Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY219609 Unique Reference Number 18 July 2006 Inspection date Karin Lane 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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and five in Broadbridge Heath, West Sussex. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for child minding, with toilet facilities upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside 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 one child under five part time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups. The family has a pet cat.

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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's health is effectively promoted because the childminder provides a clean, well ventilated home and suitable measures for the care of pets. Satisfactory arrangements are in place for dealing with children's accidents. However, the childminder has not followed regulatory procedures completely by referring a more serious accident to Ofsted. Children enjoy daily vigorous exercise; for example using large equipment at parent and toddler group or in the childminder's garden. They like using sit-and-ride toys and are given good support from the childminder whilst using large equipment, which gives them confidence. Children wear hats to protect them from the sun whilst playing outside. Children benefit from a healthy diet in line with their needs and parents wishes. Snack is a sociable time when children sit together at a small table and feed themselves with rice cakes and raisins. Children have plenty to drink as

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Helping children to be healthy

beakers of water are always available and the childminder reminds them to drink regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe because the childminder has identified and minimised hazards in her home. For example outside doors are kept secure; child gates are used appropriately and fire safety measures are in place. Children are very well supervised indoors and out by the vigilant childminder, who ensures they are within her sight or vision at all times. Children are helped to learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder reminds them to take care on the shallow garden steps. Safety is effectively promoted on outings as children use suitable car restraints and are strapped into buggies for walks. Children benefit from sufficient space in which to play and from an excellent range of accessible good quality toys and resources. Children's well-being is enhanced as the childminder understands her responsibilities regarding child protection in line with local procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have a good relationship with the friendly childminder. She supports them very well which helps their development. They sit on the floor and construct a track and play together. Children's emergent speech is encouraged through play as they repeat words and name cars and trucks. Children enjoy familiar rhymes, for example making appropriate hand movements to Twinkle, Twinkle and engage well with the childminder. Listening skills and understanding are developing as the children are asked to locate play food items. They set up a child sized table and chairs; find cups and saucers and have an enjoyable imaginary picnic. Children benefit from outings for example to parent and toddler groups, which helps them socialise with others. They are introduced to new experiences such as feeling sand between their toes at a visit to a sandpit at a local park. Children are happy, well-settled and confident. They make independent

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

choices about what they want to do and become engrossed in their play.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are well met because the childminder builds effective partnership with parents. These include settling in visits and daily discussion to share information. Children enjoy the range of accessible resources which appeal to both boys and girls, although there are limited resources to support their understanding about the differences between people. Suitable plans are in place to support children with special needs including full discussion with parents to establish care requirements. Children behave well as the childminder has effective measures in place reflecting the children's stage of development. She knows that very young children play alongside each other and have difficulty sharing; she makes effective use of distraction and gives clear explanations to help children begin to understand.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are made very welcome and feel at home at the setting as play areas have plenty of accessible toys which promotes their independence. The display of children's art work in the conservatory makes a cheerful environment. Children benefit because the childminder organises her time effectively to meet children's needs. For example they have opportunities for outings and varied choices for indoor and outdoor play. All required paperwork, including agreements with parents, are up-to-date and well-maintained which supports the care of children. Children are protected as the childminder understands she is responsible for them at all times and never leaves them in the care of others.

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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 care inspection the childminder agreed to improve the confidentiality of documentation and obtain permission for emergency treatment from parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has improved confidentiality as she keeps all documentation together in a file, which is kept inside a cupboard out of sight. Permission for emergency treatment has been obtained from parents. These measures effectively support the care of children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints 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 may see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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

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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 Ofsted is notified of any incidents • improve the resources available to help children learn about diversity

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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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