Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY348185 Unique Reference Number 30 April 2008 Inspection date Claire Jean Douglas 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 has been registered since 2007. She lives with her husband and their two children, aged seven and four years, in a four bedroom house within Petts Wood, Kent. The home is close to the town centre, transport links and local schools. Children have access to the ground and first floor with the main areas used being the lounge and dining room. Toilet facilities are available on the ground and first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have one pet dog and gold fish within a securely covered water feature in the garden. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. There are currently three children on roll. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children's health is well protected because the childminder has effective systems in place to keep records of any accidents children have and any medicine they need to be administered. The childminder uses effective hygiene practices, which help to protect children from illness

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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 and the risks of cross infection. For example, the childminder encourages the children to wash their hands regularly and she keeps the home environment clean and tidy. Children benefit from a good balance of healthy food, exercise and regular drinks. All children enjoy physical outdoor activities. They have regular access to a safe and secure, well presented garden, that encourages their interest and positively contributes to their good health, encouraging them to develop a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm caring environment with facilities to meet their needs. Their risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder takes steps to identify and reduce potential hazards. For instance, she makes sure children cannot access the stairs or any exposed electrical sockets. Children play with toys that are clean, in good condition and suitable for their age. This helps ensure they can play safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is generally well safeguarded because the childminder is familiar with possible signs of child abuse or neglect, and is aware of her responsibility to report any concerns. The childminder keeps the required documentation and a list of appropriate local contact numbers to hand. This means relevant information would be readily accessible to enable the childminder to act quickly if required.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are comfortable, happy and at ease within the childminder's home. They are lovingly cared for by a childminder who is fully attentive to each child's needs and responds to them warmly. Children take part in a range of activities that are suitable for their age; they can independently choose from a variety of toys that are available to them, for example, enjoying puzzles together, or pushing the cars around the mat. The childminder varies toys regularly so children remain occupied, and they have opportunities to take part in some planned activities, such as painting or making models.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder talks about how children are encouraged to share and take turns in their play. She demonstrates a good awareness of child development and the needs of different age groups. Children are helped to become competent communicators as the childminder uses supportive and enthusiastic interaction to enable children to develop confidence and make progress in their social learning. Young children have their needs met because the childminder has an understanding of the way they develop and is beginning to use the Birth to three matters framework to inform her practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed into the setting and valued as individuals. The childminder's consistent approach to rules and boundaries helps children behave well. They are beginning to develop a positive view of the wider community when they use resources, such as books, which reflect images of diversity, and when the childminder encourages the children to be kind to other people. Children benefit from positive relationships between the childminder and their parents. They talk to each other every day to exchange information and the childminder sends home a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 contact book, which helps children experience consistent care. The childminder is aware that some children may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LDD) and is proactive in ensuring that all children's needs are met appropriately in partnership with the parents and other relevant parties.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Indoor and outdoor space is well organised and laid out to maximise play and learning opportunities for children. The childminder is committed to her work and enjoys children's company. The childminder records and shares children's progress with parents on a regular basis to ensure she effectively meets all the children's needs. The childminder keeps written policies and procedures and documentation which guide her daily practice and ensures she has relevant consents from parents, however, signed parental consents for seeking medical advice or treatment in an emergency are not yet in place, which means parental wishes are unclear. The childminder is aware of the revisions to Day care and childminding: guidance to the National Standards, however, further knowledge of the regulations relating to complaints procedures is required, to enable appropriate action to be taken should the childminder receive a complaint.

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Organisation

The childminder dedicates her time and attention fully to the children when they are present. 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 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 written permission from parents is obtained for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • update Complaints procedure information to include a Complaints log.

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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 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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