Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY347046 Unique Reference Number 29 July 2008 Inspection date Stephanie Graves 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 2007. She lives with her partner and two children aged nine and two in Longfield, Kent. The whole of the 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 three children at any one time and is currently minding three children under eight at different times throughout the week. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler group. The family has a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is promoted through effective hygiene procedures. For example, the childminder encourages regular hand washing and has a poster displayed to help prompt children to wash their hands thoroughly. She uses antibacterial spray on surfaces and ensures nappies are disposed of hygienically. These procedures help to prevent cross infection. Children benefit

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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 from the procedures in place that ensure they are taken care of if they are unwell or have an accident. They do not attend if they have an infectious illness and any accidents are recorded. Medication records are in place, although these do not contain all the required information. Written consent is in place for the childminder to seek medical advice or treatment, which means swift action can be taken in a medical emergency. Children's physical development is well promoted. They enjoy many opportunities to be active and can also sleep or rest in comfortable surroundings.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with regular drinks and the childminder encourages them to make healthy choices regarding the food they eat. She encourages them to try new foods and allows them to choose their preferred vegetables and fruit at meal times. For lunch children enjoy options, such as, cold meat and raw carrot and cucumber or a range of sandwiches. Main meals include children's favourites, such as, spaghetti bolognaise, salad or roast dinner with vegetables. Snacks are provided and although some treats are allowed, children also enjoy eating fruit, including bananas or pears. Children learn about food that is good for them and are heard to comment that is it important to eat vegetables because 'they make you strong and healthy.' Children's individual dietary requirements are respected because the childminder and parents work together to ensure their needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play and learn within a safe childminding environment. This is because the childminder makes sure the premises are secure and supervises them closely wherever they play. This helps to ensure their safety at all times and means they can play within safe boundaries. The childminder uses a risk assessment to identify and reduce possible risks to children's safety. As a result, a range of safety measures are in place, along with a comprehensive set of written parental consents. Toys and resources are checked regularly to ensure they are safe and appropriate for the children attending. The childminder practises the emergency evacuation procedure with the children and discusses fire safety in detail to develop their awareness. Children learn how to help keep themselves safe in other ways, including learning to sit properly when eating, staying safe on outings and knowing that only one child at a time is allowed on

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the trampoline. This helps children to develop a good awareness of personal safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted effectively, because the childminder has a current understanding of the procedures required to safeguard them at all times. She understands the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows the procedures to follow in the event of a concern. The childminder has a range of safeguarding practices in place and the information she keeps includes important contact numbers to seek advice if needed. This helps to ensure that children's welfare remains a priority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled within the childminder's home and play well with her children. They can access a good range of toys and resources, which are freely accessible and offer choice and variety. These include interactive toys that encourage young children to explore using the senses, mark making equipment, books, mathematical resources, games and small world resources. A good range of outdoor experiences are also available, including opportunities to play on large apparatus and going on regular outings. This enables children to develop their

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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 physical skills. The childminder interacts well with the children as they play and as they discuss activities that they take part in during the school holidays. The childminder listens with interest and makes suggestions. She keeps observational photographs and diary notes tracking their progress. Children enjoy talking about their favourite activities and interests, which currently include a trip to the Science museum in London. They talk about it being hot weather, going on the train and exploring giant bubbles, computer activities and a dance room. These additional experiences help to greatly extend children's learning opportunities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play meaningfully and use their imaginations. For example, very young children can be heard laughing with delight as older children encourage them to look through crystal shapes and the effects they create. This also promotes their early communication skills as they interact together. They use a range of mark making resources to devise their own creations and talk about what they are doing as they play. Overall the childminder plans and provides a good range of experiences that promote children's social, emotional, intellectual and physical abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for as individuals by the childminder, who acknowledges them equally. As a result they demonstrate a sense of belonging and make themselves at home. They are settled and self assured because the childminder promotes their individual needs and ensures they are content in their play pursuits. Toys and resources promoting positive images of diversity are limited, although children have regular opportunities to learn about the wider world. For example, the childminder takes them to local toddler groups and outings and also on trips further away, for example to London. This helps them develop an understanding of the differences between people in society. Children learn the expected behaviour boundaries, because the childminder uses effective behaviour management techniques. For example, she deals with unwanted behaviour in younger children by calmly and consistently redirecting their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

play. Older children can also be heard asking the younger ones to share nicely at snack time. This means they are developing a good understanding between right and wrong. The childminder supports and encourages children as they play, which helps to promote their confidence and self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from consistency of care, because the childminder and parents work together to meet their needs. The childminder keeps clearly written diaries for parents regarding their children's progress. Parents feel the childminder provides very good care for their children and is adaptable to their changing needs. Although the childminder has not kept a full record of complaints, any necessary documentation from Ofsted has been retained. The childminder takes positive steps towards ensuring that parents are fully informed about all relevant policies and procedures, including an up-to-date written complaints procedure. A two-way flow of information helps to support children equally between the home and childminding environments.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for within a generally well organised environment. They are settled and enjoy being with the childminder and her children. Although some improvement is required concerning the medication and complaints procedures, all other necessary documents and records are in place. These include daily attendance records, which show clear arrival and departure times for children. The childminder displays her registration certificate clearly and a range of written

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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 information is available to parents. Improvement is necessary in relation to the current provision of toys and resources promoting positive images of diversity. However, children's welfare, care and learning are promoted individually through the experiences provided and the procedures in place that help to keep them safe and well cared for. The childminder is committed towards improving her practice to ensure she provides children with the best care possible. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration, Ofsted has received one complaint relating to National Standard 1- Suitable person, National Standard 6- Safety, National Standard 7- Health and National Standard 11- Behaviour. Ofsted visited the childminder and an inspector discussed the concerns with the childminder and observed her practice. As a result of the visit an action was set under National Standard 14, to ensure incidents are recorded appropriately. A satisfactory response to this action was received and the childminder remains qualified for registration.

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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 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 medication records contain all the required detail • keep a full record of complaints and make the record available to parents • assess the toys and resources available to ensure they include sufficient positive images of diversity.

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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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