Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY264264 Unique Reference Number 13 June 2006 Inspection date Stacey Sangster 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 has been registered since March 2003. She lives with her husband and five of their teenage children in a large four storey semi-detached house in St Leonards. The premises are within walking distance of local shops, rail station and play parks close by.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has 9 children on her register. All of the minded children attend on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The children use a designated playroom on the ground floor of the premises and a lounge under supervision on the lower ground floor. The family keep pets including budgies, cats and two dogs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There is a rear garden, but this is not available to minded children as it used daily by the dogs.

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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 The garden is not available to minded children and nearby play parks are used to enable minded children to have regular access to fresh air and exercise.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

One adult family member smokes but never inside the home.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is promoted adequately by the childminder. Children are provided with a regularly cleaned and appropriately aged toys and equipment. They are helped to develop good personal hygiene practices like hand washing after using the toilet as part of the everyday routine. Children are provided with some protection from cross infection by the childminders policy of not caring for children who have a stomach bug, but her practice of offering to care for children suffering from chicken pox and other common childhood illnesses at the request of parents does not afford children the protection from infection that they should receive.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is qualified in first aid and this ensures that she can act appropriately if children have an accident while in her care. She has not however obtained written consent from parents to seek emergency medical treatment and this could lead to a delay where a child to needs more than basic first aid.

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Helping children to be healthy

The health risks from pets has been effectively reduced. Children are not able to access the cats without supervision and have no contact with the dogs. Pet food is kept out of children's reach and children are supervised near the litter trays. The pets are treated to prevent fleas and worms which further helps to safeguard the children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat foods provided by their parents. The childminder promotes healthy eating by introducing them to new foods and encouraging children to eat fruit and vegetables. Children are motivated to eat healthy foods, when they see the childminder and her child enjoying them and are developing healthier and more varied diets as a result.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's emotional health is promoted by this childminder. She provides cuddles and reassurance which helps children to feels secure and settled in her care. Children have regular opportunities to experience physical play on regular outings to the park and local walks and this helps them to enjoy physical activity as part of their weekly routine.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety is adequately maintained by the precautions that the childminder takes in her home and on outings. A good range of practical measures are in place within the home to minimise risks. Children are closely supervised outside of the playroom and the childminder visually checks any other rooms to ensure all hazards are out of reach. Socket covers and stair gates are in use. On outings they are transported in buggies with straps or hold the childminders hand until they can safely be trusted to walk sensibly near roads.

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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 Equipment is of good quality and is well maintained and as such presents little risk to children. Small items are kept out of the reach of younger children and items are checked for the suitability of the ages when they are purchased. Children receive gentle reminders how to use the equipment safely, such as not swinging it near the baby, or putting game parts in their mouth and along with a simple explanation, this helps children develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a knowledge of child protection issues and has written materials to refer to in the event that she develops a concern about a child in her care. She is aware of her responsibility to share concerns with the social services department and her understanding of this ensures that children's welfare is appropriately safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy themselves in the care of this childminder. She provides them with a well balanced routine, with opportunities for fresh air, stimulating activities which help them learn and quiet times so that they can relax. Positive relationships are encouraged and children learn right from wrong in a supportive environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

It is a busy household and minded children enjoy the interaction with the childminders own adult children who live in the home. Children receive lots of positive interaction from the other adults who show an interest in their enjoyment of their time in the house.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's self esteem is promoted by the childminders use of positive praise. Children feel valued because she listens to what they say and spends time talking and listening to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses her knowledge of the children to provide them with activities that she knows they will enjoy and which are appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

She gathers good information about the children's care needs before they start with her and this ensures that she is able to meet their individual needs effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are treated as individuals and the childminder strives to ensure that children's individual care needs are met. Activities and routines are planned to ensure that children's religious and cultural needs are acknowledged and respected. The childminder provides a few positive images of people from a variety of cultures and this supports her in developing children's knowledge of the wider community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has some experience of caring for children with special needs, and is open to doing so. She has a very basic written policy outlining her aims if caring for a child with additional needs. The childminder would ensure that she felt confident that she is able to meet the needs of any child in her care before offering a place. She has sufficient knowledge of child

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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 development to be able to assist in the identification of special needs and would discuss any developmental concerns with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good because the childminder keeps the children well occupied and has good strategies in place for dealing with negative behaviour. They receive appropriate levels of praise and encouragement to behave well. By offering rules which are consistent with those the children have in place at home, children receive a clear message about behaviour which is acceptable and that which is not.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive verbal information about their child's day and this enhances the service being provided. Good communication ensures that children's changing needs are quickly identified. The childminder uses quality contracts to ensure that both parties are clear about the business arrangements in place and this minimises the opportunity for disputes. Parents and the childminder meet more formally every three months to sign paperwork and update information. This enables the childminder to review her practice in a positive way.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is committed to extending her knowledge by attending regular training relevant to childcare and has recently embarked on a degree in early years. This ensures that she keeps abreast of current childcare practices and as a result, the childcare that she offers remains compliant with the requirements of registration.

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Organisation

The childminder organises her home to ensure that space and resources are organised to meet the children's needs effectively. Children predominantly use the playroom but are also able to access the lounge.

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Organisation

Documentation is appropriately maintained and is well organised. Parents can access information about their own children and confidentiality is respected. The record keeping enhances the care that the childminder is able to offer as it is informative and used to support the care of the children. All of the required documentation and systems for recording are in place, with the exception of a complaint log and written consent to obtain emergency medical treatment.

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Organisation

The provider meets the needs of the range of children for whom they care for.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were two recommendations made as a result of the last inspection. these related to checking the suitability of members of the household once they became 16 and ensuring that children had an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

All householders have now completed satisfactory checks and the childminder is now organised to ensure that this is repeated as each of her other children reaches 16.

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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 The childminder has purchased a few additional items such as play people in a wheelchair and with different skin tones. In addition she states that she also uses the local childminding association multi-cultural box, to supplement her own activities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of the action taken to meet the two recommendations the childminder has made satisfactory progress in addressing the issues raised at the last inspection

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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 that you obtain confirmation of parents consent to obtain emergency medical treatment in writing. • ensure that minded children are appropriately protect from contact with infectious illnesses • devise a system to record complaints in line with ofsted requirements

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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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