Boreham, Deborah Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY152576 Inspection date 06 March 2006 Inspector Jackie Liffen

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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 registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and two children in Pembury, Kent. Most 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler group.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are becoming familiar with healthy routines, prompted by the childminder who provides useful aids such as a step-stool and supervises them to ensure that they wash their hands properly and at appropriate times. Children's welfare is enhanced because the childminder follows recommended guidelines regarding the administration of medicines. They exercise and enjoy fresh air in the garden or on the walk to school. Babies sleep well in the travel cot upstairs where clean linen is used each time, and older children rest comfortably on the settee or armchairs. Some parents bring food for their own babies and the childminder makes sure that children do not suffer by storing perishables in a suitable temperature in the fridge. Generally children are developing well because the childminder has a good knowledge of the nutritional value of food and ensures that they receive sustaining meals and snacks;

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Helping children to be healthy

also she enables children to help themselves to a drink at any time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a warm, comfortable environment where the childminder uses a number of strategies to ensure their safety; for example a stair gate is used at the bottom of the stairs and doors are locked so that children cannot exit by themselves. Children amuse themselves with good quality toys which the childminder checks for safety on a daily basis; she throws any broken ones away. The childminder ensures that children cannot burn themselves on the convector heater in the conservatory by putting it away after use and before she commences childminding. She covers the hearth with cushions to ensure that children cannot trip and hurt themselves. Children have fun on the wooden platform at the top of the garden where the gates are padlocked to ensure that they cannot fall downstairs. If they explore the larger, lower part of the garden, then the childminder supervises them very closely to minimise any

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

potential dangers. Children are well protected because the childminder has a good knowledge of how to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows how to contact professionals if necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children choose what they wish to play with from a varied range of age-appropriate toys and games which are in good condition and well maintained. Although, some children do not settle so well with the childminder because she is not planning how to help them in all areas of learning, most of them enjoy choosing from the toys on offer and investigate and explore in comfortable surroundings. Children receive a great deal of attention from the childminder who spends a lot of time interacting with them on an informal basis. Children enjoy listening to stories and sitting with the

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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 childminder who converses well with them, stimulating them into thinking and responding appropriately. Children extend their physical development when they choose to play outside on the wheeled toys, balls or the swing; they also enjoy going for walks and on outings. Sometimes the childminder encourages children to count and consider the relationship between numbers during their play. Children are also developing hand and eye coordination and intellectual creativity when they play with puzzles and activities such as play-dough.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals and benefit from continuity of care because the childminder keeps parents fully informed about each child's activities and achievements. They play with a number of toys depicting other cultures and the childminder sometimes introduces suitable activities to enhance children's understanding of equal opportunities, particularly with regard to disabilities. The childminder works with parents to make sure that children receive suitable attention, for example she encourages a ten month old baby to sit up by putting him in a special support. Children benefit from continuity of care because parents are kept fully informed about their activities and achievements. Children with special needs are welcomed by the childminder who has experience in caring for them and works with parents and professionals to provide well for each individual. Most children are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

happy within the setting because the childminder manages their behaviour well by ensuring that they have plenty of attention. The childminder uses positive reinforcement to raise children's self-esteem and confidence.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder keeps all regulatory paperwork neatly filed and ensures that her register is up to date. She ensures that she works within the parameters of her registration conditions and keeps sufficient documentation so that children are cared for suitably. She is renewing her first aid qualification shortly and is keen to seek further advice regarding the development of children. The childminder organises her space to meet children's needs effectively by adapting her home so that children are able to explore in safety and comfort. She has sufficient written policies covering different areas of childcare so that children benefit from her professional relationship with parents. She also clearly displays her registration certificate and childcare information and offers daily contact books so that parents are aware of their child's activities and achievements. Overall the childminder is well able to meet the needs of

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Organisation

the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues; devise and implement a policy about 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 administration of medicines; expand the service-statement to include care for children with special needs; extend the range of resources to depict positive images of people with disabilities and provide opportunities for parents to receive regular information on their children's progress. The childminder has developed her knowledge of child protection issues; devised and implemented a policy on the administration of medicines; including the care of children with special needs on her service statement and now provides regular feedback to parents regarding their children's progress. She also borrows a resource box from the local toy library depicting people's disabilities so that children's awareness and understanding is increased. She has undertaken a food hygiene course so that she has a good knowledge regarding the nutritional value of food and

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Improvements since the last inspection

is able to provide sustaining food for children.

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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): • plan a suitable range of activities for pre-school children, which are appropriate for their stage of development and based on their individual needs

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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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