Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY241101 Unique Reference Number 21 November 2007 Inspection date Beth Kingsland 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 adult daughter and two school age children in Deal, Kent. 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding three children on a rota basis. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. The family has two dogs and one cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn to take care of their bodies and begin to understand the importance of personal hygiene routines. For example, they know to wash their hands after they have been to the toilet and before they sit down to snacks and meals. Their health is assured because the childminder provides a clean and well-maintained environment where good standards of hygiene are maintained. Children's health is promoted because the childminder has written information

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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 relating to their medical history. However, the doctors' details are not obtained for all children. Suitable procedures are in place to administer medication and respond to accidents. However, children's health is not assured in an emergency situation because written parental consent is not requested for the childminder to seek emergency medical treatment or advice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary requirements are fully respected and written details are obtained from parents regarding any special diets and allergies. The childminder is flexible around the meals and snacks she provides according to individual needs and the childminder talks to the children about healthy eating. They benefit from opportunities to engage in a range of physical activities using equipment, including the trampoline and slide in the childminder's garden. Children enjoy walks into the local area, including the park and beach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety is generally promoted when on outings and travelling in the childminder's car because she has suitable car seats and boosters available. She discusses travelling arrangements with parents, although written parental consent for children to travel in her car has not been requested, which may compromise their safety in the event of an accident.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded from harm because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and recognises her responsibilities towards protecting children in her care. She has completed training in this area and has a good awareness of different types of abuse and possible signs and symptoms that may indicate a child was at risk. The childminder is aware of the records to be kept and knows how to implement local safeguarding procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit because the home is generally safe and secure allowing them to generally play safely. Children play mainly in the downstairs lounge, which has been organised to allow them to play freely. The environment is warm and welcoming and children have access to an appropriate range of toys and play equipment. Furniture, equipment and play resources are maintained appropriately and effective procedures are in place to ensure these are checked regularly and are clean and safe, which helps promotes children's safety. However, these procedures have not been implemented in other areas of the home. For example, cleaning materials are not made inaccessible to children and the front door is not locked. As a result, children's safety is compromised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are offered a suitable range of experiences during the time they spend with the childminder. She adapts activities to ensure all children are fully included. Children are provided with opportunities to cook, play a range of number and educational games and complete jigsaw puzzles. There is an appropriate range of resources available to promote children's imaginative skills, for example through a range of role-play equipment and dressing up clothes. Children experience some opportunities to explore creativity, however, this has yet to be extended to allow children to explore and discover independently.

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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. Children are encouraged to play together and to learn to share and take turns using resources whilst in the childminder's care. They develop a strong sense of self assurance and confidence because positive behaviour is promoted and they are praised for completing tasks successfully. The childminder recognises the need to be consistent and use an approach suitable to children's individual age and level of understanding. She has realistic expectations of children's behaviour and they learn the boundaries within her home. Children become aware of their differences and similarities, increasing their awareness of diversity. She promotes a fully inclusive environment where every child is valued and special, and welcomes any child into her care, providing she is fully able to meet all children's individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit because friendly relationships are established between the childminder and their parents. She has a secure knowledge about children's home life and family circumstances. Informal discussion helps to ensure parents are well informed about their child's day and the childminder welcomes discussions at any time with parents securing the links between home and the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall, the childminder has a suitable understanding of the National Standards and is aware of most of the regulations and requirements she must meet. She has recently resumed childminding, after a long break and has adopted a positive attitude towards updating her skills and knowledge by renewing and attending training, and completing relevant first aid training. This helps to promote successful outcomes for children and as a result, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

Children benefit because the childminder is appropriately organised and plans each day appropriately. She keeps accurate records of children's attendance and most of the required documentation is in place. However, the childminder does not ensure she obtains accurate information for all children relating to their individual needs, for example, details of their General Practitioner.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to: ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity; make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint; and obtain public liability and car business insurance. These have been satisfactorily achieved. The childminder has increased opportunities for children to learn about the views, feelings and beliefs of others and parents are aware of the procedures for complaints. The childminder has obtained all the required insurances.

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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 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): • develop clear procedures to ensure that all risks to children are identified and eliminated • ensure children are confident and familiar with the procedures for emergency evacuation • request written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice and to transport children in the childminder's car. Ensure information of the children's General Practitioner is obtained

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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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