Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY363590 Unique Reference Number 09 June 2008 Inspection date Mary Van De Peer 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 works alongside her mother, who is also a registered childminder, in Ashford, Kent. The whole ground floor area of the house is used for minding children. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children. She is able to support children with learning difficulties or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She also attends the local toddler groups. The family has a pet dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and she also receives support from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has established good personal care routines for the children, which are regularly reviewed to ensure they are addressing the individual capabilities and needs of each child. There is a clear sickness policy which is made available to parents, helping minimise the risk of cross infection. If children require medication, written permission is obtained from parents and

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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 any medicines administered are carefully recorded. The childminder has a current, recognised first aid certificate and has a well stocked first aid kit. This means that children can be treated effectively if they sustain any minor injuries. Children have daily access to outdoor play; the garden has a good range of equipment for children to further develop their large muscle skills, for example, in climbing and balancing. Local parks are also visited. Children get a good amount of fresh air and exercise. There are various activities which help promote hand and eye coordination skills, such as puzzle assembly, mark-making and creative opportunities using different art and craft materials. When they feel tired, the children can rest or sleep safely, using a travel cot or child size beds, depending on their age and preference. The childminder

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Helping children to be healthy

has a healthy eating policy which aims to provide children with nutritious snacks and meals. Examples of foods offered for children to eat include fruit, pasta and vegetables. Children are learning about eating and living healthily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder risk assesses all areas and equipment, both indoors and outdoors, that children use and play in. Hazards are quickly identified and minimised, such as the hot water temperature and protection from the sun. This means children can rely on consistently safe environments in which they can play freely. Children can choose what they want to do from a wide range of interesting and challenging toys and resources. All the downstairs area is used by the children, so they can find their own space if they need to. The garden area is on one level and is securely fenced with a bolted gate for emergency accessibility. Outings to the park, leisure centre or beach are regular occurrences. Children are able to enjoy outdoor games and activities in the fresh air and with their peers. The childminder's car is a multi-person vehicle with all the required child seats and features fitted, enabling children to travel safely. The childminder has an

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

evacuation procedure, which is practised every few weeks; helping children learn how to keep themselves safe in an emergency. A register recording children's arrival and departure times is kept; a visitor's book is also in place. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection and a clear, written procedure is in place. Children's welfare is protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. All the toys and resources are stored at child height and children are able to choose what to do and play with right through the day. The amount of available space and the opportunities for free-play means the children can spread themselves around and the activities can be extended to make them more interesting. Creative play materials available, such as painting, sticking and art and craft, can be done at the tables or on the ground. Treasure baskets containing natural objects as well as modern articles, help children learn more about their environment. Mark-making resources and a range of books, some of which are chosen from the library by the children, help them develop their communication and listening skills. There are programmable toys and electronic games consoles which enable children to learn about information and technology, whilst also further developing hand to eye coordination. Outings can include local

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

parks as well as a visit to the beach several miles away. The children are encouraged to extend these by bringing back mementoes and objects from their days out. Photographs serve as happy reminders of the different places children have been to. The childminder interacts well with the children. All children are able to develop and progress in accordance with their individual needs and capabilities.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has relevant and required details on all the children. Regular newsletters and a notice board helps ensure parents know they need to report any new information on their children. This enables the childminder to provide quality and informed care for all the children. There are toys and resources reflecting different cultures. These help children learn about other people's lives. Although the childminder has limited experience of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities, she is happy to be involved in their care and provide support for them and their families. There is a written behaviour management policy which she has discussed with parents. The strategies the childminder has in place include praise and distraction; she links this into children's ages, development stage as well as their individual needs. Parents receive very good detail about the childminder's service. The in-depth written policies and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

procedures provide parents with essential information. Weekly observation sheets are given to parents, covering topics and the main activities children have participated in. Feedback on children's progress and development is provided verbally. A contract with parents and signed consent forms for various situations, such as outings and photographs, are in place. A complaints procedure helps ensure parents will be kept informed about any concerns the childminder receives. The children receive continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a thorough knowledge and good understanding of her role and responsibilities. Her Ofsted registration certificate is displayed for parents and visitors, along with her public liability insurance and first aid certificates. All persons living in the household have been appropriately vetted. The childminder has not been able to access Birth to three training and this is an area she wants to develop further. She has a positive attitude towards her personal development. The required paperwork and record keeping is in place and readily available for inspection. Written observations and information on each child's development and progress is made available for parents, on a weekly basis. The childminder pays good attention to confidentiality. Emergency childcare cover has been organised and agreed with parents. These good practices help promote the welfare and protection of the children. The

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Organisation

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. 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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Complaints 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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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): • continue to build on current knowledge and understanding of the development of children under three years old

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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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