Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY367078 Unique Reference Number 03 July 2008 Inspection date Beryl Witheridge Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2008. She lives with her husband and two pre-school aged children in High Halstow, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family have some fish and guinea pigs.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to be healthy. They take part in a lot of outdoor activities which helps with their physical development. They play in the garden with a good range of toys and

p.2

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 equipment which are suited to their age and stage of development. Children learn about good health issues. They know they need to wash their hands before they eat food, after playing with the pets and after going to the toilet. The childminder provides them with anti-bacterial hand-wash and paper towels to dry their hands. All surfaces are cleaned with anti-bacterial wipes to ensure they are clean and hygienic and separate cleaners are used for the bathroom. Children with infectious conditions do not attend. Procedures are in place to provide the children with suitable care if they are taken ill while with the childminder. These procedures all help to prevent cross infection. Children's health needs are promoted because the childminder keeps the relevant accident and medication records.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to eat healthy foods and know that drinks of water, milk, fruit juice or squash are readily available. The childminder is aware of any individual dietary requirements of each child. She does provide some healthy treats and snacks and fruit and yoghurts are always available. This is done in agreement with parents. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's dietary needs are met.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe, comfortable and child friendly environment. They benefit from being able to play and learn within safe boundaries. The childminder ensures external doors are locked to prevent children leaving the home unaccompanied and there is a large secure outdoor area for them to play. Children are supervised at all times and they have plenty of room to move about freely and enjoy their games and activities. Toys and equipment are checked on a regular basis and appear safe and appropriate for the children attending. There is a written risk assessment in place to ensure equipment is safe and clean. Smoke detectors and a fire blanket are in place to help ensure that the home is safe for the children. These are checked regularly to ensure they are well-maintained. Children are beginning to understand the importance of keeping themselves safe. The childminder explains why certain procedures are

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

necessary such as walking properly by the road to help avoid accidents and crossing the road safely.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is paramount. The childminder a good understanding of child protection issues and has a written policy but this requires updating to take account of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The childminder has emergency evacuation procedures in place which are discussed but have not been practised regularly with all the children. A record of fire drills is kept.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children arrive eagerly and confidently at the childminder's home. They enjoy their time together playing and having fun. Children have the choice of a wide range of activities which are all freely accessible. Toys and resources include musical instruments, puzzles, books, shape sorters, construction, play house, cars, imaginative play, dressing up clothes, dolls and pushchairs, and art and craft activities. The children take turns happily and share extremely well. They enjoy feeding the pets and even talk about sharing when one guinea pig eats the food put in for another one. They listen eagerly to stories from books they have chosen, sitting together in the shade of a large tree in the garden, joining in on their favourite parts. Outdoor experiences are promoted with a range of resources available, including slide, bikes, balls, trampolines and

p.3

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 space hoppers. Children are friendly and sociable and enjoy the company of the childminder; they like to be acknowledged for their achievements and are very good at using their imaginations in their play, which the childminder joins in with. The childminder understands the developmental needs of children of all ages and has started to plan her activities in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. This includes observations and evaluation of activities. She always aims to ensure that the children have plenty of experiences available to extend their learning and to provide them with opportunities to play, learn and grow in suitable, stimulating surroundings.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder welcomes all children and their parents into her home and treats all children with equal concern, respecting the wishes of the parent and their child and valuing the child for who they are. Their individual needs are discussed with their parents and the childminder aims to address these and ensures that all children are included in all experiences. Children demonstrate a sense of belonging as they make themselves at home, choose their activities and interact very well with the childminder and her children. Toys and resources promote some positive images of diversity of society but the childminder is aware that these could be extended. The childminder has some experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities but would always take into account the needs of all children when offering care. She also has learnt to use 'sign along'.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are always polite and well behaved. They know what the behavioural boundaries are these are discussed with them. The childminder is a good role model; she encourages good manners and praises children regularly, which helps to promote their confidence and self esteem. Children's welfare is promoted through the childminder's positive approach to their needs and their behaviour. Children benefit from consistency of care; the childminder works closely with parents at all times and has a professional but friendly relationship with them. The children's development is assessed and recorded using the EYFS framework. Parents are talked to on a daily basis and the parents spoken to, at the inspection, are happy to leave their children in the safe hands of the childminder and are pleased with the care given. The childminder takes positive steps to ensure that parents are kept well informed about all relevant policies and

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

procedures. These are regularly updated, informative and shared with all parents.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are settled and feel very at home within a welcoming, well organised environment. They are relaxed and at ease with the childminder who provides good quality care. The childminder has a very proactive attitude towards her role as a childminder and is always looking at ways of improving her practice and providing the children with more exciting and interesting opportunities. She is currently undertaking the accreditation with the National Childminding Association. She is also very good at assessing her provision and noting areas she wishes to improve.

p.4

Organisation

The required documentation and records are in place, including daily attendance records, which show clear arrival and departure times for children and are completed daily. The registration certificate is clearly displayed and the records are all stored confidentially. All records are readily available for inspection. Children's welfare, care and learning are well promoted, due to the

p.4

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 range of clear, concise and well written policies and procedures which are constantly implemented by the childminder. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

This is the first inspection since registration. There were no recommendations to carry forward.

p.5

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.

p.5

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 complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 the emergency evacuations are carried out often enough to include all children, so they know how to protect themselves in an emergency • extend knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children procedures and review the policy in line with this • extend the resources which provide the positive images of the diversity of society

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5