Childminder in Kent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY224794 Inspection date 02 December 2005 Inspector Susan Linda Capon

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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 satisfactory. 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and eleven years in a house situated in the Sevenoaks area of Kent. Her sister is a registered childminder who also worked from this house and her two children aged nine and thirteen years are on the premises out of school hours. The ground floor and family bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play. The family have two tropical fish tanks and two caged cockatiels.

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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 is registered to care for five children when working alone and ten children when working with her sister. She currently minds one full time child and seven part-time children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She occasionally uses the local parks and takes the children to feed the ducks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children enjoy a range of physical activities on a regular basis which contributes to their good health. They have opportunities to play in the garden using a good range of equipment including climbing apparatus and riding toys. Children develop their climbing, sliding and jumping skills through this equipment. They also enjoy musical activities indoors and occasional trips to the local park to feed the ducks. The children develop their self esteem and confidence through playing together, copying and learning from one another. All the children are developing their understanding of how their body works and know when they need to take a rest, drink or use the toilet. Older children use good hygiene practices at all times and wash their hands before meals and after using the bathroom. Younger children are developing their understanding of keeping healthy and are aware they wash their hands "to make

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Helping children to be healthy

them clean". All the children play in a generally clean and safe environment as the childminder follows good hygiene practices herself and is a good role model to the children. She ensures all her working surfaces are clear and suitably cleaned prior to food preparation or cooking activities. The childminder uses disposable gloves for nappy changing and cleans the changing mat between each nappy change. Children receive suitable first aid treatment when they have an accident and the childminder provides a detailed record for the parents. The first aid kit requires replenishing with sterile bandages. All medication administered has written consent from the parents and detailed records are maintained. Children are unable to access the individually labelled medication. The children are free from infection through good sickness procedures followed by the childminder. All the children enjoy healthy, nutritious home made meals and snacks. They eat

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Helping children to be healthy

minimal processed foods. The childminder stores food provided by the parent safely and re-heats the food to a suitable temperature. All the children have access to regular drinks throughout the day including milk, water and sugar free juice. Young children are developing their understanding of healthy eating through discussion with the childminder and are aware fresh fruit and vegetables are good for them. The children eat well and are developing their social skills as they sit together at the table to eat their meals. Older children are encouraged to help lay the table before meals. The childminder considers individual dietary needs and likes and dislikes when she plans her menus. All the children eat suitable food which meet their individual needs and take into account their parents wishes.

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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

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children play in a warm, welcoming generally clean and well organised home. They have ample space to move around feely and play solitary or together. The children explore their environment safely as the childminder has made most areas of her home and garden safe and secure. Children have access to dangerous cleaning materials in the kitchen. All the children are developing their understanding of how to keep themselves safe both in and out of doors. Older children know the basic house rules and follow the Green Cross Code when they are out walking with the childminder. They play with games and equipment using very small pieces, when babies and very small children are nor present or taking their nap. Young children use a low level area of the garden and older children access the upper level safely with netting available to prevent them falling down the steep bank. The children are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

aware of the emergency evacuation procedures. They all freely access a good range of suitable, well organised resources. Young children use suitable equipment to meet their individual needs, for example, a travel cot, high chair and step for the toilet. All the home furnishing, toys and equipment the children use are clean, in good order, suitable and safe for their needs. All the children are safe and secure through the childminder's sound knowledge of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are fully stimulated through the provision of a good range of toys and equipment readily accessible to them. They eagerly make their own selection from the toys and equipment provided appropriately to meet the individual needs of all the children attending. They play imaginatively creating their own games and ideas, for example, one child played with the dolls and buggy and washed up in the play kitchen. The children are developing their learning through the range of activities provided and discussion with the childminder, for example, looking at the different numbers in an inset tray puzzle. Children are confident in their surroundings, interact well with the childminder and other children. They are all developing their skills through the different toys available including construction, puzzles, games, art and craft materials, books, small world items and outdoor play equipment. The children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enjoy regular opportunities to develop their creativity through a wide range of art and craft activities including painting, drawing, play dough and cooking. They also enjoy the weekly planned activities including stories, music and movement, ring games and singing. The childminder regularly praises the children's efforts and achievements building their confidence and self esteem. They all enjoy visits to the park to feed the ducks.

