Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY280720 Unique Reference Number 24 September 2007 Inspection date Karen 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two school aged children in Sheerness. The whole 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 at any one time and is currently minding four on a part-time basis. The childminder lives within walking distance of shops, schools and parks. The childminder attends the local toddler groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children follow good hygiene practices, washing their hands after visiting the toilet, after messy play and before eating. They use paper towels to dry their hands on, helping to protect children from the cross spread of contamination. Children who are infectious do not attend which helps

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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 to prevent the spread of any ailments. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate helping her to administer first aid in the event of an accident. She would seek emergency medical advice or treatment if needed and has written parental permission to do so. There are many opportunities for children to have daily physical exercise as they go for regular walks to the local park. They particularly enjoy playing in the garden where there is large play equipment. This helps children to understand the need for regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children help themselves to a drink whenever they need one as the childminder ensures that beakers of drink are within their reach. The childminder encourages children to drink in order that they remain hydrated. Children receive healthy snacks such as fruit. The childminder has an understanding of healthy eating for young children, encouraging them to develop healthy eating habits.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy their play in a safe and secure environment. The childminder has taken steps to minimise risks to the children who cannot access rooms or items that could be dangerous. Children have easy and safe access to toys and resources appropriate for their age. The childminder arranges a selection of toys and resources that are suitable for the ages of the children being minded. Although this is a small selection requests for other toys from the children are met. The childminder has thought about evacuating children safely from the home in the event of an emergency and has received advice from the local fire brigade. She has discussed this with older children but not practised it with them in order that they are not alarmed should the need to vacate the house arise. The childminder ensures that children are closely supervised when playing in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a reasonable understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. She has a good understanding of the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child. She understands her role in the protection of children and ensures that she shares this with parents when they first place a child in her care. When different people to the norm collect children, the childminder and parents use a password system. All of this helps to safeguard the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and relaxed and enjoy their time with the childminder. She is warm and affectionate towards children, helping them to feel comfortable in their surroundings and to forge a good relationship with her. Children make choices about the toys that they wish to play with from the selection that the childminder arranges for them. The childminder encourages children to do things for themselves but meets requests for help positively, guiding children and giving good support when it is needed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children participate in a wide range of activities at the childminders and at various toddler groups where they socialise with other children and enhance their experiences. The childminder regularly counts with children as they play and a range of equipment helps children to develop mathematical thinking. Children look at books with the childminder and she asks many questions to develop their language. Creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as helping with household chores, playing with small world toys and role-play. There are many opportunities for children to participate in art and craft activities. Children

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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 enjoy and benefit from various outings to local areas of interest, local farms and zoos and to indoor play areas.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder treats children with equal concern, offering lots of praise and encouragement, making them feel good about themselves. She involves children in talk about things that are important to them such as members of their families. Children enjoy looking at photographs of themselves and other children playing at the childminder's home. There is a reasonable range of resources that reflect positive images of diversity within society. The childminder has little experience but a fair understanding of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She seeks advice and support from parents in order that the appropriate care is offered to children. Their developmental needs are discussed and concerns raised quickly. The childminder endorses positive discipline, rewarding good behaviour and setting realistic expectations. She involves parents in devising strategies to manage children's behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents and carers are kept fully informed of the childminder's practice as they receive written information as to the care that the childminder offers. Daily chats and regular telephone calls keep parents informed as to the welfare of their children. A settling in period helps to ease the transition form home to the childminder's. A thorough complaints procedure ensures that parents and carers are aware of how to complain and the process the childminder will take to resolve any concerns they have. Parents are very happy with the care that their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from well-organised space, time and resources and they receive lots of adult support, helping them to feel secure and confident within their surroundings. The childminder keeps herself well informed of current childcare practice as she attends relevant courses. This helps her to offer up to date care to children. Parents and carers are asked to fill in questionnaires in order that the childminder can review her practice and make appropriate changes in order to improve the care that she offers to individuals and to the whole group. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

All relevant and mandatory documentation is in place and well maintained. The certificate of registration is on display meaning that parents and carers are clear as to the conditions of registration. All records are stored confidentially but are easily accessible when needed. Contracts are in place and parents supply information that enables the childminder to offer the appropriate care to children. The childminder keeps a daily register of the times of children's arrival and departure and parents sign this to acknowledge that they agree. However, children's times are not always recorded as they actually arrive and depart meaning that there is not always an accurate record if it is needed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, two recommendations were made in order to enhance the care for children. The first recommendation was that the childminder continues her professional development to enhance practice as a childminder and the second that the childminder continues to develop resources so that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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Improvements 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 The childminder continues to undertake training in order that she improves the care that she offers to children. The childminder has purchased some resources that reflect positive images of society. Children attend toddler groups where they participate in celebrations from different cultures.

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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 childminder is required to keep a record of any complaints made by parents which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Oftsed.

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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): • practise emergency evacuation of the house with children • ensure accurate records are kept of children’s attendance

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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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