Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY276483 Unique Reference Number 04 October 2007 Inspection date Freeda Wildon 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children in Sittingbourne, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is mainly used for childminding. A bedroom upstairs and bathroom are also used. 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under eight on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and the East Kent Childminding Network.

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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. Children are cared for in a clean and nurturing environment where they learn about personal hygiene through the daily routine. Children are encouraged to clean their teeth after meals and wash hands before eating and after using the toilet. Babies have been introduced to suitable anti-bacterial wash and are learning when they should have clean hands. For example, they offer their hands up to be washed as they sit in their highchairs ready for meals and snacks. Effective procedures are in place for nappy changing. These procedures help to prevent the spread of infection but as yet hand drying procedures are not effective.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered varied and healthy foods to help them learn about good health. They make choices and are encouraged to try different foods. Water and drinks are readily available to keep their bodies hydrated. Physical play is a regular feature of the day. Young children enjoy music and movement regularly. In fine weather, children play out in the garden. They regularly visit the park, under fives groups and organised outings where they have lots of opportunities to use large play equipment to develop their physical skills. Babies are gaining control of their bodies as they pull themselves up and cruise around the furniture.

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Helping children to be healthy

A sick child policy and accident and medicine records are all in place to help the childminder act in the best interest of children if they have an accident or become ill.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Formal risk assessments and daily sight checks for safety means children are safe. Children benefit from playing in a spacious well-organised environment that allows them to move around and make good use of the space. Children have easy and safe access to a wide range of stimulating toys and resources appropriate for their age. Toys are clean and well maintained. As a result, children can play safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective outings procedures mean that children are safe when they are away from the setting. They are learning how to keep themselves safe because the childminder explains to them why the procedures, for example, holding hands, boundaries and use of safety equipment ,such as harness and seat belts, are in place. There are effective procedures for the safe arrival and collection of children. For example, the childminder has introduced a password system if a parent is not able to collect the child. This ensures the safe collection of children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's understanding of recommendations for sleeping babies contributes to children's welfare and safety. She has a sound knowledge of child protection issues to safeguard children's welfare and a good awareness of allegations and protecting her family. There is a written evacuation plan, smoke alarms and fire blanket to contribute to children's safety if they need to evacuate the home. Although the childminder talks to the children about fire safety and they have visited the fire station, formal practice of fire evacuation has not yet been established.

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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. Children are happy and settled because they are cared for in a nurturing environment; the childminder is caring and affectionate in her interaction. Children are developing well in their confidence and self-esteem because the childminder constantly praises and encourages them. Their achievements are valued and celebrated; their work is displayed on the walls and in photographs in the scrapbook. They are learning to be independent in their personal care, visiting the toilet and helping to prepare their meals. Babies are happy and secure because the childminder allows them to lead the play. She then supports and extends the play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good knowledge of child development. She knows the children well and plans activities around the children's interests. For example, older children are interested in knowledge and understanding of the world, so the childminder researches and provides resources to develop their knowledge. Knowledge and understanding of the world is further promoted across the age range; photographs show children growing seeds such as cress, carrots and sunflowers. Children enjoy playing in the snow, mixing paint, cooking and making play dough. Babies also have opportunities to participate and experience messy play and malleable materials. Babies like cuddling up to the childminder to listen to stories; she makes good use of props to make stories exciting. A good selection of books and visits to the library means that children are developing a love of books. As yet a formal system of planning and observation to identify

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children's next steps to development has not been established.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel secure because they can bring comforters and favourite toys to help them feel at home. In addition their routines for sleeping and eating are respected. Children are content and are developing good relationships with the childminder and others. They have lots of opportunities to play with other children and meet other adults in a safe environment. This also helps them learn about the local community; a range of resources help them learn about diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved because the childminder has positive strategies in place to manage children's behaviour that takes children's age and stage of development into consideration. Praise, encouragement and strategies, such as time out help older children understand about boundaries. A wide range of meaningful activities means children are stimulated and happy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A strong commitment to working in partnership with parents underpins positive relationships. Contracts are in place recording business arrangements and appropriate parents' permissions are obtained. As a result, there is consistency between home and the childminder. Daily written and verbal feed back from the childminder informs parents of the care that their children receive. A range of policies is available to parents, and the childminder has a complaints procedure for parents but as yet a log is not prepared.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has given careful thought to the organisation of her home resulting in positive outcomes for children. The daily routine is planned so that children have time for outings, rest, play and for meals. Adults in the home have undergone checks to establish their suitability.

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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 Parents are informed of conditions of registration because the certificate is displayed. The attendance register shows that the childminder complies with the condition of the registration and an accurate record is kept of children's attendance and visitors to the home.

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Organisation

All the required documentation for the safe and effective management of the setting and to promote the welfare and care of children is well maintained and stored appropriately. The childminder is committed to providing a good service and has developed her knowledge and understanding of childcare by attending short courses. Her first aid training is out of date; she has enrolled on a course to update her knowledge. She has kept abreast of changes from information received from the childminding group. Therefore, she will be able to take appropriate action should there be an emergency. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for who she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the inspector made two recommendations. They were to complete further training to accomplish accreditation status and ensure emergency treatment consent is accessible at all times. The childminder has successfully addressed the recommendations, contributing to 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 that effective procedures are in place for hand drying • develop knowledge and understanding of complaints procedure and share with parents.

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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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