Childminder in Medway

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY218170 Inspection date 06 September 2005 Inspector Virginia Cooper

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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 satisfactory. 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 2002. She lives with her partner and two school-age children in Penenden Heath, Maidstone. Most of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Children are accompanied if they play upstairs. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time. There are four children currently on roll. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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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 childminder supports children with special educational needs. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good relationship with the childminder and are 'at home'. They are confident and able to express how they are feeling, and talk about their likes and dislikes. They are familiar with the daily routine and consequently know what to expect and feel secure. Older children take themselves to the toilet, encouraging their independence. Younger children are escorted until they are confident to go alone because the toilet is upstairs. Children wash their hands before eating, after using the toilet and when they come in from the garden. They are learning the importance of good hand washing procedures. Children enjoy outdoor play in the fresh air; they regularly play in the garden and go to the park. The childminder does not care for children who have contagious ailments ensuring children are not at risk of cross-infection. Children who become poorly whilst with the childminder are comforted and made comfortable until their parents are able to

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Helping children to be healthy

collect them. The childminder has good procedures in place about the administration of medication to ensure parents are well informed and children are not given anything that is unsuitable. She has not however, obtained written parental permission to access emergency medical treatment or advice in an emergency. The childminder records any accidents and any first aid that is administered whilst the children are in her care. This results in parents being well informed about what has happened to their child. The childminder's first aid qualification has recently expired; however, she is attending a course soon to enable her to administer first aid to children in the event of an accident or emergency. The childminder has a flexible arrangement with parents about the provision of food; sometimes she provides their meals and sometimes the parents provide. They work co-operatively to ensure children have a healthy and nutritious diet. She provides

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Helping children to be healthy

healthy snacks like fruit throughout the day. Children understand which foods are healthy and good for them. They always have access to drinks; they recognise their own cups and these are refilled regularly to prevent them being thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a clean and well-ordered environment allowing them to move around

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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 easily and safely. They cannot access areas that are hazardous, keeping them safe. The garden is secure and fully enclosed and children cannot escape or wander off. Most safety equipment is in place; however, children are not protected from electrical sockets. The childminder has not risk assessed new activities, for example using the bouncy castle. The childminder has missed opportunities to teach children how to make good safety decisions for themselves. The freezer was identified at a previous inspection as potentially hazardous to children; the childminder has not fitted a lock and therefore it is recommended that she assess how children will be kept safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has considered the children’s safety in the event of a fire. There is a fire blanket in the kitchen and smoke alarms are located on each floor of the premises providing an early alert in a fire. The childminder selects toys and resources carefully for their suitability and these are checked regularly to ensure there are no broken parts that could harm a child. Children are always in the direct care of the childminder and therefore will never experience the unsupervised company of unsuitable adults. The childminder understands her role in the protection of children and discusses this with parents when they first place a child in her care. She has a fair understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and believes that she would recognise if a child were being abused enabling her to protect them, however she thinks additional child protection training will be beneficial.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled sensitively when they start coming to the childminder, she understands how important it is for children to feel comfortable and valued. Children celebrate other festivals and their knowledge of other cultures is being extended. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and the importance of providing age appropriate activities, therefore children will have opportunities to learn whilst they are playing and enjoying themselves. Children make choices about the activities they undertake; the childminder helps them gather the equipment they want to undertake their chosen activity. They regularly visit the library and enjoy story time. Children enjoy talking about topics that interest them, for example their recent visit to the zoo. They plant flowers, care for them and learn how things grow. They like to feed the birds and these activities encourage the children to take an interest in nature. They

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are learning to amuse themselves and can play happily without adult support. The childminder often gets down to their level and plays with them, extending their language skills and understanding with skilful questioning. Children enjoy creative activities; they use different materials to make things. They cook with the childminder learning how to measure, mix and bake, turning raw ingredients into familiar food, for instance bread and rolls.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder records children’s specific needs enabling her to provide a service that takes account of children's individual needs. She purchases equipment carefully. Children have access to books and toys that reflect our multi-cultural society positively. This helps children challenge stereotypes. Children with special needs are welcome and the childminder considers their individual needs when playing with them to ensure they gain the maximum benefit from each activity. Children respond well to positive praise and encouragement when they behave well, helping them understand the difference between right and wrong. Children negotiate successfully with one another to get what they want or when they want to change games. They have a sense of fairness and share nicely. Partnership with parents is satisfactory. Parents and the childminder exchange information verbally most days; this results in the childminder knowing anything

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Helping children make a positive contribution

important to the child that is occurring at home. Children's achievements are also recorded in a contact book; this provides parents with a permanent record of their child's progress and helps to identify if a child is experiencing any difficulties. The childminder knows who will collect the child and systems are in place to ensure children never leave with strangers. The childminder writes a monthly newsletter for parents keeping them informed about what their child is doing.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder works with another registered childminder during the day and only uses her own home to care for children before and after school, and in the holidays. She keeps all the documentation that relates to her childminding business together and confidentially. Her registration document has been available in a folder for parents to see, but has not been displayed. She keeps all the required records, consequently, parents are kept well informed. There is a routine to the day that the children are familiar with helping them to feel secure. The childminder researches the internet looking for interesting activities to undertake with the children. She plans activities that provide a range of learning opportunities. The childminder understands the importance of confidentiality and a good working relationship with parents. Parents provide detailed information about their child to

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Organisation

ensure the childminder can provide an appropriate service. They provide telephone numbers for emergency contact. The childminder writes a newsletter each month, keeping parents informed about what their child is doing. They have not however, been made aware of her complaints

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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 procedure. She understands she has a duty to inform the registering body of any changes to her circumstances that might affect the welfare of the children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder is aware that behaviour management techniques must take account of the children's age and stage of development. She understands that some records must be retained for a period of two years from the date of the last entry. The attendance register records the hours of attendance for each child. There was a concern about children accessing the freezer at the last inspection. The childminder discovered that she was unable to fit a lock. It is recommended that she carries out a risk assessment in respect of the freezer that details how children will be protected.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • obtain written parental permission to access emergency medical advice and treatment • display your registration certificate during the hours that childminding occurs • ensure that regular risk assessment is carried out especially for new activities and consider how children might learn to make good safety decisions for themselves • access a child protection course

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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 • write a complaints procedure • carry out a risk assessment and identify how children will be protected from accessing the freezer, as a lock cannot be fitted • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • ensure children are protected from electrical sockets

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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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