Childminder in Kent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY307933 Inspection date 07 December 2005 Inspector Annie Williams

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and school age child. 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding three pre-school age children. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local childminding group. The family has a cat and a rabbit.

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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 a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The premises are clean. Good levels of hygiene sustained by the childminder contribute to keeping children healthy. Even the youngest children learn about personal hygiene procedures. For example, they wash hands before meals and after nappy changes. Regular practice of cleaning teeth ensures that babies develop an early routine of dental hygiene. The use of individual bed linen, towels and flannels helps to prevent the spread of infection. A sick child policy, clear procedures for accidents, and the childminder's up-to-date knowledge of first aid mean that she is able to act in the best interest of children should they become ill or have an accident. Although the childminder has clear procedures to administer prescribed medication, these are less clear for non-prescribed medication. Parents provide meals for the children which the childminder encourages to be healthy. Children and babies enjoy healthy snacks, such as fruit, and are provided

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Helping children to be healthy

with regular drinks of water to keep their bodies hydrated. Children and babies' routines are respected by the childminder: they are fed and allowed to sleep according to their individual needs. Outings to the park and baby gym are a regular feature of the routine. During this time children and babies engage in rigorous physical exercise, such as climbing, crawling, pulling to stand and cruising around the equipment. Children are able to make use of the garden in fine weather.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are safe and secure. As a result, children are unable to leave unsupervised, and are protected from any unwanted visitors. Toys and resources are clean and in good condition because the childminder cleans and checks them regularly. Effective procedures for the arrival and collection of children, the childminder's clear understanding of child protection, and the recommendations for sleeping babies contribute to keeping children safe. Clear procedures for outings ensure that children are kept safe away from the childminder's home. A written evacuation plan understood by the childminder, a fire blanket and regularly checked smoke alarms ensure that children and adults are able to evacuate the premises safely and quickly.

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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 Babies are well cared for by the childminder, who is kind and caring in her interactions towards them. A range of toys and resources that are clean and in good condition help the childminder promote babies and children's development. Babies are encouraged to look, touch, reach and follow toys; they kick their legs and shake their arms in excitement. Babies are able to move around freely and safely, they are able to crawl and pull to stand using the furniture. Babies' language development is encouraged by the childminder. For example, she talks to them and provides interesting toys, such as books made from different materials. Babies respond to gentle massage clearly relaxed and soothed. As a result, they develop a sense of well-being. Singing is a regular feature of the routine,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

babies join in through banging instruments and doing actions such as 'Row, row, row the boat.' Building bricks are popular amongst the babies who imitate the childminder placing bricks on top of each other and then pulling them apart. They laugh as they engage in repetitive play with the childminder, such as making the jack in the box pop out. The childminder has attended a Birth to Three Matters course but has not been able to obtain the framework. Therefore, she has not yet used it to further enhance her service, for example, by introducing more natural materials into baby play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Babies are happy and settled in the care of the childminder because she has a good settling-in policy. Children's personal cultures are successfully acknowledged by the childminder, who obtains details about the children so that she can provide appropriate care: favourite toys, favourite games, information how to settle the child, sleeping pattern, favourite food and drink, and allergies. There is a small selection of resources that reflect positive images of ethnicity and culture to help children learn about differences in out society. Behaviour is managed positively, for example, by the use of distraction. Although the childminder has not cared for children with special needs, she is happy to do so and has a clear understanding of how to access information about special needs or disability. Children and babies are helped to find out about the wider world and local community through regular outings, for example,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

to the park, zoo or shops. Positive relationships have been established between the parents and the childminder. Parents are well informed of their child's care and routine because the childminder provides a contact book and a scrap book. Contracts provide a clear outline of expectations and appropriate parents' permissions have been obtained. In addition, the childminder has produced a range of policies that she shares with parents about her service. As yet the complaints policy has not been updated to reflect recent changes.

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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 Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The routine is balanced to include quiet times, rest, active times, meals and outings. Consequently, children are secure and content. All the required documentation for the safe and efficient management of the setting and for the welfare and care of children is maintained. All adults living in the household have undergone checks to establish their suitability. The certificate of registration is displayed and the attendance register confirms that the childminder complies with the conditions of her registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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): • develop clear procedures for the administration of calpol • continue to develop the use of the Birth to three matters framework • further develop the complaints policy to reflect recent 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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