Barantyne Middle School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 126824 Inspection date 17 January 2006 Inspector Susan Jennifer Scott

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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 1995. The childminder lives with her husband and two primary aged children. They live in a house in New Ash Green, near Longfield. There are bus routes, schools, playgroups, carer and toddler groups, library, leisure centre, shops and park within a short distance. The childminder is registered to provide care for five children under eight years, of these, not more than three may be under five years, and of these, not more than one may be under one 1 year. She is not registered to provide overnight care. At present the childminder cares for two children 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 whole of the house is available, though the ground floor is mainly used for minding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. It is a non smoking household. There are rabbits in a hutch outside in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder promotes the health of children successfully. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through routines such as, using tissues, and wipes before and after eating food. Children are encouraged to develop their self care skills, and use individual hand towels and bibs; this protects them from cross infection. The childminder keeps herself informed of current childcare practices by attending relevant courses. For example, she has a current first aid certificate. She is therefore able to administer first aid to children in the event of an accident and she has written permission to seek emergency treatment if needed. These measures ensure appropriate support in an emergency. Children are offered frequent access to sugar free drinks or water, which the parents provide and the childminder can supplement. Children eat snacks and meals regularly which ensures they are appropriately nourished. They are able to bring their

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Helping children to be healthy

own snacks and packed lunches if parents wish and these can be stored safely. The childminder uses good negotiation skills to ensure children eat fresh cooked, healthy food if she prepares meals. Children experience a variety of energetic activities, including going on outings to local parks and play provision in the community. Children also play in the garden, using large toys. They have limited access to the television and computer games. This helps them understand the need for exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to feel settled and secure through their unrestricted use of the space on the ground floor. They benefit from being able to move around safely and independently. Children are made to feel welcome when they enter the house as they see many of the toys and resources. Children benefit from a varied and attractive range of safe and suitable toys, resources and equipment, including imaginative toys, craft materials and car seats. They are able to access an attractive variety of age appropriate toys which are changed frequently, and this ensures their interest is always stimulated. These include interesting books, soft toys, selections of puzzles, games, imaginative toys and small world toys such as dolls and cars.

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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 are kept safe in the home and enjoy their play in a family environment. All the necessary steps have been taken to minimise risks, such as the use of stair-gates to prevent access to the kitchen. The childminder is vigilant and supervises them effectively. Children have access to a secure garden for vigorous physical play. Children are kept safe through procedures such as having to be strapped into car seats and the buggy during outings. The childminder has developed her understanding of the child protection issues, so that she is aware of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care. This safeguards the welfare of children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, relaxed and confident. They freely request help from the childminder because she is warm and affectionate towards them. For instance, the childminder cuddles the baby and involves her in conversations when she gestures for attention. Children's individual needs are met by the childminder who provides good support. For instance, when the baby is completing puzzles the childminder discusses the pictures on the pieces of puzzle and encourages her to name these. This means that children feel valued because they are invited to respond and receive attention when they demand it. Children are encouraged to develop their independence by making choices about the activities they become involved in and playing freely with the childminder. For instance, the baby is helped to complete different puzzles, and then chooses to play with construction bricks and the inter-active playmat .

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to enhance their emotional development, such as when the childminder shows recognition for the baby's requests and responds to these. They also experience good social opportunities, when they attend a variety of local amenities such as parks, play areas and local shops. Children enjoy and learn from a broad range of activities. They enjoy listening to stories read to them and are praised for their skills by the childminder. They enjoy using equipment such as the playmat and puzzles which develop their understanding and increases their dexterity. Children’s creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as role play with dolls and play prams. They learn from activities that allow them to explore and investigate such as playing with the sand and being outside in the garden.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Parents and children benefit from the individual information which is recorded and discussed with the childminder. This enables the childminder to meet children's

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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 individual needs effectively; for example, children enjoy activities that appeal to their interests such as listening to music and dancing. All children have access to some resources that reflect positive images of diversity such as dolls and books, and this enables them to develop a balanced view of society. The childminder has an understanding of caring for children with special needs. She is aware of the developmental needs of all the children in her care and knows how to obtain information and advice on specific issues. This enables her to support individual children so that they can make progress. The childminder manages children's behaviour in a very positive way. Children are constructively occupied, well supported and the frequent praise and recognition given by the childminder enables them to experience pride in their achievements and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

promotes good behaviour. The childminder develops a very effective partnership with parents. Children's welfare is supported as she spends time discussing their individual needs with parents and uses this to enable children to progress in their development and learning. Parents are invited into the home and made to feel welcome, they exchange good information using a contact book between both parties. This ensures consistency of care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from access to a variety of attractive and interesting resources and toys in this family home. They receive good adult support and stimulation to help them feel secure and confident. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The childminder keeps herself informed of current childcare practices by attending relevant courses. For example, she has a current first aid certificate and has increased her knowledge of child protection issues by reading publications from the NSPCC. Children benefit from the childminder’s use of the relevant and mandatory documentation. For example, she has an accurate register, children's records, accident and medication records. Children are safeguarded by the information on complaints should this be needed. All records are confidential, up to date and easily accessible. The childminder ensures that all people who have regular contact with children have

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Organisation

been properly checked although she does not have copies of the all the checks that were completed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has made good progress in addressing the

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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 recommendations that were made. The times of arrival and departure of minded children are noted in the register. Children's welfare is promoted by the understanding of child protection and equal opportunities that the childminder has developed.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints to report 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): • obtain checks from the Criminal records Bureau or adults of the household • obtain a copy of the Birth to three framework

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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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