Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY318453 Inspection date 30 May 2006 Inspector Elaine Simmons

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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 December 2005. She lives with her husband and pre-school aged child in a residential area of Crawley, West Sussex. Childminding takes place on the ground floor, with toilet facilities included in this area. Sleep facilities are provided on the first floor. A fully enclosed garden provides an outside play area. She presently cares for four children on a part time basis who are aged from 22 months to nine years. The family pets include a cat and fish in a fish tank. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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. The children benefit from the childminders clean, tidy and well maintained home. The childminder uses good health and hygiene routines. For example, children are taken to wash their hands before eating and they each have their own individual towel for hand drying. She uses good hygienic routines when changing nappies, ensuring the changing mat is cleaned immediately and the dirty nappy is put in a designated nappy disposal bin. The childminder is aware of health and safety issues when pets are present in the home and she ensures these are minimised. She has good sickness, accident and medication procedures in place and these safeguard the children's well being. Children are given good opportunities for regular exercise. They are able to play in the garden when weather permits and are taken to visit local parks and in door activity centres. This enables them to have good physical exercise, which

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Helping children to be healthy

contributes towards their good health. The children are given healthy and nutritious home cooked meals at lunch time and these are prepared by the childminder. They are offered suitable healthy snacks and drinks during the day sufficient to meet their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is very well organised so that the children have plenty of room to play and can move around freely and safely. The children have access to a large varied range of safe, clean, suitable toys and equipment to suit the age range attending. The childminder has good safety procedures and resources in place to protect the children and to keep them safe. For example she prevents access to areas of the home and garden that could be hazardous to children. Keeps doors locked and puts the keys out of reach of the children but, within easily reach of adults. She chooses the safest route, along quiet roads, when walking children to and from school, to help keep them safe. Children are further protected by her clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and all child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children enjoy a varied range of activities provided by the childminder to help their development in all areas. They are able to independently select toys from the resources around the room. Children learn as the childminder assists them in their play. Showing them how to use the rolling pin and cutters when playing with the play dough and assisting them to make patterns with the stencils and crayons. The childminder is aware of the need to allow children to learn on their own, by trial and error, whilst supporting them and showing them how to use the resources provided.

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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 The childminder prepares and sets out toys ready for the children to play with. For example, the happy land equipment and village people were invitingly set out on road mats in the lounge for when the child arrived. Children also enjoy visits with the childminder to local toddler groups, the toy library and activity centres, where they can play and socialise with other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are successfully met by the childminder. She invites parents and children to visit prior to starting so that she can obtain information about the children's individual routines and preferences. She has a good understanding of equality of opportunity and has her own clearly written equal opportunity statement and aims. Children have access to good resources that reflect and promote the cultural diversity of the wider world around them. The childminder has some experience of caring for children with special needs and is willing to work with parents to meet the needs of the children. Children behave well because the childminder uses good behaviour management strategies. She is consistent and uses distraction, praise and encouragement at all times. Children have access to interesting and varied activities that help to keep them occupied which also promotes good

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Helping children make a positive contribution

behaviour. Parents are given good information about their child as the childminder keeps a daily diary to inform parents of the children's activities and details of their personal care, sleep and food intake. Children are able to share memories of outings they have been on with the childminder, because she has obtained parental permission to take photographs of them. The childminder puts these in a scrap book with the children's art work and gives this to the parents so that they have a record to keep.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are cared for in a secure and happy environment, where they can play safely and freely. They are given constant supervision both inside and outside the home, by the childminder. She has a clear understanding of the requirements of her registration regarding adult to child ratios, and ensures these are met at all times. The childminder is well organised and most of her paperwork is up to date and in order. However, she has only obtained permission from one parent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice and as a consequence children's welfare is not fully safeguarded. Documentation is stored securely to ensure children's personal details are kept confidential at all times. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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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): • ensure written permission is obtained from all parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice

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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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