Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY295732 Unique Reference Number 06 March 2008 Inspection date Susan Jennifer Scott 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two young children in a house, in West Malling village. There are local schools, pre-schools and shops within walking distance. The ground floors of the property is mainly used for childminding. There is a secure rear garden for children to play in.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for up to four children under eight years at any one time; of these, not more than two may be under five years and of these, not more than one may be under one year at any one time. No overnight care is offered. There are seven children cared for at present; three of these are under five years old. All children attend part time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children out to toddler groups and collects them from local schools.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder stores food safely and ensures children are not exposed to any risks by using good food hygiene procedures such as storing food safely in the fridge. The children are provided with snacks that are healthy such as fruits, and are offered a drink whenever they need one. This helps them develop healthy eating habits. Children's physical needs are promoted through varied opportunities to play outside in the garden, using local amenities and walking to the local school each day. Children learn to understand the importance of exercise and access to fresh air for a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and is therefore able to administer first aid to children in the event of an accident. She is prepared to seek emergency treatment if needed, using written consent which parents have provided; this ensures appropriate treatment if children need it in an emergency. Children learn about their personal hygiene through good routines such as washing and drying their hands before eating. The childminder takes good precautions to ensure that children are protected by appropriate practices such as using a clear policy for applying sun cream in hot weather.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to feel settled and secure through the organisation and use of space. They benefit from being able to move around safely and independently. They are aware of the rooms allocated for their use and cannot access any areas which are not suitable such as the stairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's physical needs are met through opportunities to play outside or by using local amenities such as a local soft play area. This helps children to understand the importance of keeping healthy through exercise and play. Children benefit from a large and varied range of safe and suitable toys, resources and equipment. These are regularly checked and cleaned and discarded if damaged or if they represent a hazard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to independently access boxes of age appropriate toys which are varied and rotated to ensure their interest is stimulated. Toys and resources are carefully selected to ensure they are suitable and these are checked regularly, as well as when they are put away, to ensure there are no broken parts that could harm a child.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from most hazards in the home by the documented risk assessments. Stair gates and locks on the garden gates are used and the childminder follows basic safety rules if she is cooking in the kitchen doorway. Precautions are taken to prevent accidents. However, even though children are supervised in the home they are not completely protected from the cleaning substances in the utility room which are stored on a fairly high open shelf. Children are encouraged to develop a sense of their own safety through the reminders about road safety and running inside the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder understands how to protect children by ensuring children's welfare is safeguarded through clear written procedures for child protection and confidentiality.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of children's development and needs although she has not received any early years guidance, such as the Birth to three Matters framework and the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. She does however, stimulate and challenge the children effectively by planning flexibly. For example, children explore and discuss the environment when they engage in activities about the topic of 'under the sea'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as art and craft, for instance when they construct flowers for mother's day. They develop their understanding of the topic of transport through the good support of the childminder who plans to enable them to make gliders. Children who attend after school also develop their understanding of behaviour through dressing up for imaginative role play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from playing in the outside environment on a regular basis. They develop their physical skills by walking home from the local school and playing in the park. Children extend their social skills by visiting the library and other facilities such as local toddler groups, where they can play with other children. Children who attend in the school holidays enjoy taking a picnic to the park and playing Frisbee there.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder helps children become involved in play by proving good opportunities for them to enjoy activities such as cooking. For example, they enjoy making their own pizzas for tea and cooked Christmas biscuits.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs and background are recognised and valued by the childminder who uses her knowledge of individual children to guide her care. Children are encouraged to understand and respect differences through the use of attractive resources that reflect positive images, so that they develop a balanced view of society. The childminder has a good understanding of equality of opportunity and a positive attitude towards diversity. She gives good attention to each child, acknowledging their individual interests and preferences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children's behaviour is managed in a positive way, ensuring they are constructively occupied and their interests stimulated through interesting planned activities with good support. Appropriate strategies, according to the age and stage of development, help children understand right from wrong; for example, children are given support to negotiate fair solutions to problems when they play together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops an effective working partnership with parents that promotes the welfare of the children by spending time discussing their individual needs with parents, then building up length of stays gradually so that they settle well. Parents are kept fully informed of the childminder’s practice ensuring children’s continued support and promoting their welfare. For instance, diaries are used for all the pre-school children. A range of information is available to parents including explanatory policies and procedures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children have free access to welcoming play areas, as well as safe and clean resources. They enjoy their play and receive good support and encouragement whenever they need it. The childminder plans appealing activities to ensure children are interested and stimulated environment when they attend. The environment is managed to ensure the safety and effective supervision of the children and the childminder has taken steps to address most of the risks effectively.

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Organisation

The childminder is aware of her responsibility to ensure the documentation is up to date and she has most of the required procedures and documents in place. Although she has provided full records of children's experiences for parents, the childminder has not planned how to retain these to provide a full history of her service.

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Organisation

Parents are kept informed of children's development and can access helpful written information about the service. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was given several recommendations to address at her previous inspection and has made good progress addressing these. All children now benefit from a flexibly planned a range of activities and play opportunities. The childminder provides a first aid box and the contents are checked and replaced as necessary, Children enjoy an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. For example, posters, dolls, books and toys reflecting disabilities tare available. The childminder has some information of child protection issues and is aware of arrangements to provide help and advice locally.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has ensure that low-level cupboards and draws are safe or inaccessible in the kitchen but has to ensure all dangerous substances cannot be reached by any children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which can be seen 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 all dangerous substances and cleaning fluids are included in the risk assessment • review methods for keeping records so that all the mandatory records can be retained for the minimum period

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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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