Leadbeater, Elizabeth Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

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156849 Unique Reference Number 19 August 2005 Inspection date Jackie Liffen 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 has been registered since 2001. She lives with her partner and two school aged children in Five Oak Green, Paddock Wood, Kent. The whole of the house is used for childminding apart from two bedrooms. 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 one child under 5-years on a part time basis. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 extend their physical capabilities when they exercise in the park or in the garden on suitable toys such as a slide and a very small trampoline. They are able to rest comfortably on the sofa in the lounge or in the high-sided travel cot which is situated in the childminder's bedroom. Children's health and welfare is enhanced by the childminder who works closely with parents to ensure that she is familiar with their routines and is able to provide drinks or nutritional food at appropriate times. In hot weather children are able to help themselves to drinks at any time. Older children are able to take themselves to the toilet which is clean and contains step stools to help them reach the wash basin. The childminder provides clean towels on a regular basis although children are not using individual towels to help prevent the spread of cross infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to play in a generally safe environment where the childminder uses safety strategies, such as stairgates appropriately, for instance to prevent children going into the kitchen when she is cooking. Children are able to play with good quality toys which the childminder checks on a regular basis; she throws any broken ones away. Although the childminder makes sure that none of the garden plants are poisonous and makes every effort to eliminate potential hazards, it is possible for children to access the lower part of the garden where an uncovered large paddling pool is kept ready for older children. However, both indoors and in the garden, the childminder is aware of steps to take in order to minimise dangers to young children and likes to enable children to have as much independence as their development allows. The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection procedures and is able to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

help protect children by working with parents and professionals to achieve the optimum outcome.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy playing with the toys on offer and are able to investigate and explore in comfortable surroundings where the childminder is aware of their individual needs and is able to promote their development appropriately. They are contented to experiment in a secure atmosphere where the childminder assists if necessary but is sensitive enough to allow them space and time to achieve things by themselves. Their self-esteem and confidence is promoted by the childminder when she reinforces their achievements by praise and encouragement. Children's language development is progressing well and the childminder is using Birth to 3 matters to help guide her in interacting well with children. She uses gentle explanations to help children understand and then moves them onto the next development stage, enabling them to become more and more skilful in communicating. Children persevere in trying to accomplish

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

satisfactory outcomes, for example when trying to find the right hole to post the shape into, aided by the childminder who speaks encouragingly to her all the time. The childminder aids

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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 children to make connections and become competent learners by giving them appropriate resources to use their imagination and be creative in their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a positive attitude towards behaviour management and reinforces good behaviour as often as possible. She has effective strategies to deal with unwanted behaviour; as a result children are aware of boundaries and expectations and treat each other, as well as adults, with respect. Children benefit because the childminder builds up good relationships with parents by keeping them informed about her policies and procedures. Children's security is enhanced because the childminder promotes continuity of care by writing a contact book which goes home with them each day. Parents are pleased with this because it is informative and ensures effective communication between home and setting. The childminder is able to meet the needs of individual children and tries to promote an awareness of equal opportunities by introducing relevant toys and activities. She has a basic knowledge of caring for children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

with special needs which she is hoping to enhance.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder uses her documentation to help her organise her service so that she provides the best possible care for children. She leads an active life and enables children to take part in a number of activities on a regular basis by being highly organised herself. Although some of her records are brief, they are adequate enough to enable her to ensure that she is providing well for the children in her care, and by writing daily diaries she ensures that parents are involved. The childminder is aware of requirements regarding documentation and displays her registration certificate. Her insurances are up to date and she keeps a daily attendance record. The childminder is aware of the importance of confidentiality and ensures that her records are stored in a safe place. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved on her record keeping and has improved her service statement as requested. She is also using a daily diary to advantage in order to record children's developmental progress and uses the printed child record sheets so that she is fully informed of the children's on-going needs.

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Complaints 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): • ensure that children can easily access a range of appropriate toys and consider how to improve knowledge of special needs • improve on existing safety arrangements.

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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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