Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY254679 Unique Reference Number 30 July 2007 Inspection date Rebecca Hurst 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 2003. She lives with her husband and young daughter who is over three years old. They live in a three bedroom semi detached house in a residential area of West Wickham.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

It is near to the local park, shops and schools. There are four children currently on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children have access to the downstairs of the property, which includes toilet facilities. The lounge is used as the main playroom, the dining room is used as a sleep room, and the kitchen is available for meal times and creative activities. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, and attends training organised by the Bromley group. She provides additional activities organised at nearby local centres for stories, rhyme time, arts, crafts, music, singing, mini gym, and toddler groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have three cats and fish, hygienically kept.

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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 are provided with a healthy range of snacks and food. Children have access to their own drinks throughout the day and their dietary requirements are taken into account when the childminder provides their meals. The childminder freshly prepares all of the food for the children and takes into account the children's likes and dislikes. The childminder uses a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables for the children. Children sit together at the table and enjoy each others company at mealtimes, this helps the children to develop their social skills. The childminder also takes the children to the local playgroup where they participate in their lunch clubs to further enhance their social skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have extensive access to physical play. The childminder has set up a broad range of resources for the children to use in the garden, these include a slide, a swing, a trampoline with safety net and various ride on toys. Children learn about safety when using these resources as the childminder reminds the children what they need to do, such as close the zip when on the trampoline and not to stand near the swing when another child is using it. The childminder also visits the local parks and farms with the children, and will visit indoor play areas if it is raining. The children get to benefit from fresh air and exercise.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder maintains a good standard of hygiene throughout the home and ensures the equipment is maintained, regularly checked and cleaned. Children's medical needs are discussed with the parents and the childminder records all relevant details for the parents to check and sign, this benefits the children's well-being. The childminder has detailed accident and incident records which are dated and signed by the parents to ensure the health and welfare of the children are protected. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate and has a well stocked first aid kit in the home. The childminder further protects the children's welfare by having permission to seek emergency medical treatment for the children in her care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into a well organised child centred home. The childminder is vigilant to ensure all safety measures are in place so the children are able to play safely both indoors and out. All hazardous materials are stored in a locked cupboard in the kitchen and procedures are in place for when the childminder organises outings with the children, this helps to maximise the safety of the children. The childminder has a detailed fire plan so she is aware of all of the escape routes in case of a fire; the childminder also ensures the children are aware of what they do in the event of a fire. The childminder is aware of the changes in child protection and is keeping herself and her parents up to date with the local safe guarding children procedures. The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities in relation to the children in her care. However, in relation to supervision, the children are not always appropriately supervised

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

if they want to play in different areas of the house where the childminder can not see all of the children at once.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder builds close and supportive relationships with the children in her care. Children are secure with their carer; they are settled and benefit from a close caring relationship with the childminder. The childminder uses age appropriate activities and resources for the children in her care which are guided by the children's interests and their abilities. She demonstrates a sound understanding of the children's development stages. This helps to ensure activities are suitably levelled, sustaining children's interests and fostering their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a broad range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate activities such as books, puzzles, board games, play dough and role play activities. The childminder works along side the local playgroup the children attend and will focus her activities around the topics the playgroup is looking at, which helps to build on the children's understanding and knowledge of the topics. Children receive a warm and consistent standard of care from the childminder who has a good awareness of their needs and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children who attend the home of the childminder are respected as individuals. They benefit from the commitment of the childminder who identifies the children's individual needs and ensures the children's routines are followed. Children begin to learn about their own environment through outings to the local parks, farms and to the local playgroups. There are limited resources reflecting positive images of disability and of festivals and celebrations from different cultures. The childminder provides an inclusive service and ensures she has the necessary information to meet the individual needs of all of the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Strategies for managing children's behaviour are age appropriate and they focus on positive reinforcement. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement which promotes the children's self esteem, and as a result the children are happy and secure. Parents are well informed about the service the childminder provides through verbal discussions and information the childminder has gathered that would benefit the parents. This is further enhanced as the childminder provides updates, for the parents, of any changes with her complaints procedure and any changes to the care of the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. All of the childminder's paperwork is well maintained. The children's daily attendance is recorded and their holidays are also noted in their attendance records. Space is used appropriately and the day is extremely well organised to ensure that all of the children's needs are met. The environment is child centred which allows the children to be comfortable and at ease in the childminder's care. Records and documents are well organised and used to support the care of the children. Records are clear and concise and the childminder ensures they are kept up to date; these include a series of written permissions which underpins the childminder's good practice. These are shared with the parents to help them gain an insight of the care the childminder provides for the children. The childminder has a thorough understanding of how to keep the children safe from non vetted visitors and ensures she is kept up to date with any

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Organisation

changes in the policies and procedures of looking after children.

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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 Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to improve permissions for children to receive medical treatment and to keep a written record of the medication that is given to the children in her care. The childminder has provided written permission slips for all parents to sign so she can seek emergency help for the children. The childminder has also obtained a medication book from the NCMA so she can record all of the medication that she gives to the children in her care.

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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): • ensure children are supervised at all times during the day • improve resources reflecting equal opportunities and people with learning difficulties and or disabilities

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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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