Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY232545 Unique Reference Number 16 October 2007 Inspection date Tracy Larnach 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 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and 11 months in Margate, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and a bedroom and bathroom upstairs. 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 two children on a part time basis. When working with an assistant she may care for up to six children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler group. The family has a cat and goldfish. 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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean home where there are effective procedures to reduce cross infection; for example, the tables are cleaned with antibacterial spray, potty's are emptied and sanitised after use and there is a sick child policy. Children learn that washing their hands helps to prevent the spread of germs; however, the childminder has not introduced individual towels so that children do not share towels to help prevent the spread of infection. The childminder's first aid certificate is not current and she has not sought permission from the parents for seeking emergency medical advice and treatment. This has potential to prevent her from acting quickly should a child have an accident or become ill. Accident and medicine records are available. Parent sign to acknowledge any accidents so they are able to care for their children appropriately when they arrive home; however, as of yet medicine has not been given to any of the children

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy garden play or visits in the local community; for example, to soft play areas and toddler groups. Garden toys are available, such as, a play house, slide and ride on toys so children can use their large muscles. The childminder provides the food, children receive a light lunch and a cooked meal for dinner. The childminder provides healthy snacks such as fruit so children learn about healthy choices. She encourages children to try new foods; for example, she sometimes provides a range of different foods on a platter and children can help themselves. The childminder is a role model and sits with the children to eat. Children are provided with plenty of drinks throughout the day to keep them hydrated. Children's individual schedules are respected by the childminder and they can sleep when they wish. This promotes their physical well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are safe inside the childminder's home as she has undertaken an informal risk assessment; for example, she has a stair gate, a fire guard, the plugs are all covered and the premises are secure. However, outside the garden has not been fully risk assessed to ensure the children's safety. Toys are safe, clean and well maintained, enabling children to play safely. Children learn about safety as they play; for example, when a child stood on a chair the childminder explained that she may fall and bang her head. The children's welfare is promoted as the childminder knows the recommendations for sleeping babies so they are put down to sleep appropriately. She has a satisfactory knowledge of child protection to ensure children are safeguarded should she suspect abuse. There is a written evacuation plan, smoke alarms and fire blanket to contribute to children’s safety in a fire; however, the childminder has not

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

yet practiced this with the children so they are familiar with procedure. The childminder has parent’s permissions for transporting children in a vehicle or for taking them on outings and a procedure to ensure the children's safety while away from the home. There is a missing and uncollected child policy in place to ensure appropriate steps are taken to safeguard children in the event of an incident of this type.

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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 satisfactory. Children are able to choose from a selection of toys and equipment. The childminder has made a small role play area, has books in the magazine rack and drawers containing art and craft materials so children can select what they wish to play with. They become social as they play together and are encouraged in turn taking. In addition, they visit toddler groups and meet other children. Children's language is promoted as the childminder talks to them about what they are doing; for example, she discussed recycling as they enjoyed junk modelling, gluing card board and plastic onto paper. Children use their senses; for example, as they experiment with glue spreading it and feeling its stickiness or smell the herbs they have collected. However, not all of the activities are age appropriate and some are overly directed which does not allow young children to show their unique perception of the world; for example, colouring sheets,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

writing letters and flash cards. The childminder has not yet used the Birth to three matters framework to help her promote outcomes for the younger children. Children use their imagination as they play with the role play toys, pushing the dolls in the pushchairs or pretending to do the shopping. They develop their mathematical skills as they sort the play food into groups. Children enjoy books and learn how a book works as they turn the pages looking at the pictures. The childminder is aware that the school- aged children like to 'chill out' after a busy day at school. As a result, they generally watch the television or use the computer. However, the childminder encourages them to become involved in other activities; for example, she makes them games and encourages them to participate in crafts such as mask making. All children are able to revisit activities they have enjoyed as the childminder takes photographs. They

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

delight in seeing themselves, laughing together as they recall what they are doing in the pictures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled in the childminders care as she allows them to settle at their own pace working with the parents. Children enjoy the childminders company and readily approach her to play. The childminder has a set of simple rules in her home that the children understand. Positive behaviour is encouraged through praise; for example, the childminder thanks the children for their kindness towards each other. However, not all behaviour management techniques are positive; for example, the use of the hallway as a 'time out' area. This does not promote the children's self-esteem. Children learn about the local community as they visit local places of interest. The childminder is a positive role model and talks to the children about culture and diversity, discussing celebrations such as Chinese New Year. Resources that reflect positive images of differences help children develop their knowledge and understanding of the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

world are limited to books and dolls at this time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's record forms detail religion and any special requirements so she can cater for their individual needs. The childminder works with the parents to find out about children routines and talks to them daily to ensure continuity of care. A contact book is provided should parents choose. There are policies that inform parents of the childminder's service. In addition, she has sought parent written permission for photographs, outings and transporting children in a vehicle. Contracts are in place outlining business details to ensure that the childminder is providing the care parents wish. However, the childminder does not have any knowledge of the addendum to the standards and as a result is unaware of the regulation regarding keeping a complaints log which is a breach of the regulation.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She uses the kitchen and living room downstairs and a bedroom and bathroom upstairs for childminding. The daily routine is organised to include a range of activities both inside and outside her home. Children are able to move safely inside the childminder's home and are confident to play; however, there is no routine risk assessment outside to ensure risks are minimised. Most of the required documentation for the safe and effective management of the childminding business and for the welfare and care of children is maintained and stored securely; however, a complaint log is not currently in place and the childminder has not kept her first aid certificate up to date although she has a class scheduled next month. The attendance register shows that the childminder complies with her conditions of numbers and the certificate of registration is

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Organisation

displayed for the parents information. All adults living on the premises, including the childminder, have current checks to show they are suitable to be around children. Checks are also in place for the childminder's assistant who mostly helps her in the school holidays. A visitors book is available so that visitors to the premises are monitored and shows when her assistant is present. The childminder has public liability insurance and business insurance on her car.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection there were three recommendations made. These were to ensure the fence panels in the garden are secure and children are unable to leave the garden unsupervised, to ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible on the premises and available for inspection at all times and to ensure that sufficient toys and resources are available to meet the needs of older children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

After the last inspection the childminder repaired the fence panels in her garden; however, since then she has moved and there is a broken fence panel in this garden too. As a result, a recommendation has been made as a result of this inspection to risk assess the garden and minimise any risks to children. The childminder now ensures that all records for the welfare and care of children are readily available for inspection at all times. Finally, she has purchased games, videos, puzzles and books suitable for older children. In addition, she plans games, activities and crafts for them, they also enjoy outings together. This has improved the outcomes for the older 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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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 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): • request written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • risk assess the garden and ensure all risks are minimised prior to the children playing outside • ensure the activities for younger children are developmentally appropriate and support all areas of their development; for example, by the implementation of the Birth to three matters framework • ensure behaviour management techniques are all positive • develop knowledge and understanding of the regulation regarding complaints • ensure first aid training is kept current.

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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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