005 Inspector Jackie Liffen

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and four school aged children in Paddock Wood, Kent. Most of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 3 children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends a parent/toddler group and the local childminder support group. 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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA.)

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health and independence is promoted because they are able to help themselves to a drink at any time. They also benefit from fresh air and exercise when they walk to school or go to the park to play. Although parents of younger children are asked to bring their meals, the childminder tries to ensure that all children gain from having nutritious snacks on a regular basis and she sometimes encourages them to taste different types of fruit. Older children are able to use the bathroom upstairs to wash their hands, however, 2 year olds are not washing their hands before eating neither are they brushing their teeth at regular intervals. The childminder changes nappies downstairs on the carpet in the living room where other children play and needs to take more precautions to prevent the spread of infection. Children are comfortable and secure enough to fall asleep naturally on the sofa where they use available cushions, however, they do not

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Helping children to be healthy

rest their heads on individual slips to maintain cleanliness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder ensures children's safety indoors by using a number of strategies such as stair gates. Sometimes, she prepares her home on return from the school trip, whilst her husband promotes children's confidence and language by conversing with them and helping them to choose toys from the open cupboard in the hall. The childminder tries to ensure that children do not hurt themselves by storing everything carefully because space is at a premium. Children are able to play happily in the secure garden once the dog has moved into his purpose-built home away from their activities. The childminder makes sure that children can play easily with toys that are of a suitable design and well maintained so that they can enjoy purposeful play without fear of breaking anything. Children are well protected because the childminder has a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and has efficient procedures in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are comfortable and happy because the childminder promotes their security by encouraging them to talk about their experiences and families. They are able to name parts of their bodies and are beginning to learn to count toes and other familiar objects such as building bricks. Children enjoy participating in action rhymes and the

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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 spontaneous singing of familiar songs. The childminder tries to extend children's abilities by putting into practice things she has learnt, for example, by using knowledge gained from birth to three matters. She reinforces children's learning by encouraging them to recall concepts and colours that they have previously spoken about. Children appreciate being praised and are progressing well in the stimulating environment. Children are secure and are able to play co-operatively with each other without continuous instruction from an adult. Children enjoy listening and responding to the childminder when she interacts with them and are starting to use language to express their feelings because the childminder promotes their abilities by asking open ended questions. They are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

beginning to understand basic mathematical thought because the childminder encourages them to recognise concepts such as more and less, and to compare size.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are beginning to understand right from wrong and cause and effect, because the childminder gives good explanations of what might happen if they misbehave. She gently encourages children to apologise so that they understand why their misdemeanours are unacceptable without loss of dignity or respect. She also gives lots of positive reinforcement which enhances children's self-esteem. The childminder is able to work well with parents in order to provide for the special needs of some children and encourages all children to be aware and celebrate our diverse society. The childminder ensures that she knows the children and their backgrounds well so that she can help them develop by providing appropriate care according to their individual needs. Parents are pleased with their children's progress and appreciate finding out about their daily achievements and activities from the comprehensive

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Helping children make a positive contribution

diary which the childminder completes each time she receives a child.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and secure because the childminder is well organised. She holds all suitable policies and procedures and has developed her own child record sheets so that she can use these effectively to promote the welfare, care, and learning of children. Her service statement is comprehensive and easily understood by parents so that they can choose the best care for their children. Children benefit because the childminder is committed to continuous improvement and she regularly reflects and monitors the quality of her care in conjunction with parents. Overall she meets the needs of all the children who attend. The childminder is aware of the date when her first aid certificate expires and makes plans to renew

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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 this. She is also proactive in seeking new courses to undertake which may benefit her service. The childminder is aware of the importance of confidentiality and ensures that all her documentation is neatly filed in a drawer upstairs.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to enhance the children's development by developing records, showing examples of their progress and by obtaining relevant information about their backgrounds, to ensure children's needs are met. The childminder has discussed her method of recording children's development with parents who are very satisfied. She also ensures that she is fully informed about children's backgrounds by keeping detailed information about them and their needs. The childminder was asked to produce a fire evacuation procedure, to produce a sickness/illness policy and, to improve on her behaviour management policy. She has completed all of these.

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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): • encourage children to maintain healthy routines and ensure that all steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection.

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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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