Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY245490 Unique Reference Number 12 August 2008 Inspection date Linda Patricia Coccia 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 registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children, aged six and fourteen, in Walderslade, 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 four children, aged between four and ten years. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a pet rabbit. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean home with a welcoming environment, where they learn about hygiene and personal care. The childminder operates a sick child policy and children do not attend if they have sickness, diarrhoea or a childhood illness such as chickenpox. Children's health records are recorded in appropriate accident and medication books. However, the

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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 childminder only has verbal permission from parents regarding individual care issues for their children, for example, to seek emergency medical treatment or administering medication or sun creams. Overall, children's health is promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs can be catered for. The childminder has details of children's allergies on the child record forms. She provides healthy snacks for all of the children and a main evening meal for one of them. The food offered is in accordance with parents' wishes. Children are offered nutritious snacks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for physical activity. They play in the garden with suitable equipment, or accompany the childminder to local parks and physical play areas. Indoors, space is limited for major physical play but there is enough room for large construction play or dancing to music. Children enjoy physical activity.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are able to move around freely on the ground floor of the premises. Age appropriate safety equipment is in place, such as socket covers. Other safety equipment is available if required. The childminder checks the toys and equipment indoors on a weekly basis. The outdoor toys are checked fortnightly. Children use well maintained toys and equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe in the car by the use of appropriate child safety seats. The childminder requests that parents provide these for their child. She also carries appropriate emergency contact information on the children when off the premises with them. Children practise the emergency evacuation procedures on a regular basis particularly when a new child starts. Children have the opportunity to keep themselves safe in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe from harm and neglect as the childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues. However, the childminder does not discuss her procedures with parents. The childminder also has a satisfactory procedure to ensure that children are collected by suitable adults. Overall, children's well-being is promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They have access to a range of toys and activities suitable for their age group. They get involved in a range of activities from craft to physical play in the garden. Appropriate computer games and television programmes are also available. Children have access to appropriate activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Lots of activities involve role play. Children can be policemen or doctors. They take turns in being the patient and can enhance their role play by creating props, such as making name badges for their doctor's coats. The childminder is attentive to the children and plays with them all the time. She allows them to lead the activity and is usually the recipient of their attentions. For example, she has to eat all the play food they cook for her. Children enjoy the childminder's company.

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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 have access to positive images of race and culture in some of the toys they use. There are very few images of disability and gender in the toys although the childminder states that there are a number of images in books. However, these are not available to the children everyday. The childminder has experience of working with children with learning difficulties and disabilities but not in a childminding capacity. Children have few opportunities to learn about equality.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are advised of the childminder's house rules. Appropriate behaviour management strategies are in place to deal with unwanted behaviour and the childminder has discussed her procedures with parents. Children learn about acceptable behaviour both on and off the premises. The children also benefit from the childminder's daily discussions with parents at the end of each day. Information about the children is recorded on the appropriate record sheets. Children receive continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder displays her registration certificate for parents to see. All adults in the household have been vetted and hold current Criminal Record Bureau checks. The childminder has acceptable levels of paperwork completed on each child. The attendance register is completed daily and all relevant paperwork is shared with parents. Paperwork is stored appropriately. Children Act regulations are being met. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the provider received a recommendation to ensure her written service information for parents is up-to-date. Since that time, the provider has regularly reviewed the information it contains and it is currently up-to-date.

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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): • ensure parents sign the permission sheets regarding emergency medical treatment, administration of sun creams, transporting children in a car and outings • ensure parents receive some information regarding safeguarding children and child protection • review current toys for positive images of race, culture, disability and gender and increase the range as necessary. Make the books with positive images more readily accessible to the children

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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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