Childminder in Medway

Inspection report for early years provision

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156036 Unique Reference Number 02 August 2007 Inspection date Linda Patricia Coccia 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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged over eight years, in Hoo, near Rochester, 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding five children between the ages of three years and ten years. The childminder walks or drives to local schools and pre schools to take and collect children, depending on the weather. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Good procedures are in place to help children become aware of personal hygiene issues. The childminder promotes hygiene with the children through regular hand washing, especially when handling food during food activities. Children use hand towels which are changed daily. Children are able to explain why they need to wash their hands regularly. Children learn about personal

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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 hygiene. The childminder has appropriate record books in place to record accidents and medication. So far there have been no entries in her latest book. The currently minded children are all healthy and do not have any special health requirements. Children's health is promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat and drink in the kitchen. Water is always available for them throughout the day. The childminder works closely with parents to provide appropriate food, but they have the option to provide packed lunches for their children if they want to. The childminder encourages children to try different foods and always informs parents when children try something new. Children are offered a selection of food which is healthy and nutritious.

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Helping children to be healthy

A secure outdoor space is provided. The children use a variety of equipment, including a trampoline and a slide, in the garden. They regularly visit the local park, go swimming and use indoor activity centres. Indoors, children do lots of dancing to music videos and often make up their own dances and plays. The children walk to and from school but this depends on the weather. Children engage in physical activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are looked after in a clean, well decorated premises with a homely atmosphere. They use the large lounge to play in and utilise the kitchen for messy play activities. With their parent's permission, older children often play outside the front of the house but always within sight and sound of the childminder. Children have a variety of areas to play in.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are aware of safety issues. For example they know they must inform the childminder if they spill anything as this could make the floor slippery. Socket covers are always used and a stair gate is on the stairs. Children are looked after in rooms which are secure, safe and suitable. The childminder also ensures that toys are suitable and stored appropriately, to allow easy access by the children. Children are kept safe when they travel in the childminder's vehicle. They all have appropriate safety harnesses and seats. Good procedures are in place to protect children in emergencies. For example, the children practise emergency evacuation procedures regularly but the childminder does not record that the drills have taken place. Children have the opportunity to keep themselves safe in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good procedures are in place to keep children safe from abuse and neglect. The childminder's well written safeguarding children policy is shared with parents and includes local authority contact numbers. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and has a record book to record children's existing injuries. There is also a suitable departure policy in place to ensure children are collected by appropriate persons. The childminder will always contact the parent if she has any doubts as to who is to collect a child. Suitable passwords are in place. Children’s well being is promoted

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a variety of toys and activities to ensure young children progress in all areas of their development. The childminder reads stories with the children and challenges their understanding and thinking. For example, children may be asked what the time is and position the hands on the clock. Children like to read themselves stories by looking at the pictures and relating what they see. The childminder does not have a copy of the Birth to three matters framework. However, she is aware of the new Early Years Foundation Stage which is

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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 be introduced next year and is aware that she needs to attend an information session with Medway Council to obtain an information pack.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans topics and activities for children, particularly for the older ones, during holiday periods. For example, cooking activities one week and making puppets and theatre activities on another week. The older children report that they really enjoy the cooking activities especially as they eat what they make for lunch. They also have plenty of opportunities for free play during the day, choosing activities from the range available. Children enjoy their time with the childminder. One child gave the childminder a kiss on the cheek and said 'I love you'. Another child drew a card for the childminder. She had written ' to the best childminder in the world' on it. Children demonstrate they have good relationships with their childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. A suitable range of toys showing positive images of equality are available every time children attend. The childminder has a good range of books with good equality content. Children use black dolls and have suitable role play equipment giving positive images of race and culture. Watching suitable, supervised television programmes give children positive images of gender and disability. Information contained in the childminder's service statement shows her understanding of children as individuals and the importance of being fair and equal to all. She helps children to understand about disabilities. Children learn about all areas of equality.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are good behaviour management strategies are in place to help children learn about their behaviour. The childminder uses 'time out' and gives children 'thinking time' to allow them time to cool down and reflect on their behaviour. Parents have asked for guidance from the childminder for help with behaviour issues at home. This enables the children to have consistency and know their own boundaries. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement for their work and behaviour. They are generally well behaved and polite and co-operate well with the childminder. Children play within well defined boundaries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has obtained a number of very good, written references from parents. In them, parents describe the childminder as 'flexible', 'aware of children's needs', 'providing lots of activities', 'helping children develop', 'friendly and caring', 'responsible and reliable'. The childminder gives parents verbal updates about their children which they are quite happy with as stated in their reference letters. She obtains written permissions from them for outings, transporting children in a vehicle, administering sun creams, observations and taking children's photographs. Children benefit from continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has good procedures in place to ensure people in contact with children are suitable to do so. All adults residing on the premises have been vetted. The childminder has attended a childminding course and some other short courses when they fit in with her childminding. The childminder reports that she has had difficulty finding a suitable paediatric first aid course to refresh her training. She will enrol on one as soon as possible. Children are looked after by suitable persons.

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Organisation

The childminder has all regulatory paperwork in place, which is well maintained. Her registration certificate is displayed. Her attendance record shows children's arrival and departure times 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 is up to date. Children's records are fully completed with the aid of parents and are well maintained. All the children’s records are confidential between the childminder and parents. They are stored appropriately in a high kitchen cupboard. 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 has followed recommendations made at the last inspection. They were to ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible on the premises and available for inspection at all times. Make available to parents a written statement and procedures for complaints and how child protection concerns will be recorded and reported. And finally, to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has updated her paperwork and now has procedures and statements in place concerning safeguarding children and receiving complaints. She obtains written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment for their children and all records are easily accessible and available for inspection.

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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): • record and evaluate the emergency evacuation drills when the children practise them

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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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