Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY262749 Unique Reference Number 25 January 2008 Inspection date Melissa Turner 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and eight in Orpington, 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five on a part time basis. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is also a member of the National Childminding Association Quality first quality assurance scheme which is valid until November 2008.

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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 good. Children are developing a good understanding of keeping themselves healthy. They are encouraged to wash their hands before eating snack and use their own hand towel to dry them. The childminder keeps wet wipes readily available should children need them and maintains a very clean and tidy home. These aspects help prevent the spread of infection. Children develop a good awareness of healthy eating as the childminder provides nutritious snacks such as banana and raisins, which children thoroughly enjoy. A clear menu planner indicates a healthy varied diet is provided for children. Children stay hydrated because they help themselves to their beakers of water set up at the kitchen table, when they wish.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from physical activity as they often walk home from school and play outdoors in better weather. Indoors, they enjoy physical activity such as playing with balls and using a hopscotch mat. As a result, they are developing a sense of enjoyment of physical play. All relevant medical and health documentation is in place and the childminder has a valid first aid certificate. These aspects ensure she is suitably equipped to deal with accidents, emergencies or illnesses.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming child orientated environment. They help themselves to a wide range of toys and resources organised accessibly in a low level storage chest, shelving and boxes in the play area, designated for their use. Children are supervised very well and their safety is promoted in practice. For example, the childminder ensures children are strapped in to their seats at snack time, and completes a fire evacuation monthly. Very good safety measures have been taken around the home which helps ensure children are well safeguarded in the childminder's care. Children are kept safe on outings through the childminder's thorough procedures and supervision levels. The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow should she develop concerns and a course in this aspect has been completed. As a result,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children's welfare and wellbeing is considered a high priority and is promoted by the childminder at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and established in the childminders care. They relate well to her and appear well supported and comfortable with the childminder. The childminder prepares for their time with her by organising a good range of activities at floor level. Children delight as they choose from a wide range of toys and resources from the play area such as the cars and garage, trains and dolls and pram. The childminder sits at children's level as they play, interacting with them, communicating and using Makaton and responding to children to promote early language development. The childminder communicates well with children, talking them through everything she is doing and encouraging their responses.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder's great encouragement; they name the farm animals, talk about the train and its journey and look at the cars going up and down in the garage. 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 childminder also encourages colour and number recognition through children's play. The childminder gives children good demonstrations and explanations to support them as they play, enabling them to develop and learn. The childminder involves and encourages children as they play and has developed a good rapport with the children. These aspects contribute to children enjoying and achieving and making good progress whilst in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder is caring and considerate to children's needs and values and supports them closely. For example, she gives good encouragement and support to children as they play, helping them and promoting their development. Children's individual needs are extremely well met and the childminder uses Makaton supporting her in her work. Consequently, children feel settled in her care. There are a good range of resources promoting diversity, which help to promote and teach children about the diversity of our society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and benefit from reassurance and regular positive feedback which helps them to feel settled. The childminder maintains a calm and positive approach to managing behaviour. She makes excellent use of praise and interaction with children, encouraging eye contact and using positive signals such as clapping and thumbs up as well as regular praise. She presents as a positive role model to encourage children's good behaviour. As a result, children are learning about behaving well and this helps contribute to building their self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are effective systems to work with parents. A range of letters and cards with good feedback supports the positive partnership with parents that is maintained. The childminder keeps a written diary for parents detailing their children's care during time spent with her. She also works with parents closely with regards to any requests they may have for their children, and spends time feeding back to them on a daily basis. These aspects help ensure children's needs can be met and parents are able to receive a full range of information about their children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Strong outcomes for children are promoted and supported by an organised approach to childminding. The childminder works from an inviting and welcoming environment which is organised to meet children's needs. The childminder is committed to providing a good standard of care to all children and frequently updates her knowledge and understanding of child development by attending a wealth of regular courses. In addition the cache level three childminding certificate has been completed. A well organised and stored set of documentation is in place, with the exception of the complaints record. 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 in January 2005, the childminder was set two recommendations. Written permission for emergency treatment is now in place and fire safety precautions have been improved by practising a monthly emergency evacuation plan. Both aspects help to safeguard the children whilst in the childminder's care.

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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

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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. 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 the complaints record is in place

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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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