Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY350192 Unique Reference Number 04 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 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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged under five years in Sittingbourne, Kent. The whole of the ground floor and an upstairs toilet in the childminders home are used for childminding. There is a large, fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently looking after three children all aged under five years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She occasionally attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a cat and a fish. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Their clear understanding of why they must wash their hands before eating or handling food and after using the toilet reduces the risk of cross contamination. They also learn to wipe their own noses and put their hand over their mouth when coughing. The childminder

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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 has well maintained records on accidents and medication and has a sick child policy which parents adhere to. Children's health is promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good attitude towards healthy eating and works hard to provide nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to children and meet their individual dietary needs. Children are involved in all food areas, from purchasing it from local farm shops, to it's preparation. They practise food hygiene when preparing food. The childminder displays sample menus for parents in her hallway and there are plenty of large colourful posters showing different food groups on the walls in the kitchen. The childminder has plans for children to grow their own food. Children learn about healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities which help them stay healthy. As the childminder does not use a car the children enjoy walking around the area to visit clubs and the local library. They also use buses and trains to visit the beach and other places of interest. They have a huge garden to play in, where they use the sand tray or the plentiful range of outdoor equipment available to them. Children enjoy their physical play.

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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 spacious home where risks are identified and minimised. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder is currently updating her risk assessment for the premises. The childminder's concise procedures for outings with children also help to keep them safe. For example, the childminder has talked to children about asking for help and where to stand in the local supermarket if they get separated from her. They also practise road safety at each road they cross. Finally, children practise the childminder's emergency evacuation procedures each month. However, these are not recorded or evaluated. Overall, children have the opportunity to keep themselves safe in a variety of situations.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's well thought out child protection procedures are shared with parents to ensure they have a good understanding of the childminder's role in protecting children. She tells them about her existing injuries book in which she records any accidents the children may have had at home or school. The childminder also has good procedures for the safe collection of children, using passwords and meeting family members to ensure the appropriate persons collect children. Children’s wellbeing is promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at the childminder's home. They achieve well because the childminder is caring, professional and has a very good understanding of how young children develop. They learn about shape, texture and colour though the wide range of craft activities provided, including making their own play dough. Children also experience a sense of their local community through participating in outings to the local farm shop or playing with other children at different clubs. The childminder has some photographic records of children enjoying activities, in particular making a large wall picture with paints and printing objects. Parents are advised of the range of activities the children may be involved in and how each activity provides a learning opportunity.

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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 Children play very well together. They readily take turns and happily talk about what they are doing. For example, during the construction of a large floor puzzle the two older children talked about the characters on it and what they were doing. The eldest child proclaimed that she was an expert at doing puzzles and that the younger child would soon be able to do the puzzle on her own. Children learn from each other and enjoy their play. Children have access to a wide range of good quality toys and activities which cover all the areas of their development. Children progress well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children use a range of suitable toys which show positive images of race, culture, disability or gender. They benefit from the childminder's positive attitude about equal opportunities, thus ensuring that they learn about each other's differences and needs. Each child has a care plan which is drawn up with the help of the parents. For example, children's individual hair and skin care regimes are included. Children's individual needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are very well behaved, polite and considerate to each other. The behaviour management procedures are used to good effect as the children discuss their behaviour with the childminder. They are rewarded for good behaviour by lots of praise and encouragement. Distraction is used frequently with younger children. Children develop confidence and self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides plenty of information for parents about her service. In recently written references, parents state that they feel the childminder supports them as well as their children. One parent in particular writes 'the childminder is firm but fair, sets clear rules and boundaries, and keeps me informed of my child's development through the excellent use of the contact book'. Children benefit from continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has completed an Introducing Childcare Practice course and holds a current paediatric first aid course. She holds the Nursery Nurse Examination Board childcare qualification. Her registration document is displayed. All adults in the household have been vetted and are suitable to be with the children.

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Organisation

The childminder has acceptable levels of paperwork completed on each child. Her attendance register is marked daily and all relevant paperwork is shared with parents. The childminder has completed a service contract with parents which is regularly reviewed. Children's records are confidential, regularly reviewed with their parents and stored appropriately. The childminder has a complaints procedure and log. There are no entries. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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 registration 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 fire drills are recorded and evaluated.

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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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