Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY294041 Unique Reference Number 21 June 2006 Inspection date Bridget Richardson 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 2004. She lives with her husband and child aged two years in Southwick. The lounge and one other room of the childminder’s flat is used for childminding and children are taken on regular outings for outside play. The childminder attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for two children at any one time and is currently minding one child 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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a clean environment where the childminder has a clear understanding of the importance of good personal hygiene. For example, the changing mat is wiped over with an anti-bacterial substance after individual use and toys and equipment used by the children are cleaned regularly to minimise the risk of cross infection. Liquid soap and individual towels are made accessible to older children to encourage good personal hygiene practices.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This means she is able to give appropriate care if there is an accident. Children who are infectious do not attend which helps prevent the spread of contagious diseases. Clear procedures are in place for the administration of medication. The childminder gains prior written consent from parents to administer medication to ensure children receive the correct dosage according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder prepares healthy and nutritious meals for children, which takes in to account their cultural and individual needs. The childminder gathers all relevant information regarding diet and medical history. This ensures children's individual and medical needs are met. Fresh drinking water is available at all times and the children attending are encouraged and reminded to drink. This encourages them to think about their personal needs. The childminder is aware of ensuring children are given a range of opportunities to take part in physical play, both indoors and out.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder organises her indoor space to encourage children to feel relaxed and at home in the environment. Children have access to a suitable range of toys and resources, which are easily accessible and appropriate for their age, and stage of development. The childminder checks toys and equipment daily to ensure any items considered unsafe are removed, minimising the risks to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an evacuation procedure in place to ensure she can vacate children quickly and efficiently in the event of a fire. The childminder has generally identified risks within the home. For example, kitchen cupboards have safety locks fitted to prevent children gaining access, chemicals are stored out of reach of children and a fireguard is fitted. However, a rug in the hallway is not suitably maintained and poses a tripping hazard to children and the childminder when carrying a young child. The childminder has a clear understanding of how to keep children safe on outings. She supervises children at all times, talking with them about road safety. This encourages children to think about their own personal safety. However, she has not gained permission from parents to take children on outings, which may mean parents are unaware of the activities their child is completing whilst in the childminders care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take if she has a concern about a child in her care. This supports children's well-being.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children in the childminders care benefit from a caring and friendly relationship. The childminder works closely with parents to help children attending gain a sense of belonging. Children enjoy a suitable range of activities that are stimulating and well balanced to meet children's developmental needs. The childminder ensures toys and resources are easily accessible to children to promote the children's independence and freedom of choice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder recognises the individual needs of children attending and acts on this knowledge to support appropriate periods of rest and activity. She organises her day to ensure that individual needs are met and children have opportunities to complete a wide range of activities to promote all round development. For example, outings to the shops and local parks, free play in the home and times to rest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder supports children well and is involved in encouraging children to try out developing skills, this has a positive effect on encouraging children to set their own challenges and acquire new skills. For example, the childminder spent time with a young child looking at books, and showing the child how to turn the pages and encouraging language development through talking about the pictures on each page.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder is aware of individual needs and respects children's differences. A range of resources help children to develop an understanding of the world in which they live. The childminder provides children with opportunities to appreciate and value each other's similarities and differences, through planned activities and outings to libraries and music groups. The childminder has systems in place to support children with special educational needs. Close liaison with parents helps to ensure the individual needs of the child attending are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder offers children attending lots of praise and encouragement in their everyday activities. She encourages children to play co-operatively through appropriate supervision and support of each child. This helps to support children’s positive behaviour and encourages them to think about others in their play. She has some basic ground rules in place that are consistently applied, which helps children feel secure and understand the boundaries within the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is satisfactory. There are informal systems in place for the childminder and parents to share information about what children attending have completed whilst in the childminder's care. This is completed through informal discussion at the beginning and end of each session.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children attending are at home and benefit from the organised play space provided. However, the rug in the hallway poses a tripping hazard to children and the childminder. The childminder

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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 knows and supports children well, which helps children to feel secure and confident in the surroundings. There are flexible routines in place that offers a balance of activity and quiet play to meet children's individual needs.

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Organisation

Documentation is generally well organised and maintained confidentially. However, relevant signed permissions forms are not in place and the attendance register does not accurately record times of arrival and departure.

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Organisation

The childminder's registration certificate is displayed. The childminder has completed the introducing childminding course and an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for babies and young children to enhance her practice. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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Complaints 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 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 the rug in hallway does not pose a hazard to children • develop the attendance register to show times of arrival and departure • ensure relevant permissions are in place.

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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 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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