Adventure Care Ltd

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 136705 Inspection date 24 November 2005 Inspector Claire, Alexandra Parnell

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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 has been registered since 1998. She lives with her partner and their three children, two of school age and one under five years. They live in a house situated in the area of Farnborough near Bromley. Nearby are local schools, shops, parks, a bus route and a railway station. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. The garden is not used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children under the age of eight. At present she cares for one child under five years on a part time basis.

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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 The childminder regularly attends training through the Early Years department of the London Borough of Bromley.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children receive excellent support and encouragement to learn about the importance of personal hygiene. They wash hands after toileting, after messy play and outdoor play and before eating. Children benefit from good levels of explanation about dental hygiene and are encouraged to clean their teeth correctly. Sick children are well cared for. The childminder follows clear procedures to ensure each child's health needs are effectively met. Children's accidents are recorded accurately and parents are informed on their collection, therefore injuries can be properly monitored. Administration of medication is appropriately documented and shared with parents to ensure that correct dosages are given at the necessary time, therefore limiting the possibilities of a child overdosing. However, parents are asked to give permission for the childminder to administer Calpol in emergencies, but there is limited information about what

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Helping children to be healthy

circumstances this will be administered to their child. Children have access to a good range of healthy meals, drinks and snacks. They are encouraged to make their own decisions as to what to eat and are introduced to new tastes, to entice their interest in healthy foods. Children's individual dietary needs are promoted well. The childminder regularly updates information about children's dietary restrictions and caters for their needs carefully and positively. Children regular take part in dancing and games such as "Simon says" when playing indoors, to encourage their gross motor skills. As the children cannot use the garden, they make regular visits to the park where they use challenging equipment. Walks to and from the school and nursery, encourage children's interest in a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to a good range of space that is regularly checked and assesed for potential hazards. Therefore children can play safely in the area of the house of their choice. The childminder ensures that children cannot leave the premises unsupervised due to rigorous security measures. Children's understanding of safety is assessed and action is taken to ensure that their safety is paramount whilst in the childminder's care, such as placing stair gates at the bottom of the stairs and using appropriate car seats when travelling in the car. Children can safely access a good range of activities and resources that are appropriate to their age and stage of development, therefore increasing their independence and decision making but with safe and appropriate equipment.

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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 Children can be evacuated safely from the premises, in the event of the fire due to the use of very effective fire safety procedures. Children learn about the importance of road safety and the hazards they may encounter, through clear explanations and demonstrations when the childminder is out with the children. The children also belong to the "traffic club" which helps them to develop a sense of road dangers and how to keep themselves safe. The childminder has a clear knowledge of child protection procedures, who to contact for support and what to record. Children are never left with un-vetted persons, as the childminder has procedures in place to leave the children with another registered childminder in the case of emergencies. Therefore children's welfare is promoted and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are busy, occupied, content and independent in their play. They confidently choose further activities to play with and communicate their needs to the childminder by the use of gestures, expressions and speech. The children's play is enhanced by the childminder's positive interaction, effective use of questioning and the encouragement for children to explore resources further, such as dough and the appropriate equipment. This results in an extension to children's sensory experiences. The childminder is aware of the developmental needs and stages of all ages, but does not use a framework such as Birth to Three Matters, to enhance the opportunities given to children or record and monitor their development to enable her to plan for children's future progress. Children are actively encouraged to try new play situations. The childminder uses persuasion and demonstration to engage the child's interest in new experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn to lead the play and involve others, be it adults or other children, in their play, therefore building their skills in social interaction. Children show great fascination in discovering new skills and exploring new materials. They smile broadly at new achievements that are shared with other children and recognised by the childminder, resulting in the child's confidence to "have a go" and explore other materials with the same fascination.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs and background are respected and reflected in a positive attitude towards celebrating children's differences. Children learn about and value these differences, openly discussing their differences without making an issue of them. The childminder uses recorded information about the children to ensure their needs are met through the daily routine of care.

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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 The childminder has previous experience of caring for children with special needs. She evaluates their needs to ensure that she can offer the appropriate care. Therefore she attends specialist training for that particular need and liaises with parents and other professionals to ensure the child is given the best care possible to meet their individual needs. Children receive praise and encouragement for acceptable behaviour, resulting in their developing self esteem and positive recognition. Children's unacceptable behaviour is dealt with effectively through clear explanations, discussion, time out to consider the effects behaviour has on others and to reflect on the appropriate ways to behave. This results in children having clear boundaries and learning about right and wrong. A greater emphasis is made on children's positive relationships with each

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Helping children make a positive contribution

other, therefore encouraging social interaction and acceptable behaviour. Parents receive excellent written information about the service that the childminder provides, including statements, policies and procedures. This enhances the parent's understanding of the type of care the children receive and reassures them as to the quality of care provided. Parents have clear explanations about how to make concerns known to Ofsted and what procedures to follow. Children's information is regularly updated by the parents to ensure that the children are being cared for according to their needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children quickly settle into a warm, inviting and organised environment, resulting in confident, happy children who play happily in a relaxed and familiar setting. The childminder is eager to continue her training and development in childcare subjects, to enhance the quality of care that is already offered to the children. The children are cared for by a childminder who has relevant checks and has completed the appropriate training to ensure her registration continues. All documentation is up to date, accurately recorded and kept secure and confidential, therefore protecting children's welfare. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was given one recommendation to improve her child care practice. The childminder now has a fully comprehensive folder for parents, to inform them of policies and procedures that enhance the quality of care that she offers to the children. The policies and procedures cover all relevant national standards. She has received support through the local authority Early Years Department to complete this file of information.

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Improvements 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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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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • establish an informal system to record and monitor children's development, taking into consideration a framework for children under the age of three • extend initial permission from parents to administer Calpol with a clear explanation of when this would be carried out

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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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