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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 All the children are valued, respected and treated as individuals. The children develop their understanding of other people and the world about them through the range of appropriate books, dolls and small world figures. All the children are developing their independence skills and make their own choices and selections throughout the day, for example, older children chose their sandwich filling at lunch time. Children have their individual needs met, for example, young babies maintain their own eating and sleeping routine. Any child with special needs receives good care through the childminders understanding of each individual need. The children are very settled and secure in their surroundings. New children settle quickly through the good settling in policy and procedures used by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Some older children have attended for several years and feel part of the family. All the children enjoy their time at the childminders and have developed a good relationship with other family members. The children behave well. Older children are aware of the clear, consistent house rules and boundaries, for example, children sit at the table to eat and drink. The older children play well together, share, take turns and co-operate with one another and the childminder. Younger children are learning these skills ably assisted by the childminder. The children are fully stimulated and occupied throughout their time with the childminder preventing them from becoming bored and disruptive. The children have confidence in the childminder as they see her working closely with their parents. Parents receive good information about their child's day through verbal discussion. They are provided with the weekly menu, plan of activities and general

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Helping children make a positive contribution

routine on the parent notice board in the hallway. A daily written record is available to any parent if required. Parents see the childminders detailed port folio and receive copies of her policies and procedures. They have full written contracts which include all written agreements required, for example, permission to use her vehicle and take the children on outings. The children receive suitable care through the information provided by the parents and implemented by the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are well cared for in a well organised provision. They have access to suitable areas for resting, sleeping, eating, playing, messy activities and time outdoors. All the toys and equipment provided are suitable and well organised throughout the home. The childminder works with her sister and together they care for a number of children throughout the week. They organise themselves well and provide cover for one another as children are taken and collected from local schools and pre-schools. Children attend for a variety of sessions and the childminder uses a good registration system to show who is present at any one time. She also records visitors to the home keeping the children safe at all times. The well organised paperwork and detailed records demonstrate how she organises her business to care for the children. She has a well written port folio including her policies and procedures

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Organisation

for the setting. One policy requires reviewing to ensure it meets registration requirements and keeps the children safe. All her records are suitably stored to maintain confidentiality. The childminder keeps abreast of changes to the National

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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 Standards and has implemented new procedures to meet these at all times, for example, she displays her certificate and implements Birth to 3 Matters to provide good care for children under three years. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was required to obtain written permission from parent's to take the children's photographs and to take them on outings. All the parents have signed an additional agreement for these areas. This ensures the children are cared for in agreement with the parents wishes making them safe and secure. The childminder was required to make her garden safe. She has now removed the old lawn mower, rusty barbecue and the grass has been cut. In addition she has a suitable, safe, low level play area available for the under 5's to one side of the garden. The upper level is only used by over 5's. This can be used safely through the use of mesh fencing to prevent the children falling down the steep bank. All the children may now access the garden safely. She was also required to develop her knowledge of child protection procedures. The childminder now has a detailed policy and procedure in place written in line with local

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Improvements since the last inspection

Area Child Protection Committee guidance. She has a good knowledge and understanding of how to manage child protection issues including keeping herself and others free from allegation of abuse. This in turn ensures the safety of all the children in her care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There has been one complaint since April 2004. This related to National Standard 2 organisation. Ofsted were advised the childminder was over minding and taking up to nine children under seven years to school in the mornings. Ofsted was also advised the childminder left children alone in her home when she collected other children from school. An Ofsted inspector made an announced visit and found the childminder was not in breach of the standard and no further action was taken. 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 then those made by 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 satisfactory. 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 the bandages available in the first aid kit are sterile. • ensure all cleaning materials are inaccessible to the children. • review and change the policy relating to children playing upstairs to ensure it meets the registration conditions agreed.

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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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