Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY350049 Unique Reference Number 06 August 2008 Inspection date Freeda Wildon 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 childminds at her mother's house, who is also a registered childminder. She has a young child. They childmind in Ramsgate, Kent. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time when working on her own, and a maximum of 8 children when she is working with a co-childminder. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a clean and nurturing environment; the childminder is very attentive to children's needs, recognising signs of tiredness and the need for comfort. The environment is clean and children learn about good hygiene through the daily routines. They wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet; even babies wash their hands after nappy changing. This means that children are learning from an early age about the importance of

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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 good personal hygiene. The childminder is a very good role model; routinely setting good examples, such as hand washing before any food preparation and after wiping children's noses.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about a healthy lifestyle. The childminder provides healthy snacks for the children, which includes several of the children's 'five a day'. Posters show children information about healthy food, and activities reinforce the message of healthy eating. So children are learning to make healthy choices. They sometimes visit the allotment at the children's centre to find out about local grown foods. Drinks are offered regularly to ensure that children are kept hydrated. The childminder teaches young children who are not able to ask for a drink 'to sign' for one. During the hot weather the childminder monitors children's fluid intake to ensure they do not become dehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to an enclosed garden for fresh air and outdoor play. They regularly visit groups, play centres and parks where they have lots of opportunities to use large play equipment to develop their physical skills. Babies and young children enjoy the local 'Baby Bounce'. In the home they are gaining control of their bodies as they pull themselves up and cruise around the furniture.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminding environment is welcoming to children of all ages. Posters and children's photographs are displayed at the entrance to make children feel welcome. The childminder undertakes informal, daily sight checks to ensure that the premises are safe for children to play. The childminder ensures that the toys are safe for children and are checked at the end of the day. A record of regular fire drills is kept, with the names of children present, so that she can ensure that all children practise the evacuation procedure regularly. There are smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detector and a fire blanket to contribute to children's safety. Procedures are in place to keep children safe when they are away from the home. They are learning about road safety and about boundaries on outings; these are reinforced with activities about safety. The childminder has recently introduced identification bracelets for the children, should they become

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

separated from her. The childminder takes some personal information with her and parents' telephone numbers on her mobile phone. As yet she does not take permission for emergency medical treatment when she goes on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of child protection issues to protect children from harm. There is a safeguarding children policy available to parents, however, some of the information is not up to date. There are effective procedures for the safe arrival and collection of children. For example, the childminder has introduced a password system if a parent is not able to collect the child. This ensures the safe collection of children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and stimulating environment and, as a result, they are happy and settled. The childminder is nurturing and aware of children's needs. Children feel secure in the childminder's care because she encourages them to share their feelings. She provides a stimulating range of equipment. The childminder knows what children enjoy. For example, children are interested in animals so children visit the library selecting books with animals. She extends their learning by providing activities based on animals. They visit the pet shop and children make pictures and printing of animals.

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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 are learning to be independent; making choices in their play by self-selecting their own activities and feeding themselves. The childminder uses the Birth to three matters framework to provide suitable activities for younger children. Young children are developing self-awareness and the childminder encourages this by using cut out pieces from children's photographs to help them identify their body parts. For example, eyes, mouth and noses. The childminder has a sound knowledge of child development. She assesses children and is aware of children's next steps but has not formalised this system. She has identified this as part of her future development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder knows the children well, and so can meet their individual needs. Children are valued and respected by the childminder; she teaches children to respect others. Children gain increasing self-assurance through strong relationships with the childminder. She is calm and polite; she teaches children about sharing and turn taking, what is right and wrong, being kind. She does this through stories and discussions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from lots of praise and encouragement and some ground rules. Positive strategies are in place to manage children's behaviour, which take children's ages and stages of development into consideration. Children feel welcome and important because their photographs are displayed on their towel and coat pegs. They are able to bring comforters and a settling-in policy helps them separate from parents. Children are developing good relationships with other. They meet away from the setting as friends, for example, at swimming lessons. Children have many opportunities to find out about the local community, and celebrate other festivals around the world. A good range of resources help children learn about the wider world. The childminder has experience working with children with disabilities and understands the importance of working in partnership with parents and other agencies.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good partnerships with parents are being established between childminder and parents. The childminder speaks to the parents each day and provides parents with daily contact books. She sends photographs of the children to the parents by electronic mail, so both parents and children can enjoy looking at the photographs. She recognises the importance of good partnership between parents and childminder. In her self-improvement she states that she will design a parents' feedback form to make improvements as well as being evidence for parental satisfaction. Contracts detail business arrangements between childminder and parents to ensure that the childminder is providing the care required. Although the childminder knows about changes in complaints regulation she has not updated her policy to include time scales.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of all the children for whom she provides care.

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Organisation

The childminder feels it is important to develop and improve her childminding service; she has identified areas for improvement. This shows she is committed to providing very good quality childcare and has a clear and realistic understanding of what she does well and areas for improvement. The childminding service is underpinned by a comprehensive pack of carefully thought through and informative policies and procedures, which effectively guide her practice.

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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 The home is well organised to meet the needs of children under eight years. Children are safe and secure in a warm caring environment. The childminder plans her day according to the individual children she cares for. The daily routine is balanced to include times for outings, rest, play and for meals.

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Organisation

All adults living on the premises have undergone checks to establish their suitability. The registration certificate is displayed for parents to see the conditions of her registration. All the required documentation for the safe and effective management of the setting and to promote the welfare and care of children is maintained to a good standard, stored securely and confidentially.

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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): • develop knowledge and understanding of the complaints procedure and share this with parents

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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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