Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY300656 Unique Reference Number 05 September 2006 Inspection date Rosemary Musgrove Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 satisfactory. 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 two children aged three years and two years in Worthing, West Sussex. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding two children under eight years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler group. The family have two cats, one dog, some fish and a hamster.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean environment where they are encouraged to wash their hands before they eat a meal. All children have separate cutlery, plates and cups, this means that the risk of the spread of infection is minimised.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and is able to administer first aid in the event of an emergency. Children who are infectious do not attend, in order to prevent the spread of contagious ailments. The childminder has requested parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment and she maintains clear records when a child has an injury or she administers medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children can have a drink at any time. On return from school they select from a range that includes milkshakes, fruit juice or squash. The childminder encourages the children to drink water and provides waters that are different flavours. The childminder understands the importance of healthy eating, for example, children have fruit for their morning snack and at dinner time. She offers a variety of dinners and these include shepherd's pie, lasagne, casseroles and salads. At lunch time children choose the filling for their sandwiches, such as jam, cheese, marmite or ham.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in a range of experiences that help their physical development. For example, the childminder has a garden that is available for outdoor activities, such as a bouncy castle. In addition, she takes the children to 'Fun Junction' where they enjoy climbing, ball pits and the slides.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home that is suitable and welcoming for young children. Children can select resources that are clean and appropriate for their age, including jigsaw puzzles, dressing up clothes and role play equipment. Inside the childminder's home, children have enough clear space to move around freely and independently. However, the outdoor area is rather cluttered, this means that children cannot move around easily and safely when playing or running around the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in a home where the childminder is aware of some potential hazards. She has implemented a number of safety measures to protect children from harm and to keep them safe. These include child locks on kitchen doors and cupboards, a hob guard and protective edges on the coffee table. The childminder's home is secure and there are suitable procedures in place for the safe collection of children. The childminder has a written fire policy and this includes details of how to evacuate the house in the event of an emergency.

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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 The childminder takes appropriate measures to keep children safe on outings. These include procedures for getting in and out of the car and helping the children to develop an awareness of traffic and road safety issues.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected by a childminder who is informed about the signs and symptoms of child abuse. She is aware of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well at the childminder's home. They approach the childminder for support and guidance when undertaking activities. The childminder has a sound knowledge of child development, this means that the children's personal, social and emotional development is fostered.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take part in a range of activities, including adult initiated tasks, listening to stories and dressing up. After school they enjoy an activity with the childminder to help them recognise numbers and tell the time. The childminder encourages them to make a clock, this involves a range of tasks including cutting out numbers, decorating the clock face with feathers and sequins and counting the correct numbers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy creative activities at the childminder's home. These include baking cakes, making a sea shell collage and creating a large tree from their hand prints. The childminder takes children on a range of outings, this means they learn about their local community. Recently, the children have visited an aquarium, Harbour Park at Littlehampton and a garden centre where they took part in a treasure hunt.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's favourite activities include playing in the garden with the playhouse, relaxing and being with the childminder's family and painting pictures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has an awareness and understanding of individual differences. She tries to ensure that the children's needs are met while they are playing or when they choose a drink. During creative activities she differentiates the tasks to suit the stage of development of each child. The younger children paint and stick, while older children do cutting activities that require a higher level of co-ordination. The childminder has a sound knowledge of equality of opportunity and children have access to all toys. Children learn about their own culture through activities at Christmas, for example, making cards. However, resources and activities that promote an awareness of other cultures and a positive image of diversity are very limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a sound understanding of learning difficulties and has cared for an autistic child. While at school she worked in a play scheme and supported children with a range of individual needs. She is happy to consider caring for a child with a specific requirement, if she could give them enough time and attention.

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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 The childminder has a behaviour management policy for parents to browse. She uses a range of appropriate strategies to deal with unwanted behaviour. She encourages children to think about their behaviour and other people's feelings. The childminder praises the children, for example, when they are successfully completing a collage activity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder gathers relevant information before she cares for the children. During an initial meeting with parents the childminder provides relevant information for them to browse. Documents include her ground rules, a policy on the collection of children and a statement on equality of opportunity. The childminder gives parents the choice of a daily diary about their child or an informal chat at the end of the day. This means that parents know about significant events in their child's day.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from playing in a home that is organised to provide as much clear space indoors as possible, although the outdoor area is limited. There are sufficient resources and enough adult attention to help them feel secure and settled.

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Organisation

The childminder has the majority of the required records and documentation in place and these are generally well maintained and securely stored. However, the childminder does not have the required log of parental complaints. There are a number of policies and procedures which support the childminder's practice and contribute to the well-being of the children, for example, procedures for the administration of medication.

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Organisation

Information about the child's day and the care they receive is shared on a daily basis, this contributes to and enhances the continuity of the child's care.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of 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 ensure that good hygiene practices were in place in order to reduce the risk of infection from animals, to assess risks to children within the home and take steps to minimise these and to ensure children can easily access a suitable range of toys and resources at all times.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now ensures that the dog is fed outside and his bowl is kept away from minded children, the banisters on the landing have been covered to prevent children from climbing them and hazards from the children's bedroom have been removed. A suitable range of children's toys are stored downstairs and children are able to independently select their preferred option.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints 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 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 satisfactory. 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 children have access to a broad range of resources and activities which reflect diversity • ensure children are able to move freely and safely in the garden area • update policies in line with National Standards for complaints.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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