Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY266456 Unique Reference Number 30 November 2007 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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two young children in Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Most of the 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 three children at any one time. She is currently minding two children under five on a part time basis. The childminder drives or walks to local pre-schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group and childminding group. The family have two cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are easily learning to understand simple good health practices. The childminder helps them to wash their hands before eating, after visiting the toilet and when they are sticky or messy. A coloured-in poster displayed by the wash basin helps children remember hygienic routines. They see to their own needs because the childminder provides small steps and a seat

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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 adaptor to help them. Children are well protected from infection as they use their own towels and flannels which are washed on a daily basis. Children have plenty of opportunities to extend their physical abilities as they go out for regular walks or play with the equipment in the garden. Young children comfortably sleep when necessary in a travel cot using individual linen. Older children rest on the large sofa and the childminder puts clean cushions under their heads to prevent the spread of germs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished as the childminder prepares sustaining food for them. She details menus in her policies so that parents are clear how children benefit from eating well. For example, children sometimes enjoy sandwiches with healthy fillings such as cheese or ham. They also have all their dietary needs met during the day as they help themselves to fruit as a snack; or relish eating cooked meals such as home made fish pie with a range of vegetables, followed by yoghurt and fruit. Children all have their own non-spill cups so that they help themselves to a drink whenever they are thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in extremely welcoming, secure and child-friendly premises. Where the childminder ensures the setting is totally suitable for the purpose and implements her well-written policies and procedures, so that children do not come to harm. Children benefit because the childminder undertakes daily checks for safety and reviews her risk assessment regularly. For example, when a Christmas tree is up she makes a special point of checking this to ensure children are not exposed to dangerous situations. Children play freely throughout the downstairs of the house. The childminder uses a range of strategies, such as cupboard locks, to ensure that they move easily and safely through the kitchen to reach the downstairs cloakroom. All children are included because they use suitable and safe furniture and equipment, at their level, which the childminder checks regularly to ensure that nothing is broken. They

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

have free access to a very wide range of resources such as a toy cooker and pretend food, baby slide, activity centre, shape sorter, dressing up, musical instruments and arts and craft.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are helped to avoid accidental injury by the childminder who takes every precaution to protect them from possible dangers. For example, she ensures that sockets are covered; stair gates are placed strategically; and children are prevented from reaching the fire by using a fixed guard. The childminder also covers the hearth so that children do not bang themselves on it. Children are well protected from the dangers of fire as the childminder checks that her very efficient electric smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are always in good working order. The childminder promotes children's safety on outings by carrying emergency equipment such as a first-aid kit and relevant telephone numbers; she also ensures that they sit safely in suitable kiddie seats. Children's welfare is paramount with the childminder who has an excellent knowledge of child protection procedures and how to safeguard children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children very quickly settle in the childminder's comfortable home where they easily access a range of toys to stimulate them and help their development. Children progress well because the childminder organises and plans interesting and educational activities for them. They are beginning to interact and speak clearly whilst showing an awareness of the listener because the childminder takes every opportunity to introduce lots of appropriate conversations about

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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 various topics. She also appreciates the value of extending the provision by displaying appropriate interactive pictures at children's level, so that children's interest and ability are further promoted. Children are becoming confident to make decisions, explore and investigate. They are happy to play alone or co-operatively and sometimes initiate singing rhymes which everyone joins in.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are becoming confident to make decisions and investigate independently, as they choose from a range of books and activities which they enjoy playing with. They are learning to socialise and behave responsibly, as they help to clear away toys in readiness for a planned activity. Children enjoy physical play in the garden or when on outings; they also visit the library regularly or play happily at a toddler group, where they often experience music and movement. Children's creative development is progressing well because the childminder takes every opportunity to introduce age-appropriate craft activities. They are also learning a number of mathematical concepts as they play and learn to count. For example, when they use finger puppets to count the frogs in an appropriate action song.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are highly respected and included by the childminder, who treats them with equal concern by valuing children's individuality and helping them to feel good about themselves. Children are regularly helped to appreciate each others similarities and differences by the childminder who provides a number of toys and activities which reflect diversity. For example, children play with dolls with different skin tones, puzzles depicting various nationalities and situations and play people with disabilities. Children have their specific needs met well by the childminder who works hard to ensure that all of them reach their potential. For example, when the childminder cares for a child with autism. She thoroughly researches the best way to help him by reading books, looking at the internet and working in close partnership with parents and professionals such as the health visitor.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave extremely well because the childminder uses very effective methods to help them learn to respond to appropriate expectations. She positively reinforces their good behaviour as often as possible, by praising and encouraging, so that children develop self esteem and learn to work harmoniously with others. For example, children learn to share their toys because the childminder invites them all to bring a bagful of their own to the setting to show and play with the others. Children's continuity of care is enhanced by the childminder who works very closely with parents to agree and consolidate appropriate childcare methods. Parents are extremely pleased with the care their children receive and say that children have a wonderful time because the childminder organises such interesting activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's security and welfare is perpetually enhanced because the childminder is very efficient; she has an extremely clear sense of purpose and is committed to continually improving her service. The childminder holds a relevant professional qualification and ensures that children benefit from her knowledge and experience by taking further courses whenever possible. Children thrive in the setting because the childminder has an extensive knowledge and understanding of child development which she puts into practice. Children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to take an active part in the setting are always enhanced

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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 by the childminder who is highly organised and takes an active interest in maintaining up to date procedures. Children are secure because the childminder adheres to all the regulations and continually works with parents in order to provide optimum care for all of them. Their well-being is enhanced because the childminder gives very high regard to making her policies and procedures work in practice so that children's welfare is promoted in all areas. Her documentation is comprehensive and exceptionally well presented.

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Organisation

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 was asked to ensure that children can reach the toys easily. She has now brought down a large supply and installed a specific cupboard full of toys which children easily access. The childminder has also developed an up-to-date complaints procedure in response to a previous request to make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint.

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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): • consider extending the provision by displaying appropriate interactive pictures at children's level.

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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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