Childminder in Medway

Inspection report for early years provision

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160773 Unique Reference Number 01 April 2008 Inspection date Janette Mary White 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 2001. She lives with her husband and three school aged children in Gillingham, Kent. All areas of the property are used for childminding.

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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 and is currently minding three. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are provided with a range of stimulating experiences, which promotes their knowledge and understanding of good health issues. They are encouraged to become independent with routine self help skills, such as hand washing. They use soap from a dispenser and paper towels to dry their hands. A changing mat is used when changing children’s nappies, although gloves are not used. First aid equipment is easily accessible but no basic supplies are taken on outings or when taking and collecting children from school. The childminder effectively records

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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 medication, existing injuries and accidents and parents sign to acknowledge these details. She has written permission to seek emergency treatment on the child’s behalf. However, this does not include permission for emergency advice. Children have frequent opportunities for regular visits to local parks and playgrounds to improve children’s physical skills. The childminder describes how they are able to access drinks regularly throughout the day. This encourages children to develop an awareness of the way activity affects their bodies and they are beginning to understand when they need a drink or a rest. Children have an opportunity to easily see the menu as this is displayed in the kitchen. They are encouraged to make healthy choices and the childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure individual dietary needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Smoke alarms are provided on every level and there is a fire blanket easily accessible. The emergency escape plan is not sufficiently practised with all of the children. In addition, this written procedure does not fully promote all children’s understanding or self help skills. For example, there are no pictures to accompany the words for children to easily understand. Children are cared for in a safe, secure and stimulating environment where risks are competently assessed and reduced accordingly. For example, the garden is only used when children are supervised as this area is not secure. Children have space to move around, make independent choices and play freely within safe boundaries. The childminder has a system in place to ensure that all the equipment and the areas in the house used by the children are regularly cleaned. Children are safe and well cared for. The childminder ensures the premises are secure and that

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

toys and equipment are safe and appropriate for all ages and stages of the child's development. Effective procedures ensure the welfare and safety of the children the childminder cares for. The childminder has a competent knowledge of child protection procedures approved by the Local Safeguarding Children Board and is aware of her responsibility to protect the welfare of the child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder does not sufficiently use Birth to three matters framework to adapt activities to encourage younger children’s development and learning. Children are settled with the childminder and their surroundings. They are beginning to show a sense of confidence. From the discussion, with the childminder, she describes how children have time to relax or be active after pre-school. However, some toys stored in boxes are not labelled with words and pictures to aid the children’s independent choice. Resources are organised to encourage children’s opportunities to freely choose from a range of stimulating activities and experiences. These include books, games, puzzles, and interactive toys, which provides some positive images of equal opportunities. This offers the children a broad range of choice when playing with toys and resources. Children are developing a sense of achievement. This is due to the childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

praising them for their efforts. For example, ‘well done for pushing the button to make the music play’. She is aware of younger children’s non-verbal communications, such as their gestures and signs of tiredness. There are many opportunities for children to be creative by experimenting with resources, such as finger paints, drawing, play dough and cooking. Children benefit from lots of close contact with the childminder, as she spends a great deal of time talking and playing with them. For example, she reads stories to them and organises the art and craft activities.

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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 good. Children are only released into the care of authorised adults and there is a procedure in place for emergencies. The parents provide written permission for children to be taken on outings and transported in the childminders car. Children feel secure and benefit from consistency of care, which comes about through the childminder and parents working together. The childminder has a secure understanding of her complaints policy and she has a complaints log book. There is now a system in place to maintain a summary for parents. The childminder describes how she discusses the house rules with children and parents, and how she encourages them to tidy the toys away. She encourages and praises children regularly during their time with her and successfully enables them to begin to care for the resources. Children’s records have details of their appropriate care needs and these are discussed with parents. They are acknowledged and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

affirmed by the childminder and demonstrate a sense of belonging. The childminder has an effective understanding of the importance of treating each child with equal concern and respect. She has a general awareness of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The register does not contain clear details of the hours of attendance as this is pre-recorded with the time of their contracted hours. For example, the record does not show when children are not present and at pre-school. There is a record of when visitors are present and parents are informed. The registration certificate and the Ofsted complaints poster are displayed. The childminder has an up to date first aid certificate in order to ensure appropriate first aid treatment is given to children. All records are easily accessible and ready for inspection and the childminder is aware of how long these must be retained. Children are comfortable and settled within a well organised environment. Their welfare, care and wellbeing is promoted, due to the effective up to date written information, policies and procedures, which are given to parents. The childminder has all the relevant checks. The childminder meets the needs of

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Organisation

the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The previous inspection highlighted six recommendations to ensure; all adults living in the household have a disclosure notice from the Criminal Records Bureau, all paperwork is completed with parents to ensure all necessary information is obtained, hygiene routines regarding nappy changing are implemented to prevent the spread of infection and to maintain a daily register to show when children are present. In addition, to update the service statement, policies and procedures, and review safety measures downstairs, with emphasis on sockets and the fire.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has obtained Criminal Records Bureau checks for all adults living in the household and all the children's necessary information is completed with parents. She has improved the hygiene practices in relation to nappy changing and has maintained the attendance record with the children's contracted hours. However, this record does not record the daily hours of children's attendance. Therefore, a further recommendation has been left in this respect. In addition, she has updated her service statement, policies and procedures, and completed a risk assessment to review her safety measures on all areas used by the children.

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Improvements 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 As a result, children are protected as relevant checks are completed on all adults and hygiene practices make sure the risk of cross infection is limited. They are cared for in an environment where the risks are assessed and appropriate action is taken accordingly. However, the attendance register is pre-recorded with the children's contracted hours and is therefore not a daily record of their attendance. Parents provide all necessary information for their child and they have a clearer understanding of the service statement and the policies and procedures.

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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 understand the fire safety precautions. • ensure the children’s hours of attendance are recorded daily.

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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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