Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY279087 Unique Reference Number 05 November 2007 Inspection date Mary Van De Peer 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. He lives with his wife, who is also a registered childminder and their children, in Maidstone, Kent. Most of the ground floor area of the house and a couple of rooms upstairs are used for minding children. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children. He drives or walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a dog and a cat. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties or disabilities. He is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder also receives support from the Local Authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has a recognised first aid certificate which he keeps up-dated. A well-stocked first aid kit is kept both in the house and in the car for use on outings. This means children can be treated effectively if they ever hurt themselves. Clear accident, incident and medication procedures are in place. Records are well kept and shared with parents, who sign any entries

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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 regarding their children. An effective sick child policy helps stop children contracting infectious illnesses. The childminder works closely with parents when he needs to. Children are encouraged to wash their hands regularly throughout the day and a paper towel dispenser has been fitted in the downstairs toilet which will help prevent cross contamination. Children are developing independence and learning about the importance of personal care. The childminder provides resources such as dressing-up and role play, which allows children to use their imagination. Although the garden area is not suitable for children to run about in, they are able to play outside on a daily basis. A local park is visited every day by the childminder and the children, where they can climb, run and learn to balance. They get plenty of fresh air and exercise.

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Helping children to be healthy

Sleeping facilities for babies and older children are available, so children can rest when they need to. The children help with choosing food when they go shopping, as the childminder provides meals, drinks and snacks. These are freshly prepared and include pasta, vegetables, fish and fruit. Children are learning about eating and living healthily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments both indoors and outside the house. Safety measures that have been undertaken include socket covers fitted, bolts on doors and the use of safety gates. Public liability, house and vehicle insurance are valid. The register records children's arrival and departure times and visitors to the house are noted down. The safety of children when travelling in the car is given good attention and the required belts and seats are always used. A fire safety officer recently carried out a house check, to ensure all fire preventative measures had been taken. Smoke alarms, a carbon monoxide detector and fire blankets are located correctly. The emergency evacuation procedure is regularly carried out with all the children, this means they are learning how to keep themselves safe. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures, which are in line with

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the Safeguarding Children Board guidelines. Children's welfare and well-being is given high priority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at the childminder's. They are given a warm welcome and are familiar with where the toys and resources are kept. A wide variety of activities is available for children to choose from. Creative and role play is very popular with the children. They are able to mark-make using paint and crayons. The childminder also encourages them to use different materials to create different marks and textured pictures such as used tea bags and pasta. Children can experiment and try out their own ideas. There is an extensive selection of puzzles, suitable for all age ranges. These help improve children's concentration levels as well as their hand-eye co-ordination skills. Outdoor play is also popular and children can play in the garden whatever the weather. Daily trips are taken to local parks, where children can run around and play on climbing and balancing equipment. Regular visits to places of interest such as a castle

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and rare breeds farm are planned by the childminder. More local trips occur weekly, for example feeding the ducks and the library. Children are learning about their local and wider community.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has cared for children from different backgrounds, including German, French and Nigerian. He makes sure he learns a few words in their first language, to help build a relationship with them. He also assists with looking after a child with disabilities. These experiences enable the childminder to provide appropriate and informed care for all children. A good range of play resources such as books, puzzles, figures and dolls, reflect positive images of race, culture and disability. Children are learning the differences in people and their lives. The childminder ensures he obtains details on children's backgrounds, likes and dislikes, which enable him to meet their individual needs. Children behave very well. The strategies in place, for example praise and distraction, prove successful, and work well with good communication and listening practices. Children feel respected and valued. The partnership with parents is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

good. A folder containing all the relevant information regarding the childminding services is shown to parents when their children start. However, parents do not receive written copies of policies and procedures which they can refer to at home. Written detail about food intake, nappies, sleep times are provided for parents, as well as daily verbal feedback on children's progress and development. This helps ensure children receive continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder's Ofsted registration certificate and public liability insurance information is displayed in the entrance hall. All adults in the household have been vetted and checked according to current requirements. The childminder has a good awareness and understanding of his role as a childminder. He is currently attending Home-based Childcare training, as well as other short courses. This enables him to keep up to date with current child care trends and good practice. He reflects on his practices and assesses where his strengths lie and what his weaknesses are. This enables him to change and improve the quality of care he provides. There are very good, clear policies and procedures, including one for complaints. These practices show how committed the childminder is toward the care he provides. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom he provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were two recommendations raised at the last inspection:

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Improvements since the last inspection

The first one was for the childminder to consider practising emergency evacuation procedure.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Action taken: The childminder gave this appropriate attention to ensure all children are included and understand what is happening. An emergency evacuation procedure is practised regularly and children are learning how to keep themselves safe.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last one was for the childminder to consider providing further resources that promote equality of opportunity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Action taken: The children have a wide selection of play resources which provide them with positive images of race, culture and disability. They are learning about the difference in people.

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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

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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. 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): • consider providing parents with additional written information regarding the childminding service and details on the care of the children

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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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