Portesbery School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 125474 Inspection date 23 January 2006 Inspector Lara Hickson

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1987, she lives with her husband and 3 children aged 17,15 and 12 years. The family live in a quiet, residential area in Northfleet, Kent. All areas of the ground floor are used for childminding purposes and children have supervised access to the first floor bathroom. Older children are able to play in a first floor bedroom, there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has 2 cats. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 6 children on a part time basis. The childminder is able to

p.2

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 take and collect from local schools. The childminder attends local parent/toddler groups. The childminder supports children with Special Educational Needs. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is a Support Childminder. The childminder has completed an NVQ three in Early Years Childcare and Education.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have good opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise, for example, they walk to school every day as well as enjoying regular trips to local parks or to the woods. They also have the opportunity to practise their fine motor skills, for example drawing and colouring or creating with the Hama beads. The childminder has effective hygiene procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder encourages the children to develop independent hygiene procedures, for example, finding and using tissues appropriately and disposing of dirty tissues hygienically. Children are protected from sickness and infection due to the childminder's appropriate measures when children become ill in her care. There is a written sickness policy in place and the childminder explains her sickness procedures to parents at their initial meeting. Children benefit from the appropriate procedures in place regarding accidents, first

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

aid and the administration of medication. The childminder records all accidents and medication entries in an accident book and asks parents to countersign entries once she explains the circumstances of the accident or the administration of medication. The childminder has an up to date first aid qualification and responds appropriately to any injuries or accidents occurring to children in her care. The childminder has obtained parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or to administer medication. Children's health and dietary needs are met due to the childminder's understanding of the importance of healthy eating and as a result of discussing and recording information received from parents about their child's individual dietary needs and requirements. All details on individual dietary requirements are recorded on child record forms. The children are provided with healthy well balanced meals, drinks and

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

snacks through the partnership between their parents and childminder. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the benefits of healthy eating and has used food pyramids to explain nutrition to the children. Children have access to a range of age appropriate toys and resources which are clean and in good condition. Children benefit from childminder's regular checks on resources which ensures that high standards of safety and cleanliness are

p.3

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 maintained.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The children are cared for in a warm, welcoming environment where risks and hazards have been identified and minimised by the childminder. A range of appropriate safety precautions are in place, for example, socket covers, safety gates and smoke alarms. Children are learning about how to stay safe because the childminder talks to them and explains dangerous situations, such as not running in the home setting. Children are closely supervised by the childminder whilst they play in the home although she encourages them to develop their independence. An extensive range of toys and activities suitable for the children's ages and stages of development can be safely and independently selected. Resources are clean and the childminder regularly carries out checks on their condition, thus helping to ensure the children's ongoing safety. Excellent fire evacuation procedures ensure that children are protected in the event

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of an emergency situation. The childminder has displayed her fire evacuation procedure in the hallway and has practiced, with the children a procedure to follow in the event of a fire or emergency in the home. The childminder is able to keep children safe from harm and is aware of her responsibilities regarding child protection. She ensures that these procedures are easily accessible, is aware of the signs that a child may be at risk and is confident of the referral process.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely happy, relaxed and confident in the stimulating and child centered environment created by the childminder. Children have the opportunity to independently select toys and activities from the wide range available. The children benefit from the childminder playing and interacting with them, supporting their learning and encouraging their language and communication skills. Open ended questions are used by the childminder to introduce and extend vocabulary, for example "What is the lady doing". The childminder repeats phrases to the child and if necessary corrects a child through everyday conversation rather than informing the child that they have said it incorrectly. This allows children to practice new words and phrases confidently without any fear of failure. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the different stages of development and encourages each child's individual learning opportunities. The

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder uses Birth to 3 matters as a reference tool for extending the under 3's progress and development and to check her practice. The childminder introduces the children to concepts of colour number and shape during activities together with new vocabulary. For example when playing with the fire engine and fire fighters the

p.4

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 childminder introduced colours for each item of clothing and concepts of size. Children are taken on outings in the local community where they have the opportunity to participate in an extensive range of activities. These experiences help children develop social skills and extend their knowledge and understanding of the world.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are promoted extremely well by the childminder who works in partnership with parents to ensure continuity of care. Children's home routines and individual needs are discussed and followed, where possible, helping children to feel comfortable and settled away from their own home. The childminder creates time daily to talk to parents about their children, what they have been doing and the progress they are making. The childminder is aware of the changes regarding complaints and has informed parents of the new procedure. She is also going to update her own complaints procedure to include these changes. Children develop confidence and self-esteem as a result of the childminder's praise and encouragement, for example, when the child was able to name some toy characters correctly. Good relationships have been formed with the children allowing them to approach the childminder with confidence and affection. Children benefit

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

from being treated as individuals by the childminder who knows their unique personalities and stages of development extremely well. Children benefit from access to a wide range of resources which portray positive images, helping them to develop sensitivity and to have some understanding of different races and cultures. Children have the opportunity to celebrate different festivals throughout the year, for example, Chinese New Year and Diwali. The childminder has a positive approach to non-sexist play which means children's play opportunities are not restricted by their gender. The childminder has realistic expectations of children's behaviour. There are consistent house rules in place to ensure children behave appropriately and these mainly relate to safety issues, general good manners and respect for each other and the home setting. The childminder speaks calmly and gives explanations appropriate to each child's age and level of understanding, for example when a child starting

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

playing with a cassette, she reminded him that it would break if he pulled the cassette reel out. Children are encouraged to share and take turns and are learning how to play in a group and relate well to each other. The childminder has previous experience of caring for a child with special educational needs and from discussions demonstrates a supportive yet realistic approach. The childminder works in partnership with parents and other agencies to meet the needs of any child in her care.

p.5

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 The organisation is outstanding. Children's needs are met through highly effective organisation, the childminder has a very professional approach to maintaining good quality records and all documentation sampled was thoroughly recorded, securely stored and shared with parents. The childminder has organised her home setting for childminding purposes, for example, toys and resources are easily accessible in storage units and on low shelves enabling the children to independently select. Children benefit from the established daily routine which help children to feel settled and secure and incorporates free play, outings to toddler groups and parks as well as adequate time for meals and rest. All documentation pertaining to childminding is in place and stored in an organised,

p.5

Organisation

confidential file. The childminder has a written set of Policies and Procedures which are effectively used in practice and enhance the care that she provides. The attendance record is up-to-date and is clearly recorded to include times of arrival and departure. The childminder has well organised information for each child and records are shared with parents as required. The organisation and easy accessibility of children's details and contact numbers ensures that all necessary information is easily available to effectively manage children's care. The childminder has the required written consent from parents for transport, to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and to administer medication. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the National Standards and Guidance and has completed a number of additional courses to enhance and extend her knowledge and understanding of childcare practice.

p.6

Organisation

The childminder has a positive approach towards further training and personal development and has completed courses which enable her to meet the developmental needs of the children in her care, for example, she has completed Birth to 3 Matters and an NVQ Level 3. The childminder is a Support childminder and supports four newly childminders. The childminder is aware of her responsibility regarding her registration and the numbers of children she is able to care for. She is registered for six children and is currently caring for six children on a part-time basis. Children are suitably protected by the childminder from people who have not been vetted. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

Since her previous inspection the childminder has extended her knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities. She has extended the activities and resources that provide positive images of equality, anti-discriminatory practice and other languages. For example, she has purchased dual language books, small world people depicting different cultures, cassettes with songs from around the world, additional dressing up clothes, books on different celebrations and posters reflecting different languages and images.

p.6

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

p.6

Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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.

p.7

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.7

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.

p.7

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): • update complaints policy to include recent revisions

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7