Childminder in KentOfsted inspection, 14 Sept 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY153086 Inspection date 14 September 2005 Inspector Linda Margaret Nicholls

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1995. She is registered to provide care for 4 children under 8 years. She is currently minding two children full time and two children part time. Overnight care is not provided. The childminder lives with her husband and two primary school aged children in Gravesend. She walks the children to the local school, attends a local toddler group, takes children to the local parks and library. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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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 The family have several pets including a ferret kept in the garden shed and four rabbits.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children thrive with plenty of fresh air and activities out of doors. They have daily access to the garden and walk to and from the school. This gives time for the children to chat and renew connections with each other, unwind from the school day and enjoy a stimulating physical activity. Trips to the local swing park are also undertaken. Babies are taken to toddler groups and gym sessions at the local sports centre to extend their range of physical activities. Children know how to keep themselves healthy, preventing cross infection by hand washing at various times throughout the day. Older children are encouraged to be independent in their personal care and routine self help skills. Children know to wash their hands before eating food and after petting animals or playing outside. Children develop an understanding of the benefits of a healthy diet. The childminder provides a varied range of light meals and snacks for older children. The menu is

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Helping children to be healthy

displayed, children are offered choice from their known likes and dislikes. Drinks of water and sugar free squash are offered throughout the child's stay. They can access their beakers and cups independently. Meal times are social events where care and consideration for others is reinforced. Social habits are introduced so that children sit at the table and wait for everyone to finish eating before they get down to play. Babies' highchairs are placed so that they participate in the meal time and learn from each other. Working with parents the childminder ensures individual dietary needs are met. Required medical records are clearly maintained and a first aid box is directly accessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children feel cared for in a safe, secure and welcoming environment . They move freely and easily cruising along comfortable household furniture and toy storage boxes that are directly accessible to them. They extend their play enthusiastically through the living room, the conservatory and out into the garden. Children are developing a vital awareness of how to keep themselves safe, particularly walking along the roads, because the childminder uses the green man code to discuss how to cross the roads safely. Effective procedures are in place for outings and trips to the local swing parks and public liability insurance is in place.

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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 The home is well maintained with spacious uncluttered areas providing plenty of room for floor play. Table activities and messy play are provided for in the conservatory. Children are encouraged to be physically independent. They can access the toilet and hand basin. There is good natural light and ventilation. Hazards and risks are identified and minimised throughout the areas used for childminding. Toys and equipment suitable for their developmental needs are checked before being presented for play although this is not recorded. Storage is bright and cheerful, encouraging its use and keeping play areas tidy. Entrances are secure and procedures for the safe collection of children are in place including the identification of adults permitted to collect children. Emergency contact

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

numbers are available at all times and accident records are correctly maintained and signed by parents. An emergency plan has been considered and parents are reassured that children's safety and care is effectively managed. Children's welfare is promoted with details of child protection contact numbers, a written statement for parents, an awareness to record incidents of concern and contact details of the regulatory body. The childminder has been proactive in her professional training undertaking a child protection course since the last inspection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children show an established self confidence and sense of belonging. They are happy to interact with the childminder directly on waking with hugs and gentle touches. They constantly engage the childminder with pre speech chatter demonstrating contentment and secure levels of well being. The childminder uses her professional knowledge of how children learn to ensure activities are adapted to promote the development of the children attending, such as providing toys which develop manipulative skills. Children are challenged, supported and make good progress in their individual development. For example a child crawled in and out of a play tent throwing plastic balls to the childminder. She smiled and chatted to the child who responded and moved onto to a play mat with a variety of large stacking toys and a box with a door which she investigated. A variety of social events and outings are planned into the week so that children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

develop sharing and social skills. Visits include trips to local swing parks and leisure centres for tumble tots and gym activities. The well maintained garden is secure and available for play throughout the year so that children experience seasonal change and all local weather conditions. The childminder builds on her knowledge of the children to plan further activities for them. One child is ready to walk very soon so opportunities are given to allow her to pull herself up and use push-a-long toys and to cruise furniture. Older children are provided with a range of equipment including craft supplies, writing materials and toys appropriate to their ages. There are several objects providing awareness of

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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 other cultures and beliefs supported by music, books and small world figures. The childminder shares children's daily achievements with parents at collection.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children and babies show self confidence and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging clambering onto the childminders lap when they wake. They are sociable and initiate communication. They are learning respect for each other and learning about differences and similarities. The childminder treats each one with equal concern. Young children learn social rules and caring behaviour as when they wait for other children to finish their meal before they leave the table. Older children understand the house rules and follow the consistent boundaries set by the childminder. Children are well behaved and respond positively to praise and encouragement as when the childminder thanks the baby for bringing her a piece of another child's toy. The partnership with parents is caring, committed and professional. Children benefit from the consistent long term care they receive. Parents are welcomed at any time

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and as a result there is highly effective communication between the childminder and the children's carers. They have access to all policies and procedures and know how to contact the regulatory body.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children respond eagerly to a well organised and stimulating environment. They initiate and extend their own play and learning. A superior range of documents, reports and certificates are displayed and accessible to parents. The range is exceptionally comprehensive, showing national and local information reflecting early years care and education. Record keeping is clear and current and held securely. Planning is professional but not inflexible so that children's interests and stage of development are stimulated and supported. The childminder shows her enthusiasm for the recent knowledge she has acquired and this is reflected in her creative practice. She has a broad and thorough understanding of the national standards and requirements of registration. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The provider has followed the previous recommendation to maintain up to date records of accidents and to acquire the contact numbers to be used for child protection concerns. Parents now sign the accident book on the day of an incident and contact numbers of child protection concerns are now held on file.

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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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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 methods to reassure and inform parents of the safe monitoring of the premises, toys and resources used for child care.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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