Hardmoor Nursery & Early Years Centre - Part of the Learning Federation Partnership of Schools

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 115831 Inspection date 01 November 2005 Inspector Sarah Morfett

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1994. She lives with her partner and one teenage child in Sidcup, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s 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 and is currently minding six children part time. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good range of activities which help to promote their health and well being. Each day the children walk to and from school with the childminder and go on frequent trips to the local parks where they develop good physical skills. This helps to keep them healthy and gives them an understanding of keeping fit. Children learn about personal hygiene as they have their own toothbrush and they know that they clean their teeth after eating. Their understanding of being healthy is developed as they wash their hands after playing in the garden and before and after food. Children begin to understand how to look after their own bodies. Children are kept safe from risk of infection as the effective sickness policy in place is shared with parents. Younger children are able to develop a sense of being healthy as the childminder and older children lead by positive example, when washing hands and cleaning

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Helping children to be healthy

teeth. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet as the childminder involves them in their food choices, they can choose from a good selection of healthy snacks and they are provided with nutritious lunches. All children's dietary requirements are recorded and their likes and dislikes are taken into consideration. Children enjoy sociable eating times as they sit at the table and chat together happily. Drinks are readily available and children can help themselves when they need to.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in an extremely welcoming and child friendly environment. All risks have been identified and minimised. This enables the children to move around safely, freely and independently. Children make independent choices from a wide range of stimulating activities which are challenging and displayed invitingly at their level so can be easily accessed. Children are engrossed and their enthusiasm is maintained to high levels as they play with confidence in the safe and secure surroundings. Children learn about their own safety when on outings as the childminder consistently reinforces road safety with them. The children demonstrate their knowledge of using pedestrian crossings by saying that red means stop and green means go. Children are encouraged to take an active role in the upkeep of their toys and equipment, by helping the childminder to tidy away, this ensures that

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children have respect for the things they play with. The childminder has clear and concise procedures and documentation in place to ensure that the children's welfare is safeguarded, for example the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. Children are helped to keep safe from risk of harm and neglect as the childminder is confident that she has a very good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse, and would challenge any suspicions she had. Younger children are well supported, with the childminders help they learn about

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 rules, such as plug sockets at their level being made inaccessible therefore, children learn not to touch.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very well settled at the childminders house they appear relaxed, confident and make themselves at home quickly. Toys and resources are readily available and children show great confidence in choosing from a stimulating range of experiences which promotes all the areas of development, such as role play and dressing up. Children enjoy and learn from a good variety of activities; for example, the children take a box of musical instruments out into the garden and have lots of fun making music, the younger child is encouraged to join in too, they all parade around the garden, learning about sound and rhythm. The children benefit from lots of creative activities, making Halloween pictures and fireworks gives them an understanding of seasonal events and the work is displayed making them feel proud of their achievements. All children play purposefully, activities are adapted so all the minded children can

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

participate. The childminder keeps records of daily activities and children's achievements in her diary which she shares with parents. Children show signs of very good self esteem and confidence in the childminders care. Younger children benefit from a close relationship with the childminder; she listens and responds to gestures and non-verbal communication helping children to become skilful communicators.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are provided with a meaningful range of activities and resources which promote a positive view of the world around them. Resources such as, dressing up, puzzles and picture books help to increase children's awareness of diversity. Through play and discussion with the childminder knowledge about different cultures is further extended. Activities offered to children are age appropriate and non-discriminatory, for example all children play with toys for both genders. Children are treated with respect and made to feel good about themselves, as the childminder takes time to listen to them which makes them feel important. Children are valued as individuals. Their needs are met as their normal daily routine is shared verbally each day with parents. The childminder also sends video clips of the children's milestones from her mobile phone to the parents, this means that they feel included in their child's development. Children behave well with the childminder,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

her attitude towards behaviour management means that children are given good, clear boundaries in which to develop and grow. Younger children are supported very well by the childminder; this ensures that children develop a strong sense of belonging which allows them to explore the world from a secure base. The childminder has a positive attitude towards including children with special needs.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease within the well organised environment. Children are confident and self assured; this means that they are able to initiate and extend their learning and play. Well thought out planning contributes to valuable experiences for children. Children make good progress in all areas of development. Policies and procedures developed by the childminder are used effectively and promote children's welfare, care and learning. These are shared with parents to ensure they are well informed of the care their children receive. All documentation is maintained to a good standard. The childminder has not informed Ofsted of recent building works on her premises. However, she understands that this is part of the regulations and will ensure that she informs Ofsted of any future significant changes. The childminder has a positive attitude to keeping her knowledge of children's

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Organisation

development up to date. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that all her records and documentation was readily available for inspection and to keep records of accidents and medication administered. The childminder has organised her paperwork well, it is readily available to inspect and records of accidents and medication administered are now being kept. Parents are well informed of the care their children receive. The childminder was asked to complete the appropriate paperwork for her partner to ensure a CRB disclosure was obtained for him, this has now been completed and there is a clear CRB disclosure in place. This ensures that the children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that Ofsted are informed of any significant changes.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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