Sissinghurst Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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118717 Unique Reference Number 31 January 2008 Inspection date S Campbell 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 1992. She lives with her husband and three adult children in a five bedroom, semi-detached house in a quiet residential area of Rainham, Essex. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children full and part-time. Care is also provided for children over eight years. The childminder attends the local childminding and parent/toddler group. The family have a bird (Golden Mantle Rosella).

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 beginning to learn the importance of good personal hygiene care through their daily routine. They are encouraged to wash their hands with liquid hand soap and use hand paper towels at appropriate times. However, children are not always consistently encouraged to wash their hands before mealtimes to minimise the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are appropriate systems in place to record accidents and medication given to children. The childminder is fully aware of the procedures to follow and information is shared with parents to promote continuity of care. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate enabling her to adequately care for children should they sustain a minor injury.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are developing a healthy lifestyle because they regularly engage in outdoor pursuits, for example going on trips to local parks and the woods. Children's good health is further promoted because they receive nutritious snacks during the day, such as fruits.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming and warm setting, which builds upon their self-esteem and confidence. They are well settled and benefit from playing in a spacious, organised environment. This allows them to move, explore and play comfortably.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children have access to a good range of toys to promote their all round development. The childminder regularly checks children's toys for their safety and as a result they are in good repair.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are able to move freely and independently because there are appropriate safety measures in place, such as the use of safety gates, and child safety locks are fitted to kitchen cupboards and drawers. During routine outings children’s safety is further enhanced because the childminder encourages younger children to use safety reins and older children are encouraged to walk on the inside of the road. The children practise emergency evacuation procedures on a regular basis. This helps children become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency. However, fire drills are not documented.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of the procedures to follow if she has a concern about a child, as a result children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy playing with a varied range of resources that allow them to investigate and explore. They benefit from regular visits to a local childminding, carer and toddler group. This allows children to interact with their peers and others.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has developed good relationships with children and during the day they receive lots of cuddles and when upset they are immediately comforted. Children benefit playing with basic role play activities to extend their imaginative skills. They happily wonder around the

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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 home with their dolls, purse and handbag. They inform adults that their baby’s name is “baby”, and then tell the childminder “I am going to buy dinner”.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder knows children well and as a result children are making good progress in their development. Children’s vocabulary is developing very well because the childminder continually talks to children. Children are interested in the resources on offer and toys are provided on request to maintain their interest and learning, such as a Tigger puzzle. They are developing good concentration skills and take pleasure in completing complex and basic puzzles with the aid of the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They have access to a good range of resources that promote positive images, such as dolls, books, puzzles and disability figures. This promotes children's understanding of the wider community, similarities and differences. Children’s needs are adequately met because the childminder has obtained most relevant information about children’s individual needs. However, not all relevant information has been obtained about children’s background.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides an inclusive setting and has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties. The childminder ensures she works in partnership with parents to ensure children's needs are satisfactorily met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and play harmoniously with their peers. They benefit from consistent praise and encouragement. The childminder uses appropriate strategies to manage children's behaviour according to their age and stage of development, which helps children understand right from wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed positive relationships with parents and information regarding children's progress is regularly shared. The childminder continually works in partnerships with parents to move children on in their next stage of development, for example weaning and potty training. This further promotes continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Since the last inspection the childminder has attended a number of courses to further develop her knowledge and practices. This ensures she is able to provide appropriate care for the children she looks after and as a result the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The organisation of the day enables the childminder to adequately support children's care, learning and development. Informal planning allows children to participate in active and quiet activities.

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Organisation

The childminder has devised some polices and procedures and these are fully shared with parents to promote the welfare of children in her care. Records in relation to childminding business are organised and ready for inspection. This ensures the well-being of children is safeguarded.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder now ensures children’s contact numbers are taken on outings. This promotes children’s well-being.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 then 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 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): • improve arrangements to ensure children consistently wash their hands before mealtimes • further develop procedures to ensure fire drills are documented • obtain all relevant information about children's background including culture, religion and first language

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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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